Is there any DVD recorder with built in HDD, DV input and 16:9 flagging?

Thanks in advance.

The Sony HX900 does that.

At least mine does. Through the S-Video input from my LG LST-4200A, I can record, say, a sporting event(Super Bowl for example) in it's original 16:9 broadcast.

Or I can lengthen and Squeeze it, and record it that way. I "think" this is an anamaphoric picture.

While on a 4:3 tv it will look streched and squeezed a little, I think on a 16:9 tv it will look fine. The sides will be slightly cut off on this type of recording "I think".

But good luck finding one, unless they are on EBay(they have a component input too boot!)

is the HX900 a recent model?

A proper flag means it should be letterboxed on a 4:3 TV (not look stretched), while filling the screen on a 16:9 TV.

The HX900 was model from around 2004, and originally went for $799+tax.

It boasts a:
160GB HDD
DVD -R/-RW/+R/+RW recordable compatible
Front DV input
Component input, located in the rear
12 bit DAC converter

It's recording modes are a little limited, as compared to other models with FR(Panasonic) modes, and MN(Pioneer) modes. These modes, especially Panasonic allow for the best looking possible picture while setting the exact amount of time needed for a recording.

Sony's recording modes are:(these are for the DVD times, NOT the HDD times)
HQ=1 hour
HSP=1 hour 30 min
SP=2 hours
LP=3 hours
EP=4 hours
SLP=6 hpurs

HDD time:
HQ+=21 hours
HQ=33 hours
HSP=51 hours
SP=67 hours
LP=103 hours
EP=137 hours
SLP=204 hours

Also, the Sony's editing capabilities are not as broad as the Panasonic, or the Pioneer.

If all you care about is editing commercials out, it has a siimple A-B editing feature.

Also has high speed burning.

A proper flag means it should be letterboxed on a 4:3 TV (not look stretched), while filling the screen on a 16:9 TV.

That's exactly what I want

That's exactly what I want

You have two choices. Sony and Toshiba. I believe Toshiba is a better choice. Take a look at the XS series by Toshiba. 2004 to 2006 models can do what you ask.

thank you. I'm downloading the pdf manual as I type. Good thing with Toshiba-brand, I can get it at wholesale :)

Can someone please TRY(I am really dumb when it comes to this for some reason, and can't quite figure out what people are talking about) what you mean by a 16:9 flag, and an anamorphic picture?

Do you mean, if i recorded this past Super Bowl on a HDD(SONY HX900) at 480i at it's original 16:9 image(this is being played back on a 4:3 tv, so there will be black bars. All my current tv's are 4:3), then this image will play back WITHOUT black bars on a 16:9 tv?

Somebody please try to explain this to this idiot(me) what all the hubub is about 16:9 flags/corrct playback/anamorphic picture playback/etc...

Can someone please TRY(I am really dumb when it comes to this for some reason, and can't quite figure out what people are talking about) what you mean by a 16:9 flag, and an anamorphic picture?

Do you mean, if i recorded this past Super Bowl on a HDD(SONY HX900) at 480i at it's original 16:9 image(this is being played back on a 4:3 tv, so there will be black bars. All my current tv's are 4:3), then this image will play back WITHOUT black bars on a 16:9 tv?

Somebody please try to explain this to this idiot(me) what all the hubub is about 16:9 flags/corrct playback/anamorphic picture playback/etc...

Unfortunately your 4:3 recordings will not play back correctly on a 16x9 display. Short answer - the black bars are part of your recording.

Here's a good link for anamorphic:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/anamorphic185demo.html

There are really two challenges. The first being able to record in full widescreen with no letterboxing. The second is setting the widescreen flag for proper playback on a 4:3 screen.

The first depends on the source. Most STB's will only do full widescreen 16x9 (480i) video via component output. So it is incumbent to find a DVD recorder with component inputs. With this setup you are able to record a full widescreen image. Or you have to find a source that can do full widescreen via svideo - rare.

The second is setting the widescreen flag. As mentioned this will allow for proper playback of a widescreen recording on a 4:3 display.

The Toshiba I mentioned will set the widescreen flag. But does not have component inputs. So in many cases it solves only half of the equation.

But based on the OP's question the Toshiba XS series can do what was asked.

Somebody please try to explain this to this idiot(me) what all the hubub is about 16:9 flags/corrct playback/anamorphic picture playback/etc...
You are correct. When a 16:9 anamorphic video is recorded there are flags that tell a DVD player how to display it. On a 16:9 TV it will fill the screen. On a 4:3 TV the DVD player will either add black bars to the top and bottom of the picture (letterbox) so it shows the full image on part of the screen, or it crops the sides off the picture (pan & scan) so it fills the TV screen with a cropped picture. What the DVD player chooses to do is user controlled in the player's video set up.

I saw a Sony VRD-MC3 portable DVD recorder. It claims that it supports 16:9 and 4:3 recording. I've also downloaded the manual but I can't seem to find any indication regarding 16:9 flagging.

Does iLink output from 16:9 recording already carries the flag thus the flag is carried over to the VRD-MC3?

Does iLink output from 16:9 recording already carries the flag thus the flag is carried over to the VRD-MC3?
I don't have that recorder but this may help. When I record in the anamorphic widescreen mode on my Canon DV camcorder, my Pioneer DVR-510H properly recognizes and flags the widescreen video when recording via either the iLink/Firewire or S-video. Therefore, I presume the flag is being carried over from the camcorder.

Hmm, strange because my Pioneer 640 doesn't do the flagging (via S-VHS) at all... and it doesn't have DV input (yeah, smart move, Pioneer)

The Pioneer 640 doesn't let you manually set the flag as a recording option like the Toshiba I mentioned. But if the source is sending the flag the Pioneer should pick it up. I believe this has been tested.

But no DV means no DV. There's no work around for that.

maybe it's my ye-olde camcorder doesn't send the flag (although it says "16:9 mode")? I use TRV230, IIRC the very first year any consumer camcorder has 16:9 mode.

I hope the Sony HC7 sends out 16:9 flag through its S-VHS output.

Search "Logic Design" in this forum. Logic Design markets a Video Filter that you can place between your recorder and the source to manually set the flag. The device sells for around $150 and has additional features. I chose to stick the $150 into a DVD recorder that could set the flag but it may be an option.

I try to avoid buying that unit because I'd rather put the $150 towards the purchase of (say) Toshiba RDXS35.

Besides allowing you to control the Aspect Ratio recording, the Video Filter also let's you control the CGMS flag. No DVD recorder can do that.

Besides allowing you to control the Aspect Ratio recording, the Video Filter also let's you control the CGMS flag. No DVD recorder can do that.

I agree it is a nice device. I've almost come close to pulling the trigger a few times. I don't have any CGMS issues at the moment. But you never know.

Besides allowing you to control the Aspect Ratio recording, the Video Filter also let's you control the CGMS flag. No DVD recorder can do that.

but I already own your previous version of the unit (bought before you came out with the aspect ratio flagging), so CGMS is not an issue for me (not that I'll ever use that unit anymore anyway)

You have two choices. Sony and Toshiba. I believe Toshiba is a better choice. Take a look at the XS series by Toshiba. 2004 to 2006 models can do what you ask.

Does the Toshiba D-RW2 allow you to set the 16:9 flag when recording from A/V inputs?

Does the Toshiba D-RW2 allow you to set the 16:9 flag when recording from A/V inputs?

I don't believe so. The new R5 and the D-RW2 have completely different user menus. I think they are of a different "family" of machines than the XS series.

I know the DKR2 does. And the R2. But not the new D-RW2.

It does get confusing. Here's a link for Toshiba manuals:

http://tacpservice.toshiba.com/ConsumerProductSupport/Manuals/dvdr.asp