DVD Recorder that allows digital channels to be added?

[VideoJockey2002]

I need a DVD Recorder that will re-scan for new digital ATSC channels without dropping the old ones. Why? We're going to drop cable TV and we'll be receiving all TV OTA (over the air). With an antenna rotor, we can, of course, pick up from multiple nearby cities and thereby improve program options.

I need to be able to point the antenna to one area and scan for active channels. Then I need to rotate the antenna to point to another area and scan any additional found additional channels into the lineup without deleting those already logged in. So on and so forth.

It would also be helpful to be able to add channels manually to the digital lineup (ATSC).

Anyone know of a DVD Recorder that can do this? Every recorder I've seen drops everything it once knew when it scans for channels and none that I've seen allows manually entering digital channels.

I think I'm looking for something that doesn't yet exist, but, I thought I'd ask.

[wabjxo]

I think the Philips DVDR3575H/37 will work for you. Once you do a digital channel scan, you can enter channels manually. I don't have an antenna... tried rabbit ears once as a test and have done lots of rescans on cable, but I think the digital channels entered via scan, then manually will continue to tune as long as it receives a signal. That's the "Now Scanning" function that always scans for a signal, then either gives a pic on strong signal or a blue screen when no signal. Once you enter all channels with the "Add" menu, those are memorized as valid channels that can be "tuned" with the channel up/down buttons. So, in one antenna position, the strong channels (ones pointed at) will give a pic and the other ones not pointed at will just give a blue screen. Turn the antenna and vice versa.

You can click my signature if you want more info on this DVDR.

[VideoJockey2002]

To: wabjxo

Nope. DVDR3575 can't do it and neither can any other Philips product.

See page 28 of your owner's manual: Adding channel is only available for the analog TV
channels.

(Don't blame me for the poorly constructed sentence above. It's simply a direct copy and paste from page 28 of the Philips owners manual PDF.)

Philips DVDR3575 Owners Manual Download

There are some tricks of sorts people have used on that recorder to be able to sometimes add digital channels, but, the process is way too time-consuming, cumbersome, and unreliable for me to consider.

Recorders in the European markets allow adding digital channels. As usual, Europe, Japan, and China get the best electronics. Here in the USA, we get dumbed-down DRM crap.

[wabjxo]

The manual is wrong, but then I'm not sure what I'm doing when I add digital channels ALL THE TIME!?

[VideoJockey2002]

wabjxo
PostPosted: May 17, 2008 09:49
The manual is wrong, but then I'm not sure what I'm doing when I add digital channels ALL THE TIME!?

Ok. The WalMart near me has 3 of these on a red label sale of $200 each. I'll go pick one up and try it.

Red Label: Dont' know what it means other than clearance. But! They give full credit up till 90 days so it's no real risk if it doesn't work.