DVD recorder impossible to find?

[arlene]

I have a new digital TV. Receive signal via antenna - no cable or satellite.
My old (analog) DVD recorder both recorded one channel while we watched another channel and also accepted programmed recording for the future.

Now I would like to buy a new DVD recorder with the same capabilities but I can't seem to find ANY!! Most allow recording only the channel you are watching. I assume it would need two tuners? Why could I not use the recorder's tuners to record and the TVs tuner to watch another channel?

Forgive the newbie questions - but can anyone suggest a brand that offers the tuner(s) and HDMI output that I had?

Thanks

[jagabo]

Split the antenna cable and send one side to the TV, one the the DVD recorder. Then connect the DVD recorder to the TV with s-video or composite cables. This will allow you to watch one channel on the TV while the DVD recorder is recording another. You'll have switch inputs on the TV though (ie, antenna input to watch live TV, s-video input to watch recorded material or program the recorder).

[xxiangg]

One of the device probably meet your requirement is DTV pal DVR
from disk network. Do a google "DTVpal DVR", you will find related
information. It worked wonderfully so far. Alghouth I cannot extract
the file from the device. I have to delete programs which are no longer
useful.

[johns0]

You should be able to connect the antenna to your dvd recorder cable in and have the cable out go to the tv and have s-video or composite from the dvd recorder going to the tv,that way you can watch the tv channels on regular antenna and also record antenna on the dvd recorder at the same time.

[handyguy]

DVD recorders let you record one program & watch another one. You just change your TV to what you want to watch, it's easy.

[usually_quiet]

I've never heard of a DVD recorder with 2 tuners. Some are meant to be used with a cable or satellite set-top-box and have no tuner, others have one tuner. Those with a tuner have a pass-through feature on coax out that will transmit all the channels received from your antenna, which your digital TV can tune.

DTV signals (and many DTV antennas) are more directional than their analog counteparts. If you need to rotate your antenna get a strong signal for some channels, you'll be limited to watching and recording those for which you are receiving a strong signal.

[JCWBobC]

The first JVC VHS/DVD Recorder, DR-MV1, had 2 tuners but it also had the "Loading" problem. I still have 2 of them connected just for the 2 tuners so my wife can switch back and forth between her reality shows.

Bob

[lordsmurf]

The first JVC VHS/DVD Recorder, DR-MV1, had 2 tuners but it also had the "Loading" problem. I still have 2 of them connected just for the 2 tuners so my wife can switch back and forth between her reality shows.
Bob

"LOADING" is not a problem, it's a generic message. Might as well say "ERROR DETECTED". Troubleshoot it, most are just dirty, cheap discs, or overheating (used too long, always left turned on). None of tha i s the machine's fault.

[JCWBobC]

I was using the DR-MV1 before it was even released on the market and I fixed JVC DVD recorders, consumer & professional, for over 2 years so I know all about it. I just used that term because everyone knows it as that.

Bob

[orsetto]

DVD recorders in general are a dying breed, and more specifically "DVD recorders with ATSC tuners that can actually record anything off-air reliably" are scarcer than icicles in the desert. If you want to avoid major headaches and disappointment, you really only have two choices: the Magnavox H2160 and the Panasonic EZ-28. Neither is easily found: the Magnavox is strictly from Wal*Mart online (Target has begun taking online pre-orders), and the Panasonic is almost never in stock at stores or online suppliers. You just have to keep checking availability or get put on a notification list.

The Magnavox runs $250 and is the only ATSC-capable recorder that includes an HDD, making it hands down the best value machine on todays market. The HDD holds 80 hours of recordings and allows you to edit out commercials easily before burning the DVD. The Magnavox ATSC tuner/timer is without question the only completely reliable one for unattended recording. Unfortunately the current production run of this model has a bug that prevents finalizing DVDs if there are any future timer events scheduled: you have to clear the timer screen before finalizing discs, then re-enter your timer events afterward. If you get in the habit of batch-finalizing discs, this can be worked around, but it is annoying.

The Panasonic runs about $200 and has no HDD. It is ruggedly made, its tuner is slightly better than the Magnavox, and its almost as reliable for off-air unattended recording (here and there the EZ-28 trips over itself and screws up a timer recording, but not nearly as often as other brands or other model Panasonics).

All other available ATSC-capable DVD recorders are loaded with issues, primarily frequent defective sensing of copy protection on programs that shut the recorder down and interrupt timer recordings unjustifiably. Since they don't really sell for that much cheaper than the two recommended models, there's no earthly reason to choose one of these problematic units.

The connection methods suggested by other members above will allow recording one program while watching something else. If you opt for the Magnavox, you can watch things you previously recorded on its hard drive while it simultaneously records something new, also you can "catch up" with a recording that already started (watch from the beginning while the machine continues recording the rest of the show).

[pepegot1]

Panasonic DVR-550H is a non-region code recorder-but cost $300-$500 depending on vendor. It should do everything-NTSC & PAL. Google it for more info.

[orsetto]

pepegot1, the original poster is looking for a timeshifting recorder that works with the current USA digital TV broadcasts. The international multi-region DVD/HDD models you suggest do not have the required tuners, and are probably out of the price range at $400-500 US. (BTW I think you meant to say "Pioneer 550H", the Panasonic model would be EH-58 ). The international Pioneer and Panasonic machines are indeed superior recorders, but pricey, and more suited to someone with cable/satellite service or someone who needs more flexibility for dubbing VHS tapes.

[kennywally]

I have a new digital TV. Receive signal via antenna - no cable or satellite.
My old (analog) DVD recorder both recorded one channel while we watched another channel and also accepted programmed recording for the future.

Now I would like to buy a new DVD recorder with the same capabilities but I can't seem to find ANY!! Most allow recording only the channel you are watching. I assume it would need two tuners? Why could I not use the recorder's tuners to record and the TVs tuner to watch another channel?

Forgive the newbie questions - but can anyone suggest a brand that offers the tuner(s) and HDMI output that I had?

Thanks

Arlene,

All you can really do is buy a cpl converter boxes and use them on the video inputs L1-L2 etc

That's what I do for my pannys....

The last one I was able to get was a philips, and I'm not that happy with it, but was surprised they just stopped making them too! The powers that be are controlling the electronics for what ever reason. It's not for lack of desire by folks to own them, they just don't want us having these things anymore.

Find a decent pioneer or panny and take care of it. It should last several years.

[Seeker47]

pepegot1, the original poster is looking for a timeshifting recorder that works with the current USA digital TV broadcasts. The international multi-region DVD/HDD models you suggest do not have the required tuners, and are probably out of the price range at $400-500 US. (BTW I think you meant to say "Pioneer 550H", the Panasonic model would be EH-58 ). The international Pioneer and Panasonic machines are indeed superior recorders, but pricey, and more suited to someone with cable/satellite service or someone who needs more flexibility for dubbing VHS tapes.

That is a more particular requirement, with options that are slim-to-none now, but as to the more general question we keep getting here every other month -- "how can I find a decent DVDR these days ?" -- I'm amazed by a couple things. 1) Just when you think the supply of Canadian 460s and 560s must have finally been exhausted, some more seem to turn up on eBay . . . and some of those are listed as never used, with a warranty no less. 2) A steady stream of used Pioneer HDD models (various, from at least the 510 on) keep turning up there also. Some of these are listed as having had very light use in a smoke-free, kid-free environment, etc. I find that credible, having bought one spare that way. Don't forget: a lot of buyers were befuddled by these things, and gave up on them very quickly. They have often been not hard to find, even very recently ! Granted, one will probably have to pay too much for the DVDR at this point (competition with others late to the party), and there is going to be something of a luck factor in choosing the right seller and the right unit. But you can't really say they are not available. An extra-cost Square Trade warranty -- if available -- is well advised, and may fill in some of the uncertainty.

Find a decent pioneer or panny and take care of it. It should last several years.

Oft-repeated advice for any important electronics: Putting good power protection ahead of it, and good ventilation around it, will improve your odds considerably.