Dvd recorder recommendations

[LVSaint]

I need a recorder essentially for recording from a Directv Tivo receiver (not sure if this is relevant but incase there are any incompabilities) It'd also be used for the occasional backup of VHS tapes from a seperate VCR. I do not need a HD on it. Remote needs to be usable (not like the POS Toshiba one I have for my current player) I would appreciate a good playback quality. Didn't want to spend much over $300. Toying with the JVC M10S or Panasonic E55 because they seem to have had good writeups.

What is in the pipeline for future releases? Might it be worth waiting a few months for a better choice?

[handyguy]

Better choices? Nope, I don't think there is going to be much coming up cause HDTV recorders are going to be the new thing.

recorder comments are at:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters

[samijubal]

Don't know about better choices, but prices do drop before and even more after Christmas.

[NightWing]

With base units hitting 150. Going to be intersting this xmas season.

[louthewiz]

Well in my opinion I always liked the panasonics.

[josse]

I would wait for the NEW JVC DR-MH30S due out in 1 month

[oldfart13]

I don't think the Hi-Def recorders are coming out in the USA for this Christmas. They seem to be a reality in Japan though according to sources at avsforum. Looks like most of the better release recorders like the 250 Gig Sony and 600 Gig Toshiba are destined only for Japan. Ah well, especially with Sony, since the death of Akio Morita the company seems to have lost it's edge in innovation as well as tailoring equipment for multiple markets. Mores the pity...

[siratfus]

Better choices? Nope, I don't think there is going to be much coming up cause HDTV recorders are going to be the new thing.

recorder comments are at:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters

I still don't know anybody in my circle of friends who has HDTV. Until the
I don't think we have to worry about HDTV recorders taking over anytime soon.

[Capmaster]

Better choices? Nope, I don't think there is going to be much coming up cause HDTV recorders are going to be the new thing.

recorder comments are at:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters

I still don't know anybody in my circle of friends who has HDTV. Until the
I don't think we have to worry about HDTV recorders taking over anytime soon.

I agree 100%. I think HD is going to be another Laser Disc ...good idea, but it won't catch on much. There's too large an installed base of non-HD TVs, satellite receivers and recorders ...especially now that recorders have hit the mainstream in a big way

[donpedro]

Isn't there a law or something that all channesl have to switch to HDTV by year 200X in US ? Or somethink like that...

[NightWing]

2006

[gshelley61]

All TV transmissions are supposed to be digital by then. Not necessarily HD. The deadline will probably get pushed back again, though. Not a high enough penetration of TV's with digital reception capability yet.

[Capmaster]

And even if it becomes law, there will be plenty of adapters on the market so you can continue using your analog TV equipment. There would be a huge outrage if everyone's analog equipment suddenly became obsolete

[NightWing]

Yep it from the same people bring {shoving} you BPL.

The plan reads cheep 100 dollar convert boxes.

The change over spot use to read when 85% of the market is HD then it starts to switch. But that has not worked.

[knitsafghans]

I am looking for a dvd recorder primarily to help me transfer our family's old VHS tapes to DVD. What would you recommend? A hard drive would be nice (we already have Tivo 2 tho - so it's not critical).
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Kim

[piano632]

I would wait for the NEW JVC DR-MH30S due out in 1 month

The JVC DR-HM30S (with 160 GB hard drive) is technically available now thru a few places. A few are being sold on amazon.com for $712. The cheapest I've seen is ggvideo.com for $595. I emailed them and they say they have them in stock and they are an authorized JVC dealer. I was going to get one myself, then I decided to just get the DR-M10SL instead since the only added benefit of the MH30 seems to be the hard drive and you could buy two M10's for the price of one MH30. I'm getting my M10 tomorrow and I'll see if it's as good as everyone says.

[tommyoz]

I currently own 3 recorders. Sony RDR-GX300, Pioneer DVR-310 & a Panasonic DMR-E65. As far as my opinion they fall in that order.

I want one with an HD and have been eyeing the JVC DR-MH30S for some time. I've also been noticing some people having problems with this unit. For this reason I plan on picking up the JVC DR-M10SL very soon.
I think once I do that the JVC will top the list. When and if I do buy one with an HD, it will probably be a Pioneer with a hard drive.

[Neuron]

Isn't there a law or something that all channesl have to switch to HDTV by year 200X in US ? Or somethink like that...

In 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all free, over-the-air TV would have to be broadcast digitally by the end of 2006. To accomplish the switchover, the FCC gave each commercial and public station an extra channel for broadcusting its digital signal. The FCC still hops to turn off the analog system and auction the reclaimed spectrum for public services and other uses by 2007. But that would not happen until ~85% of the households in each market can receive digital broadcust, even if that means going beyond the original date. A proposal under consideration would extend the deadline to 2009 and speed up the transition by counting people who receive digital broadcusts via cable or satellite as part of that group.

[linetest]

Don't get this confused as so many have. They must switch to Digital broadcasting, NOT High Definition. BIG difference. DirecTV is all digital, most cable companies are near completion of digital conversion. But HDTV will lag digital by a long time.

[hech54]

Don't get this confused as so many have. They must switch to Digital broadcasting, NOT High Definition...

Even if it IS just digital....I'll probably STILL need an adaptor for my old TV. Now if I can just remember where I put that hand-crank to get it to change channels.....

OK...back to the original question.
I have a Philips DVD Recorder (an old DVDR985) and LOVE it....BUT...Philips machines DO have some reliabilty issues. I've been extremely lucky with mine but then again....I use mine differently than most people. Mine only records....I've played maybe 5 DVD's on it in it's entire life. I have two other DVD Players that "play" my DVD's.
I think I'd go with a JVC if I had to change recorders.

[spiderman2k1]

I like Panasonic E80. I need a hard drive when I'm not home. And I really do not have time to edit on the PC. I also heard alot of good thing about JVC as well.

[donpedro]

Don't get this confused as so many have. They must switch to Digital broadcasting, NOT High Definition. BIG difference. DirecTV is all digital, most cable companies are near completion of digital conversion. But HDTV will lag digital by a long time.

Thanks... now I understand.