Looking for DVD Recorder recommendation for common setup

[kenw]

Hey all, in all my research so far this looks like the best place to get top notch recommendations so here goes. Some of my knowledge of what I'm trying to do is pretty basic but I searched through the forums as much as I could to get up to date info. What I need is DVD Recorder that will allow me to burn episodes from a few different TV series from a Comcast Motorola DCT6412 III DVR.

I'd like to be able to edit out commercials and break things up into chapters to easily switch between episodes, like a commercial DVD.

I've read about built-in flags, similar to the macrovision stuff on VCR tapes, that cable companies might be able to trip in the future and I'd like a recorder which will still be useful to record TV if this system goes into effect.

I'd rather not have to deal with firmware updates to mitigate this issue, or others, but I can live with it if thats the best choice.

I'd also like to be able to burn to different types of media in case it becomes necessary.

Great resolution and sound would be nice, but I'll mostly be burning analog/digital TV, not copying movies and such.

I should be able to figure out how to work the little features in something like this given a manual and some time, my wife isn't so good with electronics though so easy of use is almost a must.

Let me know if you need me to provide any other info. Thanks in advance for your recommendations all.

[Frobozz]

I've been doing all this with my Pioneer DVR-510H-S in concert with my Motorola 6412 and am very pleased with it. The current model is the DVR-533H-S. You need a recorder with a hard drive in order to edit out the commercials. If you did end up buying a JVC, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sony or even the LiteOn you probably will find that it meets all the needs you describe. What I did is download the manuals of ones I'd be most likely to purchase. That's when I found that the Pioneer's controls met my needs the best.

[kenw]

Thanks very much for the feedback Frobozz. I thought I would be needing one with a HD to do the commercial editing. I hadn't thought of checking the manuals first, thats plain brilliant.

I should have mentioned that I am hoping to keep the cost under $300, closer to the $200-$250 range. If the recorders with HD, if there are any, are very low quality then I guess I'll have to spend the extra money to get a solid piece of equipment.

[Frobozz]

The only recorder with hard drive I've seen for under $300 is the LiteOn for a penny under $300 at Costco. It's impressive in some ways and lacking in others, something that's pretty much true with all of the brands.