I'm looking for a DVD recorder that records in true 16x9, not anamorphic or letterboxed. I'd like it to have component inputs or better. Is there anything out there that will do the trick?

The Philips 3575, 3576 and Magnavox H2160 will rec. WS as described in this post. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12371974&postcount=62)

What is "true 16x9", that is not anamorphic? Does it imply recording a literal resolution of 853x480, or something?

What is "true 16x9", that is not anamorphic? Does it imply recording a literal resolution of 853x480, or something?
Are you suggesting that a 16:9 picture is always anamorphic? No, you can't be.

No, I am asking for better clarification of what "true 16x9" could be, if not anamorphic or letterbox, but still in the context of dvd recorders and presumably sd tier resolution. Does anybody know?

Given that the op is also asking for component inputs or better, perhaps he is actually referring to true hd recording, rather than "true 16x9"?...just guessing.

I'm looking for a DVD recorder that records in true 16x9, not anamorphic or letterboxed. I'd like it to have component inputs or better. Is there anything out there that will do the trick?

All SD DVDRs record a 4x3 frame, so any 16x9 picture must be anamorphic, or letterboxed.

I'm looking for a DVD recorder that records in true 16x9, not anamorphic or letterboxed.What you ask for is not a function of the recorder but rather a function of the video source. All recorders record a 720x480 frame exactly as it is sent to them by the source. If the source sends a 720x480 frame designed to be played back at 1.33 aspect ratio, then playback will look proper when displayed full screen on a 4:3 TV. If the source sends a 720x480 frame designed to be played back at 1.78 aspect ratio (often referred to as "anamorphic"), then playback will look proper when displayed full screen on a 16:9 ("widescreen") display. If the source is the S-video output of a cable STB, then most likely it will send a 720x480 frame designed to be played back at 1.33 aspect ratio. If the original image was widescreen format, the frame from the STB will contain a letterboxed widescreen image designed to be played back at 1.33 aspect ratio, and will only look proper when displayed full screen on a 4:3 TV. So, you need to be concerned with your source, not the recorder. Any recorder currently sold -- Panasonic, Toshiba, Philips, Magnavox -- will record exactly what it is sent.I'd like it to have component inputs or better. Is there anything out there that will do the trick?No current recorders have component inputs. In the future I think it more likely they will have cable card slots before they have component inputs. If by "better" you mean HDMI the answer is never. HDMI was created specifically to prevent copying. No DVD recorder sold in the US will ever have an HDMI input.

What is "true 16x9", that is not anamorphic? Does it imply recording a literal resolution of 853x480, or something?Assuming you are recording at 2hr mode or better, all full D1 broadcast video frames recorded by DVDR's are 720x480. So a "true 16x9" image can be defined as a 720x480 frame that is designed to be played back at an aspect ratio of 1.78 (often referred to as an "anamorphic" frame).

No recorder sold in the US will ever have an HDMI input.Well, except for this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=970473.

Well, except for this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=970473.
It's getting late. I forgot to put "DVD" in front of recorder. I'll modify it.