I was in BB the other day and asked the sales guy if they had any hard drive DVDRs. He said they stopped carrying those because of piracy issues. I had to force myself from LOL. He further stated that the manufacturers have scaled back and are ceasing production due to piracy issues.

More likely because of the digital/analog tuner issue.

YMMV

I think they did it because there is a HUGH market for these things and they just don't want any part of it. :D Well, it make just as much sense. Piracy issues, and this excuse from a company that has aggressively sold the SIMA devices.

This was a Best Buy clerk, for goodness sake. What would you expect out of him? Informed commentary? I would be willing to bet that within 1 year after the FCC March mandate goes into effect, we will see HDD models from the manufacturers that still want to be players in this market.

If it was a piracy issue, then why sell any version of DVD Recorder? HDD equipped or not.

Please forgive my ignorance. What FCC mandate?

Imagine approaching a BB clerk and asking "Why should I spend so much more for a DVD recorder with a hard drive when these others are much less money?" The consumer is better off that they don't carry the better-equipped recorders.

Please forgive my ignorance. What FCC mandate?
An FCC rule that, after March 1, no recorders, TVs, etc. THAT HAVE A TV TUNER can be imported into the U.S. or transported in interstate commerce by "responsible parties" (mfgrs, assemblers and importers) if the tuner is not digital/ATSC.

Does not apply to items that don't have a TV tuner, or to other "non-responsible" parties such as sellers, distributors, B&Ms, etc...so they can sell all their existing stock on hand for as long as they are able.

So distributors aren't covered in the mandate? :(

Darn. I was hoping that come March 1st, stores in States without distribution centers would be getting the new stuff as soon as the old sells out.

I need a new 20" TV and a DVD recorder and don't want to have to wait too long... :rolleyes:

An FCC rule that, after March 1, no recorders, TVs, etc. THAT HAVE A TV TUNER can be imported into the U.S. or transported in interstate commerce by "responsible parties" (mfgrs, assemblers and importers) if the tuner is not digital/ATSC.

Does not apply to items that don't have a TV tuner, or to other "non-responsible" parties such as sellers, distributors, B&Ms, etc...so they can sell all their existing stock on hand for as long as they are able.

My interpretation is that a unit having a tuner needs to handle both digital and analog signals. I don't interpret this to mean recorders NEED tuners.

I could be wrong?

My interpretation is that a unit having a tuner needs to handle both digital and analog signals. I don't interpret this to mean recorders NEED tuners.

I could be wrong?

I believe you are right. It has to have an ATSC capable tuner or no tuner at all. Some of the new 2007 models have no tuners.

The new Philips that was just announced has an SDTV ATSC/NTSC tuner. Meaning it is a standard definition tuner with ATSC digital capabilities. I believe for those with tuners this will be the norm.

edit - There is no mndate saying that the tuner must have analog capabilities. It is just practical to include NTSC capabilities so you can pick up analog cable signals for example. And continue to pick up analog OTA for the next couple of years.

Here's the Philips link that uses the SDTV ATSC/NTSC language:

http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvdr3505_37/dvdr3505_37_pss_aen.pdf

A new (to this store) Sylvania combo unit (DVDr+VCR) w/ 160 GB HDD showed up at the local Walmart. Still no sign of digital tuner units.

Wow, a DVD/VCR combo with a 160 GB HDD -- that's extremely unusual! The only other one I can think of that is in current production is the Panasonic EH-75, and that only has an 80 GB HDD.

I can't find it on Walmart's web site -- what are they selling it for?

Wow, a DVD/VCR combo with a 160 GB HDD -- that's extremely unusual! The only other one I can think of that is in current production is the Panasonic EH-75, and that only has an 80 GB HDD.

I can't find it on Walmart's web site -- what are they selling it for?

$298 here in N.C. I keep almost buying one everytime I am in WallyWorld. So far - I just keep saying no. If they would drop it to $250 or even $275 I would jump!

FWIW I am betting the VCR Unit is the same as the one in the SV2000 VHS/DVD combo unit. If so - not too good. FF and REW are deadly slow on the SV2000. And I do mean deadly slow. Also, per the Sylvania manual.... No highspeed viewable search if tape is recorded in SP mode. On my unit you can only FF view SP tapes at about 4-6x..... Pretty slow. :(

It does have a stereo tuner which is nice.