Which DVD recorders with hard drive currently still being sold can record markers like the following:

When viewing a recording made on our Panasonic E100H DVDR, if I want to stop viewing in the middle, I can press the MARKER button and it records a marker at that spot. I can turn the recorder off and the next day I can play the recording, press skip+ and am back to the point I left off.

I tried this on a friend's Philips 3575 DVD recorder and found that it can only set markers using the dedicated marker function. IOW, I had to enter the marker function which displayed the video in a small window. Then set the markers. As you can see, this cannot work like my Panasonic recorder described above.

Are there any DVD recorders with hard drive currently being sold that can set markers while viewing the playback full screen like our Panasonic recorder can?

Thanks,
Sky

I think by markers you mean chapters?
If you only want to remember where you last left off(resume feature) I know the Magnavox 2160a can do that for every title on the HDD, and it's not something you need to do, it automatically resumes where you left off.
If you actually want to make chapters you'd probably need to look into a international Panasonic like the EH-68 or others. Click my sig.
The Tivo HD also remembers where it left off for each title but it has no DVD burner.

The "mark chapter locations on the HDD while watching normal fullscreen" feature disappeared a long time ago from everything but Panasonic DVD/HDD models. All other currently available DVD/HDD recorders (there aren't many left) treat chapter marking as a dedicated editing function, buried in a subscreen. So as jjeff says, your only option is a global import Panasonic EH-58 or EH-68. These have neither USA tuners or any sort of program guide, they are basic DVD/HDD models requiring an external signal source (cable box, satellite box, external ATSC tuner). Price is approx $400 from various import dealers.

The Magnavox H2160 from Wal*Mart is a newer revision of your friends Phillips, costs almost half the Panasonic EH-58 price, and is a decent recorder with built-in up-to-date ATSC/QAM digital tuner. It does not have the Panasonic full-screen marker ability, but like almost every other DVD/HDD recorder it automatically remembers where you left off watching each recording stored on its HDD. Modern DVD/HDD models, all brands, drop you right back where you left off anywhere on their HDDs, no need to put in permanent markers.

(Of course, if you like to put markers in while you watch a show full-screen to flag commercials for later deletion in chapter edit mode, thats a different story: your only option with that feature is again a Panasonic EH-58 or EH-68. Every other recent recorder uses dedicated editing subscreens.)

Modern DVD/HDD models, all brands, drop you right back where you left off anywhere on their HDDs, no need to put in permanent markers.


I agree with everything you said except the extremely handy resume feature which is not really present on Panasonic DVDRs:eek:
By not really I mean if you haven't recorded anything since to the HDD a Panasonic will remember the last place you left off but again only for that last title. This has got to be the most glaring omission on Panasonic DVDRs(at least IMO) it's really unfathomable why a resume for each and every title isn't available:confused:

Wow! Really? Thats bizarre! I mean, I could see where the old DMR-E100H might not have the HDD resume feature, but Panasonic didn't add it on later models when everyone else did? It figures that you can't get everything you want in the same machine. Makes a harder choice for Skylark: guess he'll have to choose between manual-only marking with a new Panasonic or automatic resume (but no manual marking) with a Magnavox.

CitiBear and jjeff,

So the Magnavox H2160 automatically remembers where I stop viewing for "every" title. That sounds good and it sounds like it will work like our current Panny recorder.

The other other advantage of the Panny method that CitiBear alluded to is I can watch a movie full screen and record markers at the start of every commercial. When editing out the commercials later, I can just press the skip+ button and jump to every commercial without having to fast forward through the whole movie to find the commercials. Very nice feature if editing out commercials later.

I read about some new Sony HD DVD recorders recently released in the UK but not in the U.S. Have dual tuners to record two programs symultaneously. I can't for the life of me find that article now and can't remember the model numbers. I'm in the U.S. so will have to hope they are released here eventually.

Thanks,
Sky

Yes the Maggy will remember for each title where you last left off, and give your a choice of resuming or beginning from the start.
If you like to mark commercials in full screen then the international Panasonic would fit your bill.
AFA that UK Sony, don't expect anything like that to cross the pond, DVDRs in the US is all but a dead product:(
If you're recording from a STB I'd suggest the Panny since it's more like your use to and the lack of a tuner shouldn't effect you. If you're recording from analog cable or OTA then the Maggy may be your best option.
Lastly if you think you'll ever want to record in full HD a Tivo HD would probably be your best bet. A Tivo HD with dual tuners and no fees runs around $600 but no it doesn't have a built in DVD burner or AFAIK it isn't currently a option for satellite users. Tivo also remembers where you left off in all it's titles but doesn't have chapters.

The UK Sonys will not be available in North America. As jjeff mentioned, the market here is dead: Europe does not have dirt-cheap rental recorders provided by cable/satellite suppliers, so many consumers there still buy $500 recorders without a second thought. Annual TV taxes in the UK subsidize multiple public HD digital off-air and satellite transmissions, creating a sizable demand for dual-tuner recorders. In the US nearly everyone has commercial cable or satellite service which doesn't mate well with independent recorders, so the integrated PVRs they offer as part of the monthly bill are vastly more popular.

Anyone still using a Panasonic of the E100H era is likely to be disappointed by the Magnavox. Its a decent unit in its own right, and is stupid affordable, but if you don't need its excellent off-air ATSC tuner the basic underlying recorder is a little crude compared to a Panasonic. While its auto-resume feature is an upgrade from the E100H, those used to full-screen chapter marking always regret losing that feature when they change brands. I'm immune to the charms of the full-screen marker feature, I don't get the obsession, but many here flatly refuse to consider any new recorder without it. If you have spent years pre-marking commercials in full screen for later deletion, you will hate not having that feature. Of course, saving $170 or more by choosing the Magnavox over the EH-58 can do wonders to ease the transition.;) Tough call.

That's very disappointing news about the new UK Sony recorders not making it to the U.S.

It seems that the only option now for U.S users is to build a HTPC if they want more functionality. I was thinking about using a laptop as a HTPC but after reading the humongous build your own HTPC thread, I'm thinking about building one from parts.

Thanks for all the helpful info!
Sky

The HTPC is not a cure-all: you need to have the right personality to enjoy using one. Some people in the HTPC forums promote them as if they were as easy to use as TiVOs, and it simply isn't true. There's a learning curve, multiple steps are involved to do any task, and of course you're stuck relying on Windows which can muck anything up at random. Its worth investing in if you want to make true High Definition recordings, especially AVCHD dvds compatible with BluRay. But for standard-def or convenience-oriented recording, DVD/HDD recorders are much easier overall. Theres a reason people bid the hell out of four-year-old second-hand Panasonics, Pioneers and Toshibas on eBay: the units have a utility unmatched elsewhere, those who want it are happy to spend $400 on a used recorder.

So cover yourself before jumping to HTPC: buy a new Panasonic EH-58, you can defray some of the cost by selling your E100H on eBay (you might get $200 for it). With the EH-58 doing the heavy lifting, you'll be able to concentrate on getting your customized HTPC up and running, at your own pace.

The HTPC is not a cure-all: you need to have the right personality to enjoy using one. Some people in the HTPC forums promote them as if they were as easy to use as TiVOs, and it simply isn't true. There's a learning curve, multiple steps are involved to do any task, and of course you're stuck relying on Windows which can muck anything up at random. Its worth investing in if you want to make true High Definition recordings, especially AVCHD dvds compatible with BluRay. But for standard-def or convenience-oriented recording, DVD/HDD recorders are much easier overall. Theres a reason people bid the hell out of four-year-old second-hand Panasonics, Pioneers and Toshibas on eBay: the units have a utility unmatched elsewhere, those who want it are happy to spend $400 on a used recorder.

So cover yourself before jumping to HTPC: buy a new Panasonic EH-58, you can defray some of the cost by selling your E100H on eBay (you might get $200 for it). With the EH-58 doing the heavy lifting, you'll be able to concentrate on getting your customized HTPC up and running, at your own pace.
Thanks a lot for your insight into the HTPC route. I can understand the "personality" part with the hassles of Windows systems. I plan to do much more investigation before I make the plunge. A low end HTPC system can be built for about $370 and adding a tuner and remote would bring the cost up to about $600 I think. Not too bad for an "adventure"...;)

I googled the Panasonic EH-58 and could not find any U.S. models being sold new. Bhphotovideo shows backoder only, dependent on manufacturer.

Thanks!
Sky

A low end HTPC system can be built for about $370 and adding a tuner and remote would bring the cost up to about $600 I think. Not too bad for an "adventure"...;)



Well, if it's to use a cableCARD (absolutely necessary if you want to record anything the cableco encrypts), then that makes it a bit more difficult. The system has to run Vista (or presumably 7, not sure if Beta can do it) and the BIOS has to be correct. You can't just shove a cableCARD tuner in any old system and expect it to work.

I googled the Panasonic EH-58 and could not find any U.S. models being sold new. Bhphotovideo shows backoder only, dependent on manufacturer.

I'm willing to bet all those EH-58s that B&H sold out of were sold to AVS members;). It usually isn't that difficult to get, and if you can afford it the identical EH-68 is another option (same recorder with larger HDD).

Along with B&H, you could try World Import here (http://www.world-import.com/Panasonic-dmr-eh58-region-free-dvd-recorder-with-harddrive.htm). Many on AVS have bought their global recorders from WI. Another good dealer is J&R Electronics here (http://www.jr.com/pioneer/pe/PIO_DVR560HS/), but they seem to no longer have the Pansonics, just the Pioneers. You could keep checking back, they had the EH-58 on their showroom floor as recently as two weeks ago when I was there. They also currently have great deals on refurbished Magnavox H2160s for $159, an incredibly good deal that often sells out within hours (they get a few at a time from the mfr).

Personally as long as you'd be spending $400 I might spend the extra $50 and get the bigger HDD and USB/SD features found on the EH-68, but it's your call.
Click my sig. for links on a few places to buy the international Panasonics. I think Luke (churchAVguy) recently posted the EH-68 was going to be on sale at WI in the very near future.

Well, if it's to use a cableCARD (absolutely necessary if you want to record anything the cableco encrypts), then that makes it a bit more difficult. The system has to run Vista (or presumably 7, not sure if Beta can do it) and the BIOS has to be correct. You can't just shove a cableCARD tuner in any old system and expect it to work.
I've been thinking (dangerous), I wonder if folks have setup HTPCs with an IR blaster that can change channels on the cable company's set-top box? I think that might be better than a tuner since it can tune scrambled channels.

If I build a HTPC, it will be a new build as described in the build your own HTPC thread in the Home Theater forum. The author has component lists for various ranges of HTPCs on page 85 of that thread.

Sky

CitiBear and jjeff,

After all the info you've provided, I think I'll pass on buying another DVDR and just stick with our E100H and EH50 recorders we already own. I can record analog on them and record digital on the cable company's DVR. For recordings that I want to burn on DVDs, it's a hassle copying recordings on the DVR to my E100H in real time but I'll just have to go with the flow on that.

If I find that I can record from the cable company's box (not DVR) to a HTPC using an IR blaster, then I might invest in a HTPC as a hobby. It would be nice to be able to edit recordings using video editing software and a mouse, and enter titles using a keyboard instead of with a remote control using step-by-step, scanning methods.

Thanks!
Sky

(Of course, if you like to put markers in while you watch a show full-screen to flag commercials for later deletion in chapter edit mode, thats a different story: your only option with that feature is again a Panasonic EH-58 or EH-68. Every other recent recorder uses dedicated editing subscreens.)

Uh, not so fast Citibear. How about the Toshiba RD-XS series? No sweat!

During playback you can insert chapter marks simply by pressing the CHAPTER DIVIDE button. What's nice is a 'chapter divide' marker shows on the screen for several seconds so you know one was put there. The editing interface behind the Toshiba RD-XS series is to insert chapter marks in an easy fashion, then 'open' up the title to create thumbnails of each chapter, then delete the thumbnails you wish.

Not only can these Toshibas insert chapter marks during playback, but you can even insert chapter marks on-the-fly during recording! Same thing: just press the CHAPTER DIVIDE button. I discovered this by accident only 8 months ago even though I've been using these recorders for four years now. I accidentally pressed the CHAPTER DIVIDE button while recording, saw an inperceptible blip on the screen, and after the recording, my title was split in two!

The Toshiba XS series was discontinued three years ago, when Toshiba summarily replaced them with OEM bargain-basement Funai DVD/VHS machines: end of story. The original poster Skylark is asking about what he can buy brand new, not what he can buy used that he'll spend the rest of his life regretting. You're about the only one here who recently bought a used Toshiba XS and didn't get a huge chunk bitten out of his ass: they are not recommendable as second-hand units to any but the most dedicated fanatic hobbyist. The old Pioneer 510 and 520 had the fullscreen chapter marking, and I wouldn't recommend those either, not even a second-hand E100H: none of the "vintage" machines are a good investment unless you have the tools and expertise to repair them. The burner and power supply issues on pre-2006 models will kill you if you don't shop extremely carefully. Those in the market today for something brand new, that might last a couple years and burn todays rotten media, can choose between the Panasonic and Pioneer global imports, or the Magnavox H2160 North American model. Thats it for DVD/HDD options. In the Europe/Asia markets, you also still have Sony selling Pioneer clones, but all current Toshibas are Funai sourced: the DVD/VHS/HDD model sold in Europe is based on the Magnavox H2160. The legendary XS is gone forever.

Uh, not so fast Citibear. How about the Toshiba RD-XS series? No sweat!

During playback you can insert chapter marks simply by pressing the CHAPTER DIVIDE button. What's nice is a 'chapter divide' marker shows on the screen for several seconds so you know one was put there. The editing interface behind the Toshiba RD-XS series is to insert chapter marks in an easy fashion, then 'open' up the title to create thumbnails of each chapter, then delete the thumbnails you wish.

Not only can these Toshibas insert chapter marks during playback, but you can even insert chapter marks on-the-fly during recording! Same thing: just press the CHAPTER DIVIDE button. I discovered this by accident only 8 months ago even though I've been using these recorders for four years now. I accidentally pressed the CHAPTER DIVIDE button while recording, saw an inperceptible blip on the screen, and after the recording, my title was split in two!
Hi Clevor,

It appears that the "insert chapter mark" that you are describing splits titles in two. If that's the case, that's different from the Panasonic "marker" which just provides skip to points in a title without dividing the title.

Thanks,
Sky

Hi Clevor,

It appears that the "insert chapter mark" that you are describing splits titles in two. If that's the case, that's different from the Panasonic "marker" which just provides skip to points in a title without dividing the title.

Thanks,
Sky

No, it creates chapters, which can be accessed in the chapter menu and edited, or skipped to like with your Panasonic, but the title remains one title.

I wouldn't consider myself a "dedicated fanatic hobbyist," yet I bought a second used Toshiba RD-XS35 off a well-known auction site earlier this year because I was so pleased with the features of my first, and my posterior is still intact.

In fact, I put both machines to work over the summer backing up VHS and miniDV tapes, and now that the new TV season is starting, I'm using the fine-functioning TVGOS in those machines to set up a hefty schedule of dozens of weekly recordings. BTW, I also have a Vista-based quad core HTPC hooked up via HDMI to a 100-inch InFocus X10 1080p projector, and I'm still quite impressed with the PQ of the RD-XS35s.

OK, maybe a fairly-dedicated semi-fanatic hobbyist.:o

No, it creates chapters, which can be accessed in the chapter menu and edited, or skipped to like with your Panasonic, but the title remains one title.

I wouldn't consider myself a "dedicated fanatic hobbyist," yet I bought a second used Toshiba RD-XS35 off a well-known auction site earlier this year because I was so pleased with the features of my first, and my posterior is still intact.

In fact, I put both machines to work over the summer backing up VHS and miniDV tapes, and now that the new TV season is starting, I'm using the fine-functioning TVGOS in those machines to set up a hefty schedule of dozens of weekly recordings. BTW, I also have a Vista-based quad core HTPC hooked up via HDMI to a 100-inch InFocus X10 1080p projector, and I'm still quite impressed with the PQ of the RD-XS35s.

OK, maybe a fairly-dedicated semi-fanatic hobbyist.:o
Thanks for the additional info. How much did you pay for your used RD-XS35?

Toshiba RD-XS35 (160 GB) DVD Recorder / HDD Recorder $259.99 USD

+ Shipping & Handling: $30.00 USD

Total: $289.99 USD

Toshiba RD-XS35 (160 GB) DVD Recorder / HDD Recorder $259.99 USD

+ Shipping & Handling: $30.00 USD

Total: $289.99 USD

Thanks again.
Sky

Wow, that's not bad considering used Pannys seem to go for almost twice that. I'd bet your Tosh. was closer to $500 new.