looking for dvd recorder that i can record on one channel while watching another.any suggestions?

Click #1 in my signature for two units with 160GB HDDs that'll do that.

Connect as shown in Sketch 1a or 1b here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12298409&postcount=10) and record on the DVDR while watching something else on the TV (or thru a STB, if in your system). The text gives more details.

Note that in order to watch one channel while recording another with these units, your TV must itself have a tuner. You record from the recorder's tuner, and watch from the TV's tuner.

If you have a projector or other tuner-less display, you'll have to get an external tuner in addition to the DVD recorder, so as to have two tuners.

[QUOTE=sp1720;15765132]looking for dvd recorder that i can record on one channel while watching another.any suggestion?
i have hd tv with tuner.

Then one of the two that Wajo suggested should work fine, or any DVDR with a digital tuner. Do you use cable, sat. or an antenna?

This is one of those questions that is deceptively vague: the concept of a "recorder that can record one channel while I watch another" means different things to different people with different signal sources. If you primarily use "off the air" free TV, any DVD recorder with an ATSC tuner will provide this functionality. If you have the el-cheapo cable TV plan, where you don't have a decoder box, any DVD recorder will do, although if your cable system has moved to the new QAM standard you'll need a recorder with an ATSC/QAM tuner. Keep in mind that cable companies are using the ATSC transition as an excuse to drop their "boxless" subscribers: QAM was supposed to allow the continuance of "boxless" service but cable companies are screwing with it right and left in an effort to make sure its stillborn. Don't count on having "boxless" service past 2012.

If you subscribe to premium cable or satellite service that requires a decoder box, NO dvd recorder ever made will allow you to watch one channel while recording another. For that you either need two decoder boxes (one for the TV, one for the recorder) or an upgrade to a "recording" decoder box (these will usually record from two different channels simultaneously while displaying a third on your TV). It is true that not all cable channels are scrambled, so if you're a total friggin gearhead you can wire your recorder, TV and decoder box in such a way that allows "partial" watch one channel/record another functionality. But most people find that hookup more trouble than its worth, since invariably the two channels you want to watch/record end up scrambled anyway.

It is true that not all cable channels are scrambled, so if you're a total friggin gearhead you can wire your recorder, TV and decoder box in such a way that allows "partial" watch one channel/record another functionality. But most people find that hookup more trouble than its worth, since invariably the two channels you want to watch/record end up scrambled anyway.

Well, I have to disagree a bit. I wouldn't call myself a "total friggin' gearhead," but I have the raw cable coax going to my Pio 640 DVDR, and S-Vid and R/L audio outs from my Moto 6412 2 channel cable DVR going to the DVDR as well. I find this VERY useful. Typically, I record lots of movies from TCM, The Daily Show, CNN, PBS and various other news programs direct from cable, on the DVDR. This saves lots of HDD space on the DVR, and frees up the two tuners for HD programs.

HD and premium/digital programs I record on the Moto DVR, I set up to transfer to the HDD of the Pio DVDR, if I want them on disc. I do this when I go to bed, using the OTR function of the DVDR, and the program is ready for editing when I get up. Very convenient.

looking for dvd recorder that i can record on one channel while watching another.any suggestions?


I too am looking for a DVD Recorder but not an expensive one. I receive my signal via OTA Antenna that is in my attic, actually I have 2 wired together. 1 is pointed west the other to the east so I can pick up more channels. I need an inexpensive way to record OTA digital TV programs while watching one on the TV. My TV does not have a tuner, I had to buy a converter box.

I too am looking for a DVD Recorder but not an expensive one. I receive my signal via OTA Antenna that is in my attic, actually I have 2 wired together. 1 is pointed west the other to the east so I can pick up more channels. I need an inexpensive way to record OTA digital TV programs while watching one on the TV. My TV does not have a tuner, I had to buy a converter box.
Please see my post here. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15772941#post15772941)