I have the newere polaroid DVD recorder with HD from walmart and I can't stand it. It works when it wants to, it seems. I need a recorder with an ATSC tuner and ability to do chase play. I guess I don't need the hard drive as long as I can chase my football games this fall. What are my options and your recommendations? I have a few days left to return the Polaroid to Wallyworld.

Thanks!
Troy

Visit your local Circuit City to check if they have any Panasonic E75s left. This is Panny's final hard drive model to be released-that we know of. It's been discontinued, but there may be some left in the stores. It has a hdd as mentioned, and can use RAM discs as well as -/+Rs and RWs. Chase play while recording to drive or a RAM disc. You can edit out ads on the drive before burning to a disc. It's pricey, but worth it if you can afford it.

If none are available, then any of the non hdd Panny models, old (withiout the new digital tuners) or new, are solid choices. Panny models are RAM capable, which means you'll be able to do chase playback on them.
Toshiba models are also RAM capable, so if you see one, give it a look over.

Once you get over the 2-hour mode on a DVD recording, sports might not look all that good.

I'd check out the newer Philips HDD model, which is available at Walmart and Circuit City's website. It has an ATSC tuner, where the EH75 does not - but, the EH75 is probably a better built machine.

If you wouldn't mind such an expensive solution, you could pair the EH75 (if you can find one) with a Samsung DHG-H260F ATSC/QAM tuner.