I just started thinking about this and could not find an existing thread.

If the new recorders with digital tuners can output an upconverted signal via HDMI, can some units output the tuned in native HD signal?

I realize you cannot record in HD. However if you can tune in HD and output HD, then why bother to downconvert then upconvert to output? Is there a reason why the recorder manufacturers would not want their machines to be used as HD tuners? Can some recorders do this? If you had a early "HD ready" TV, this may be another way to receive HD. Or perhaps connect to a PC.

There is ALOT of discussion of this in the DVD Recorders with HDTV tuners thread. A similar thread is over in the HDTV reception hardware area. We all were hoping for "ATSC passthrough" to get another way to add an HDTV tuner, but it hasn't happened on any of the released recorders. The speculation is that minimal changes were made from the previous (NTSC) models, and the high level of integration doesn't support an easy, low cost circuit board change to allow passthrough. Many of them use the term marketing term "SD tuner".

Maybe next year.....