Are companies changing product lines right now ?

[MrSpeed]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a DVD recorder and it seems like nothing is in stock. I was thinking Pioneer DVR-533H or maybe a cyberhome/ILO cheapy. I was looking to buy locally at a Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart so I could exchange the unit easily if needed.

What time of the year do companies change the product lines for recorders ?

I am also in the market for a new camcorder and I know that at the moment Panasonic is switching their product line.

[anitract]

Well we know Toshiba just made their switch to the 5 models. Not too sure on the other big brands. Pioneer, though, I hear is hard to find regardless.

[ROF]

The two times you see big product line switches is right around now and also around September/October. This doesn't mean things don't happen outside those two but it seems new product lines are introduced a few months before the holidays and a few months into the new year.

[Frobozz]

Pioneer says their new DVR-640H-S will be available in June. That's the month they've changed models for the past couple years.

[MrSpeed]

The DVR-533H is not at Amazon and I don't see any at Ebay.

About the only HD recorder Best Buy has was a Toshiba RD-KX50 for $350. I would have bought it but I don't think it has a DV input.

[davideck]

I bought an RD-KX50 about a month ago. I've used it everyday since and I love it!
It does have a DV input and it also has an HDMI output. An HDMI cable is also included.
It is essentially an 80GB version of the RD-XS52. In fact, the owners manual is the same for both units (which can be downloaded at the Toshiba website).