What is the difference between a Panasonic DMR-ES46VS (silver) and the newer DMR-EZ47 besides sliver and black ?

The 47 has an HDTV Tuner in it.

The 47 has an HDTV Tuner in it.

Thanks, Bill. SAM's had the 46 listed on their web site but not at my local outlet. I'll wait for the HDTV tuner equipped 47 to arrive. I saw it for $309 at Circuit City online.

If you need/want one with an HDTV tuner than I would wait.

Also Sam's & Costco (Think Warehouse Clubs) has a version of the 47 that is exactly the same as the "Regular" 47 except it comes with a "Free" HDMI Cable in it & sells for $299 plus Sam's & Costco have the 90 day return policy if your unhappy with it or want to exchance it.

The 47 has an HDTV Tuner in it.

Slight correction - it doesn't have an HDTV tuner. It has a digital ATSC/QAM tuner that displays digital channels in STANDARD RESOLUTION or upconverts via the HDMI output. It does not pass through a non-upconverted HD signal. This nuance makes a big difference to some people.

vferrari is correct.

But to me it's still an HDTV Tuner just like a radio that has an FM Tuner in it but only plays the FM stations in Monaural Audio not Stereo it's still tunning in FM Stations just like the ATSC Tuner is tuning in HDTV Channels even if it's not displaying them or recording them in HI-Def.

It's really too bad that the Recorders don't pass on the Hi-Def signals but they probably did it on purpose so they would'nt loose any sales because you still have to buy a new HD TV or an HDTV Tuner (ATSC) to watch Hi-Def HDTV signals.

But to me it's still an HDTV Tuner just like a radio that has an FM Tuner in it but only plays the FM stations in Monaural Audio not Stereo it's still tunning in FM Stations just like the ATSC Tuner is tuning in HDTV Channels even if it's not displaying them or recording them in HI-Def.

It's really too bad that the Recorders don't pass on the Hi-Def signals but they probably did it on purpose so they would'nt loose any sales because you still have to buy a new HD TV or an HDTV Tuner (ATSC) to watch Hi-Def HDTV signals.

Not all digital channels tuned by ATSC/QAM tuners are HIGH DEFINITION in the first place (i.e., digital channel does not equal high def [720p or higher]). Many digital channels are broadcast in standard definition. It is a common misconception that all digital OTA/QAM channels are high definition.

The primary reason that these recorders do not pass the hi def signals is probably because they need to down rez HD signals in the first place in order to be properly recorded to DVD which can only accept a 480i NTSC stream.

Circuit City online has the DMR-EZ47VK on sale with $30 rebate. I paid $289.99 puls tax after reabate.