At one time I had three functional VCRs. Now down to one that works, one that's dead, and one that's iffy.

I'm likely going to buy a DVD recorder, and I'm on a limited budget. I notice a big price jump from models that don't include a digital tuner to those that do.
What I would like to be able to do is record one program while watching another. Seems to me that's the purpose of having the tuner in the recorder.

However, all the research I've done gives me iffy responses. One fellow says it's flatly impossible. Others say no problem.

I have digital cable (Charter) with the digital decoder. I'm thinking I might need to install a splitter on the cable before it enters the cable box...

The unit I'm looking at is this one, the Panasonic DMR EZ228K:

which is currently on sale at Circuit City. (where we have a charge...)

Digital cable is mostly encrypted and requires a STB from your cc. If the DVDR is connected directly to the cable, the only channels you will be able to receive through the DVDR tuner are the legacy analog feed and the unencrypted (clear QAM) channels they are mandated to carry -- the local broadcast channels you would receive via antenna. If you want to be able to record all those extra channels you are paying for you will need a separate STB for the recorder. Then you will have the hassel of having to program both the STB and the DVDR to record anything. If you go that route then you would not need a recorder with a tuner. In that case the EZ-18 would do the job. But then if you have to rent a second STB You might look into giving back the STB and renting a dual tuner DVR from the cc. The cost difference might not be that great and the convenience of having an integrated recorder might be more than worth it.

At one time I had three functional VCRs. Now down to one that works, one that's dead, and one that's iffy.

I'm likely going to buy a DVD recorder, and I'm on a limited budget. I notice a big price jump from models that don't include a digital tuner to those that do.
What I would like to be able to do is record one program while watching another. Seems to me that's the purpose of having the tuner in the recorder.

However, all the research I've done gives me iffy responses. One fellow says it's flatly impossible. Others say no problem.

I have digital cable (Charter) with the digital decoder. I'm thinking I might need to install a splitter on the cable before it enters the cable box...

The unit I'm looking at is this one, the Panasonic DMR EZ228K:

which is currently on sale at Circuit City. (where we have a charge...)
I know of only 1 choice for you since you want to record 1 program and watch another (pre-recorded) program. Panasonic DMR-EZ47vk.

I have 2 combo VCR's Pansonic ES35VS (analog tuner only) and LG's RC797T (Digital + analog).

Here are the Pro's and Con's of each based on experiece and web reviews and blogs I've read, and what I would do if I had a time machine. Note that I use OTA receiption no cable/sat and primarily use DVD RAMs.


RC797T (PROS)
--Digital tuner allows recording (downconverted of course) on VCR deck, making for the best analog video you will EVER see on a standard VCR.
--Uses DVD RAMs for greater Recording/editing flexibility.
--30 commercial skip button works for both DVD and VCR decks. I know, its not a big deal for most people. But I watch a lot of football which is played in 30 second intervals. I can watch a 3 hour game in less than 2 hours!

RC797T (CONS)
--Even with DVD RAM's the Chase play/record watch feature is severly crippled. You can only watch the currently recording program. No other programs are availble and you cant even access any menu functions to check your recording schedule or switch decks to watch vcr.
--The Disk labling feature does not work at all.
--LP mode does not allow a full 4 hours of recording. Only 3hrs 54 minutes. This is a complete mystery to me and a disappintment when trying to record a long show or series of shows like the Grammys/Oscars/Superbowl.
--Reliability is questionable at best. Bought it new, sent it back twice for service.

ES35VS/EZ47vk (PROS)
--Uses RAMs (cartridges optional) the way they were ment to be used.
--I can Record a program to DVD Ram and watch a different previously recorded program(s) on the same disk. Other menu features are available, (some may not be usable until recording stops)
--the panasonic allows the ADVERTISED recording length in ALL MODES (plus a few bonus minutes) ie LP gets me 4 hrs 6 min ensuring I get ALL of my scheduled programs.
--LP playback is so good, it is nearly almost as good as SP mode...no kidding.
--You can save complex title names for each of your disks/chapters/titles to memory. And more information is saved with each recorded title such as the time and date and input source of the recording!!!
--S-video input.

ES35VS/EZ47vk (CONS)
--Only analog turner records to VCR deck (blog-o-sphere info for EZ47VK). Non-issue for my ES35VS since it is analog only.
--Thats it!.


If I had a time machine, I would pick the EZ47vk. More flexibility and better picture quality at the modes LP I mode frequently use, and I am not CHEATED out of the last 6 minutes of programming.

Hope this helps!!!

You might be sorry you didn't get a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), so at least check out the Philips DVDR3575H/37.

Click on my signature and check out Subject #3, "Advantages of a HDD."

It's also ideal for being able to watch one program while recording another. Check Subject #8, "Using Coax Passthru."

Refurb'd units are going for $199 directly from Philips w/free shipping. Many people have gotten one of those and are very happy with them... latest FW and hdwe updates applied AFAIK.

Thanks for all the quick replies. After due consideration, I decided to go with the Hard Drive model. Only 70 bucks more than the one I was looking at, and it appears to solve all the problems I was looking at.

Thanks for all the quick replies. After due consideration, I decided to go with the Hard Drive model. Only 70 bucks more than the one I was looking at, and it appears to solve all the problems I was looking at.

BTW, the Tivo S3 & Tivo HD will record two channels simultaneously (or record one channel and you can watch another channel live, including digital channels) from encrypted channels, with cable cards. It replaces your cable box, so sometimes can be a cost _savings_, even if one chooses to pay for Tivo monthly (instead of lifetime subscription).