Disclaimer: I'm a no0b. Please don't flame me. I've been googling all day and still haven't found a straight answer.

I would like to buy a DVR (doesn't have to have a dvdr) with a HDD that records true HDTV 1080i and plays back HDTV, plays/rewinds live tv, and has video library capabilities. So far I've seen ones that record 480i or ones that record 1080i but output 480i. Any suggestions? No Tivo or pc based solutions please.

You might find that putting so many restrictions on the possible solution to your inquiry might result in a distinct lack of useful replies. :(

You might find that putting so many restrictions on the possible solution to your inquiry might result in a distinct lack of useful replies. :(
hmm i guess your right. i just want to be able to record hdtv and play it back in true hd.

hows that?

If you can find one:

The LG 3410a. It has firewire out to record from using a D-VHS recorder.

(I'm not really sure if it'll rewind live TV.)

There's a big thread here on it.

Any of indigita AVHDD recorders and clones (DVR2080, 2160, Toshiba Symbio, etc).
All those will require a firewire-equipped TV and/or cable STB.

i just want to be able to record hdtv and play it back in true hd.The TiVo Series 3 will do that.

Also, in addition to the discontinued LG 3410a Rammitinski mentioned, there is also the discontinued Sony DHG HDD-500. Of course, both are no longer produced, which is a big concern.

I too find this troubling. I have an LG (forget the model name) that is an HDTV tuner and records to the HDD, just like my Panasonic DV-E80H does for analog TV. I use it for OTA HDTV. Its reception is great, its GUI sucks! The Panasonic is easy to use and intuitive, I still haven't figured out the LG...so ultimately I never use it.

I've been looking for a better HDTV DVR that is not associated with cable/sat companies (for OTA use) and isn't TIVO. Because I refuse to pay $100+/mo for the little TV I watch, when putting an antenna on the roof gets me 90% of what I like to watch for free.

Seems there is either 1) no market for this as everyone is happy to be shafted by the cable/sat companies, or 2) TIVO is the new microsoft and have killed off any competition it had.

So what are we to do?