Best HDD Recorder with DL recording ability

[disco_al]

I am very seriously looking to buy a good DVD Recorder that has the following distinct abilties:

1. Hard Disk Drive
2. Dual-Layer (DL) Recording

It also needs to have Firewire (DV/iLink) input, and perhaps the deciding factor, it needs to make "reliable" DVDs. By this i mean that i need the DVDs that i make to be as "perfect", "flawless" and compatible with regular DVD players as possible, as i will be sending many DVDs to other people with varying types & ages of DVD players. This last point may be moot, as maybe all Recorders now are as good as each other when it comes to Disc quality & reliability, but from past experience i have had rough times with making DVDs that do not always come out as i had hoped, and cannot always be distibuted due to playback issues.

I have seen from some research that some DVD recorders may produce a better quality picture or even DVD on the whole than others (i.e. Panasonic over LG?), and this is also something i am looking for from this machine - as good a picture as possible.

As for my restrictions, I believe that to get a machine with what i need will cost me approx $500, and i am prepared to spend this amount for a machine that will make me happy!
I know that the HDD size can affect the cost, but i think i will only require the smaller HDD (I see 80GB is about the smallest standard), and this should keep down the cost somewhat.
If i can get a machine for under $500 i will be extremely happy!

For those wondering, I plan on using the machine in the following ways with my existing equipment (Philips DVD player, TimeWarnerCable DVR, VCR & miniDV camcorder):

1. Transferring miniDV tapes onto HDD (via Firewire) then onto DVD
2. Transferring VHS tapes onto HDD then onto DVD
3. Transferring shows from my DVR onto HDD then onto DVD
4. Transferring DVDs (non-copyright) onto HDD then onto DVD

It is because of what i already have and what i want to do that i want a DL Recorder, and only need a small HDD.


I have done some research both here and at AVS forum, and videohelp's website it currently lists 30 machines that have: HDD, DL (+/-) Recording, and Firewire input (the four things i need the machine to have). Of those 30, there are Panasonic (15), Pioneer (8), Samsung (4), Sony (3), so these seem to be the somewhat "reccomended" brands.

I know that some of these machines are Non-US (i.e. European) models, and that some are probably discontinued or older, models, which reduces the number of models right for me. I also know that there are other machines available not on that list for whatever reasons, such as LG machines and newer machines.

So this is why I need some help from my fellow videophiles at videohelp.
I know that there are a few machines out there that meet my needed criteria, but on the whole there aren't that many new machines that do both DL recording and have a HDD, and i'm sure that some perform better than others. This is why i am starting this new thread to address this topic directly.

I thank you firstly for reading this far ( ) and secondly for any help you can give. I appreciate it and any advice you can give will be put too good use!

[StuR]

For HDD and DL your probably looking at a late Pioneer.
I'm not that keen on DL due to the big jump in cost and whether they'll have compatablity/longevity problems which a good quality DVD shouldn't have as it's pretty well tested now. If you change your mind regards the DL a Toshiba XS model DVD/HDD would be another option (no DL rec.)

[Bigdaddybrat]

I Picked up a Panasonic recorder with the same requirements back in March... I was looking for something easy to use... copy from my DV and had up converting. I have be Extremely happy with the machine... and my wife uses it more than i do! I think that the picture quality is great... that said its a 20" CRT in the bedroom... PVR works great and so does the TVGuide feature. I love it.

I got mine at Bestbuy on sale for 450 CND, and have notice that the price has been reduced since then.

Good luck!

[handyguy]

I think you need one with hd tuners too.

[trhouse]

Are you concerned about what happens at the layer change? So far I have not tested any brand of hdd recorder that can handle the layer change without a momentary glitch. The only dvd recorder I have tested that handles the layer change flawlessly is the LG RC797T combo unit.

[disco_al]

Thanks for the replies!

I may have to sacrifice the Dual-Layer recording (which is a big shame), as if i want one it will cost over $500 and i'll have to buy it from an online store that may or may not be reliable, such as world-import. From those stores though, i was considering the Pioneer 541H, 550H, 640H & 645H (However at least one of these may or may not have DV input).
I really want to make sure that i buy this type of machine from a good store with a reliable extended warranty, as i've heard nearly all DVD Recorders can have failure problems within a couple of years, if you're unlucky, so the assurance of knowing that if it fails i have no hassle (or at least minor hassle!) to replace it is very appealing. In fact i think i'd choose this over DL recording right now.

This is why i'm being "pushed" towards the Philips 3575H, which i can get from Walmart, or Circuit City Online, with extended warranty, for under $350.
Also after reading about how the new Walmart Magnavox is basically the 3575 but with 80GB HDD and few less features, i did consider it, but i believe they took out the DV input which i need so that ruled that machine out.

So unless anybody can tell me of either;
1. A reliable place to buy a HDD-DVD-DL-Recorder with good warranty or,
2. A machine better than the Philips 3575 for what i need to do (or any reasons why i shouldn't buy the 3575), then please tell me.

I will take a look and see if can buy either any Toshiba XS models, or the LG RC797T, as reccomended by the above posts.

As for HD tuners - it's not something i need right now (I have nothing HD in my house, and won't for probably 5 years, by which time i'm sure i'll be looking to get a new DVD-Recorder, by then a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD Recorder probably!), so any HD ability of any DVD-Recorder (upconvert, HD tuner) is not important.

Thanks for the help.

[lordsmurf]

The Magnavox is a stripped-down Philips, as far as I can tell. No MPEG-4, no DV, only 80GB HDD. I bought them both, need to return the Magnavox. Keeping the Philips.

What do you need to record? That would really determine if you need the Toshiba or the Philips. Both machines are great. I was going to buy the Toshiba myself, but opted for the Philips, due to my recording needs (QAM/ATSC, no VHS, 160GB as PVR).

[disco_al]

Thanks for the reply. For those wondering, I plan on using the machine in the following ways with my existing equipment (Philips DVD player, TimeWarnerCable DVR, VCR & miniDV camcorder):

1. Transferring miniDV tapes onto HDD (via Firewire) then onto DVD
2. Transferring VHS tapes onto HDD then onto DVD
3. Transferring shows from my DVR onto HDD then onto DVD
4. Transferring DVDs (non-copyright) onto HDD then onto DV