Three uses I’d like to achieve:

(1) My DirecTV DVR is always on the threshold of becoming full so I’d like to archive some programs from the DVR onto DVD. Will these be encrypted or whatnot and prevent me from recording them? I’m not talking movie channels or pay-per-view programming. Just routine programs.

(2) I’d like to archive some DVC videotapes to DVD. Is there any way to do this in a pure digital realm (i.e. using the Firewire/1394 connection from my camcorder to a DVD recorder) or will I have to use the composite video inputs on the DVR?

(3) Is there a way to transfer video from a camcorder to a DVD recorder as a single file, (no chapters, menus etc) just straight .AVI or .MPEG?

I think the answer to this is “no” but are there any Blu-Ray players that also record in SD? I’d like to get a DVD recorder and Blu-Ray player but don’t want to buy two units. IIRC, the DMR-EZ48K upconverts to 1080p but…

I’m currently considering Panasonic’s DMR-EZ48K but am open to anything.

Thanks

Click #1 in my signature to check out the only DVDRs with 160GB HDD and analog and digital tuners in North America. Will satisfy your three rqmts... all recordings, even from camcorders, will be MPEG-2, per DVD std.

Of the two described there, I'd recommend the Magnavox H2160MW9.

I think the answer to this is “no” but are there any Blu-Ray players that also record in SD? I’d like to get a DVD recorder and Blu-Ray player but don’t want to buy two units.


Not that I know of, at least not in the United States. Japan and I think Down Under have Blu-Ray recorders that may or may not record to SD DVD. Don't count on them making it to our shores anytime soon, though.

I’m currently considering Panasonic’s DMR-EZ48K but am open to anything.

Thanks

This thread has extensive discussion of the 2008 DMR-EZ48/485 combo recorders:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1014536

While the DMR-EZ48/485 is a good product (but not without problems), the Philips 3576 (around $300) and the Magnavox 2160 (around $250) HDD/DVD models are more flexible and reliable.

With a high incidence of Panasonic customer returns, Panasonic DMR-EZ48/485 models are commonly available "refurbished" or "open box" on the secondary market. "Refurbished By Panasonic" DMR-EZ48/485 models with a "Panasonic Refurbished Product Warranty" offered online by "Panasonic Dealers/Authorized Resellers" are usually priced below $150, including shipping.

Three uses I’d like to achieve:

(1) My DirecTV DVR is always on the threshold of becoming full so I’d like to archive some programs from the DVR onto DVD. Will these be encrypted or whatnot and prevent me from recording them? I’m not talking movie channels or pay-per-view programming. Just routine programs.

(2) I’d like to archive some DVC videotapes to DVD. Is there any way to do this in a pure digital realm (i.e. using the Firewire/1394 connection from my camcorder to a DVD recorder) or will I have to use the composite video inputs on the DVR?

(3) Is there a way to transfer video from a camcorder to a DVD recorder as a single file, (no chapters, menus etc) just straight .AVI or .MPEG?

I think the answer to this is “no” but are there any Blu-Ray players that also record in SD? I’d like to get a DVD recorder and Blu-Ray player but don’t want to buy two units. IIRC, the DMR-EZ48K upconverts to 1080p but…

I’m currently considering Panasonic’s DMR-EZ48K but am open to anything.

ThanksI do all of the above with the EZ48. I've never encountered any copy protection on DirecTV. I've transferred hundreds of camcorder tapes via firewire. I'm not sure about the avi/mpeg question. To be honest I've never looked at the files. I assume they're vobs, but you could easily rip them to other formats if you wanted. However, you can set recordings to default to no menus and just play the video, which is the way I typically do it. (Before finalizing, go to DVD Management and select Playback Will Start With First Recording).

If I had a bigger budget I'd have gotten a HDD Magnavox/Philips due to more flexibility. But I found a like new 48 on ebay for under $80 shipped and couldn't pass it up. I also never have the time or inclination to edit my recordings, so I don't really miss the HDD. The 48 is also a pretty decent upconverting DVD player. Lastly, since DirecTV pads all recordings by a couple of minutes, they never fit perfectly on a disk. So the panny's flexible recording mode is indispensable.

You can get the manual HERE (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Video/DVD-Recorders-Players/DVD-Recorders/model.DMR-EZ48VK).

Three uses I’d like to achieve:

(1) My DirecTV DVR is always on the threshold of becoming full so I’d like to archive some programs from the DVR onto DVD. Will these be encrypted or whatnot and prevent me from recording them? I’m not talking movie channels or pay-per-view programming. Just routine programs.

(2) I’d like to archive some DVC videotapes to DVD. Is there any way to do this in a pure digital realm (i.e. using the Firewire/1394 connection from my camcorder to a DVD recorder) or will I have to use the composite video inputs on the DVR?

(3) Is there a way to transfer video from a camcorder to a DVD recorder as a single file, (no chapters, menus etc) just straight .AVI or .MPEG?

I think the answer to this is “no” but are there any Blu-Ray players that also record in SD? I’d like to get a DVD recorder and Blu-Ray player but don’t want to buy two units. IIRC, the DMR-EZ48K upconverts to 1080p but…

I’m currently considering Panasonic’s DMR-EZ48K but am open to anything.

Thanks

1. I would doubt it using something like a Panasonic or even one of the two HDD units mentioned, but maybe with a newer Toshiba or Sony. They are very CP prone.
2. Even with units with DV inputs I've been told it's not a straight digital to digital recording. It would still need to be re-encoded. Only a computer copy will be bit for bit. Don't use composite, S-video will give you better results.
3. I don't use a digital camcorder but I would think if you're camcorder records to DVD then a PC transfer would do what you want. Otherwise if your camcorder records to HDD and you're able to hook it directly to your computer that would also be another option. Again the only way to get bit for bit copies would be using a computer.

If you're trying to preserve best quality I'd agree with you on the Panasonic but would probably suggest the EA-18 (tunerless VHSless) and add a external VCR. They can still be found new online for ~$50 or better yet a decent looking one at a second hand store. I see them there frequently for <$20 for much better quality than you can buy new for $50.

We don't really have a decent EA-18 thread but you could check out the EZ-28 thread which is very similar but has the digital tuner which adds to it's buggieness. Panasonic also makes a EA-38 which has the VHS but again lacks the tuner and it's problems. From your description is doesn't sound like a tuner wouldn't do anything other than cause problems. There is even less at AVS on the EA-38 than the EA-18. Both are kind of orphan units.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1007613

I'm in a bit of the same situation as the original poster.

First, a little background:

TV: Sony Bravia KDL-32ML130
Sat Box: DirecTV DVR (SD)

Like the OP, the DVR is starting to fill up and I'm looking to offload it.

I have a Samsung DVD-VR357. It worked well for awhile and then it would not initialize a DVD+RW. It would still record to DVD-R but took a LONG time to finish up. Prior to it crapping out on me I likely would have recommended it to others (for recording). One thing I did find lacking was that the VHS to DVD recording (unless one was looking just to straight copy the entire tape to a DVD, which was just one touch). What it had in recording it lacked in playback as DVDs would often be jumpy (which I had seen before on a Coby DVD Player that a relative had been given as a gift). I tried the HDMI for a bit but after a few minutes I couldn't stand the buggy sound, unhooked the HDMI cable and got my money back from Radio Shack.

I've since decided to get a Sony SLV-D380P DVD Player/VCR Combo (well, actually a second one) and hook that into a DVD Recorder.

Basically, my needs are as follows:
-Tuner: Not needed (rooftop antenna came down a decade ago)
-Upconversion/HDMI: Not a necessity (as mentioned above, plus the Bravia isn't exactly short on inputs)
-Combo DVDR/VHS: Actually trying to avoid this as mentioned above
-HDD: Not so sure I really need it, if I want to do any serious editing or compilation of stuff I'd put it on DVD+RW and then compile/edit on a computer

I'd have no problem buying a Video Filter if needed to knockout bad copy protection flags so the unit's propensity to have problems wouldn't be a complete deal-breaker.

Based on that, anyone have recommendations? I can provide more info if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Three uses I’d like to achieve:

(1) My DirecTV DVR is always on the threshold of becoming full so I’d like to archive some programs from the DVR onto DVD.What DirecTV DVR do you have?

If you have a DirecTV HR2x DVR, you can connect a 1TB external eSATA drive (~$100) to triple your DVR's storage capacity.

If you have a DirecTivo DVR, you can replace the built-in drive with a 1.0 TB model (~$100) to increase capacity by 7.5x - 24x.

Wanted to open a similar thread. :) Thanks to everyone.

Found a Panasonic DMR-EA18K at videodirect.com for $175. Hopefully it works out.

Found a Panasonic DMR-EA18K at videodirect.com for $175. Hopefully it works out.
There appear to be many more places better than VideoDirect, with lower prices and many more positive buyer ratings, as listed here. (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GGLJ_enUS202US202&q=Panasonic+DMR-EA18K&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=9575200481924756487#ps-sellers)

There appear to be many more places better than VideoDirect, with lower prices and many more positive buyer ratings, as listed here.

Alas, VideoDirect was one of the few that had it listed as "in stock." As I said, I'll post how it works out.

Forgive my ignorance (I am a newbie), but how does a DVR's picture quality compare with the recording from a Tivo like paid subscription device. I like the recording features offered by Tivo, but do not want to pay a monthly subscription.

Sorry, meant to say DVD recorder instead of DVR in the post above.

If you mean between a standard definition TiVo and a DVD recorder, there shouldn't be a much of a difference.

Since an analog-tunered TiVo can't record digital HD - even downscaled - HD doesn't apply in that case.

But there can be slight differences in PQ from the built-in tuners of different DVD recorders, especially with digital signals. The Panasonics do an exceptional job with recording downscaled HD from their internal, digital tuners.

Now, as far as an HD Tivo, it's PQ will be better in almost all instances - especially with an HD source. The HD coming out of it will truly be HD - not like all DVD recorders, which scale everything, even HD, to 480i standard definition. Even if you're using it on an SDTV, the better will be better.

But, like I said, if you don't want to pay any TiVo fees, and if you want a DVD recorder that'll give you about the best PQ out there, the Panasonics are a good choice. The downscaled HD looks very nice, even on an HD display.

Click #1 in my sig. for two units with 160GB HDD and analog/digital tuners that do a great job in recording, esp. fast-action sports and other programs with fast movement, even at some lower rez rec modes.

Yeah, if you're considering the TiVo because you want a DVR for time-shifting a lot of programs, the Magnavox and Philips hard drive recorders would be the best fee-less, SD equivalent to a Tivo.

I just mainly mentioned the Panasonics because you were concentrating mainly on picture quality. But they really are meant for different usages than a TiVo.

You may or may not know but Tivo also has a "lifetime service" option. It's spendy at $399 + the Tivo HD which Sears has/had been running for $199. I paid ~$580 for mine with lifetime. As others have said HD is HD, all DVDRs will be SD of varying quality depending on speed/brand and source.

Found a Panasonic DMR-EA18K at videodirect.com for $175. Hopefully it works out.

Just got off the phone with videodirect. They're "hoping to get them" from Panasonic "next week."

Sigh. I even entertained buying a 3576 before they went out of stock at walmart.com. Should've just done it. At least videodirect hasn't charged my credit card yet.

At one point Targets B&M carried the EA-18 for ~$180 and also the EZ-48 for $299. I haven't seen any EA-18's locally for several months though. Too bad really, I think it was a nice option for STB users.

Just got off the phone with videodirect. They're "hoping to get them" from Panasonic "next week."

Sigh. I even entertained buying a 3576 before they went out of stock at walmart.com. Should've just done it. At least videodirect hasn't charged my credit card yet.

I was "stalking" the 3576 page at walmart.com and it came up as "in stock." They're currently processing my order. I guess I'll be bookmarking wajo's sticky on it.

Yeah, Wajo just alerted people that it was in stock earlier, in case anyone wants to grab one.