Greetings All,
I've tried to look through the VAST amount of information here, but haven't come up with anything that applies to what I want, so...

I presently have a ...
JVC DR-MX1S(u) DVD/HDD Video Recorder & Video Cassette Recorder (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-m7A6I5DpggD/p_257DRMX1S/JVC-DR-MX1S.html?print=Y)
Other than being one of the most sluggish units I've ever had, I enjoyed having the HDD, which I have connected to Comcast Dig Pref. at this time.
Given that this unit is NTSC, I don't have a very large selection of channels to record, and before long, I'll need a DTA Converter to continue.

I may be asking for the "sky" but, here's what I'd like to have...

Another recorder, with more than the 80GB HDD that this one has.
One that has NTSC, ATSC, and QAM Tuners in it, and
I'd like for it to have "F" connector inputs to both NTSC and ATSC. (2)
At least a 30+ Program Timer would be nice.

Note:
Given that my TV's have HD tuners already, having a HD Tuner in this new unit is not necessary, or would it be necessary when recording HD to be viewed later ?
and...
Would a TIVO unit be applicable to my needs, I don't understand the application of TIVO actually !

I suspect that fulfilling ALL of the above conditions is going to be nearly impossible, but, if you know of a unit (reputable mfg) that comes close, I'd like to take a look.
Thanks for your help up front.

Have a good Day ! :)
S.W.

Your TV's built-in HD tuner is only used when you watch a live program through the TV. External recorders cannot use your TV's HD tuner, so they must have built-in HD tuner capability if you want to record and play HD.

You need to determine whether you want to record actual HD. If you want to record HD to be viewed later, then you can rule out DVD recorders. No DVD recorder can record or output actual HD. All DVD recorders are based on older technology that is limited to SD recording and playback; they downconvert HD programs to SD resolution.

If you don't care about HD quality and are fine with SD, then take a look Magnavox H2160. If you want to record actual HD from an antenna for playback later, then you have two basic choices-- the DTVPal DVR and TivoHD. If you also want to record HD from cable, then your choices are the Moxi (cable only) and the TivoHD (cable and OTA support).

Comparison Chart: Magnavox H2160 v. DTVPal DVR v. TivoHD v. Moxi (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=17063966&postcount=6)

FAQS
Magnavox H2160 (SD only recording and playback) (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657)
DTVPal DVR (OTA HD recording and playback) (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15369795#post15369795)
TivoHD (OTA+cable HD recording and playback) (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11126048&postcount=2)

Since you don't understand TiVo, here's a video demo of my box (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNvgoLVzijE&hd=1) on Youtube. Youtube is often slow, so you may have to give it a few minutes to buffer.

Greetings All,
I've tried to look through the VAST amount of information here, but haven't come up with anything that applies to what I want, so...

here's what I'd like to have...

Another recorder, with more than the 80GB HDD that this one has.
One that has NTSC, ATSC, and QAM Tuners in it, and
I'd like for it to have "F" connector inputs to both NTSC and ATSC. (2)
At least a 30+ Program Timer would be nice.

Note:
Given that my TV's have HD tuners already, having a HD Tuner in this new unit is not necessary, or would it be necessary when recording HD to be viewed later ?
and...
Would a TIVO unit be applicable to my needs, I don't understand the application of TIVO actually !

I suspect that fulfilling ALL of the above conditions is going to be nearly impossible, but, if you know of a unit (reputable mfg) that comes close, I'd like to take a look.

Devices that may record to removable recording media (DVDs) do not record HD in HD quality due to Digital Rights Management considerations. All these devices downconvert HD to Standard Definition (SD) even if the device may pass through a HD signal to another device, such as a TV.

With your passage "through the VAST amount of information here" you've somehow managed to overlook several threads dealing with the Philips and Magnavox HDD/DVD recorders.

Start over by looking at the first post in Wajo's sticky thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657

Wajo's first post is the gateway to a "VAST amount of information."

Here's a clue, what you want is the Magnavox H2160MW9 HDD/DVD recorder.

I'm not aware of any DVD recorders that have split NTSC and ATSC inputs nor do I understand the purpose for such an arrangement. Without a "tuner," connectivity options become more restrictive. I'm confused, at first you make analog and digital tuners a requirement but then write that you don't need a tuner?

All of these matters are well addressed in Wajo's sticky thread.

I have no experience with TIVO so I'll leave comment on that product to others.

How important is picture quality?
I've read that the older JVCs were know for above average PQ, what speed do you use most on your JVC?
I think the Magnavox 2160a basically meets all your criteria other than two RF inputs, like all current DVDRs(with a tuner) it only has one ATSC/QAM/NTSC input.
A Tivo HD(that does have 2 rf inputs, cable and antenna) with no monthly fees will set you back ~$600 while the Maggy is $227 new and $160 refurbished.
You don't need a HD tuner to record the HD programs, the Maggy upconverts to HD while the Tivo is true HD.

Does your Comcast system use Motorola equipment? If so, I would suggest you try the Comcast DVR for $15-$16/mo. Request the new Motorola DCX3400 HDTV DVR, as this features a 320GB capacity. This will introduce you to modern, name-based recording. You'll be glad you did.

You already have digital cable so there should be no added cost (beyond their DVR fee) with this option.

I presently have a ...
JVC DR-MX1S(u) DVD/HDD Video Recorder & Video Cassette Recorder [/URL]
Other than being one of the most sluggish units I've ever had, I enjoyed having the HDD, which I have connected to Comcast Dig Pref. at this time.
Given that this unit is NTSC, I don't have a very large selection of channels to record, and before long, I'll need a DTA Converter to continue.


Scrambled channels require a Comcast "converter" box or Cable Card inserted and activated in a compatible device. Comcast "digital" or HD "converter" boxes come with a variety of outputs. HDMI (video and audio) and component blue, green, red video (plus white/red audio) provide HD and digital video output; whereas RF, S-Video (plus white/red audio) and composite yellow (plus white/red audio) provide analog output. Six of of my digital tuner recorders do not record through their digital tuners as they are enslaved to a Comcast converter box or derive their RF signals through pass throughs from other recorders enslaved to a Comcast converter box. Any time a "converter" box becomes part of the DVD recorder setup the digital tuners in those DVD recorders are bypassed. So, in reality these six "digital tuner" recorders make use of the same analog RF or analog composite inputs as does your JVC recorder.

Currently I have three other digital tuner recorders connected directly to the Comcast coax cable feed. These recorders' clear QAM tuners receive and record around thirty analog channels and around 115 clear QAM "digital" sub-channels directly through the Comcast coax cable feed. Apart from recording directly through the RF input no current model DVD recorders have "digital" inputs so they have only the limited RF source to record "digital signals." As many cable companies are in the process of scrambling all but the "must carry" programming the "advantage" of clear QAM tuner equipped devices is being lost. So, what does this mean for the future? Your JVC recorder will soon not be so obsolete as you may believe.

Even with the most up-to-date DVD recorders Comcast will soon welcome you back to the "Analog Age" when you record DVDs.

WOW !,
Fellas THANK ALL OF YOU, for the replies !
It's going to take me a while to plow through this,
and I may have more questions.

Have a good Day ! :)
S.W.