I've been doing a little research as of late. I'm trying to find a DVD recorder with ATSC tuning that doesn't suck.


From what I've heard all of the available models don't pass HD broadcasts. Are there any that do? Any ATSC models with a built in HDD?

All current DVD recorders with an ATSC tuner will downconvert the HD signal to 480p. As far as a recorder with an ATSC tuner and HDD, I don't think any are available in N. America yet.

The only recorder with an ATSC Tuner and a HDD that I know of is the Philips DVDR-3575H.

I have it and it was able to tune in HD channels, but just like Rikimaru said, it down-converts them to a Standard Definition.

The only recorder with an ATSC Tuner and a HDD that I know of is the Philips DVDR-3575H.

I have it and it was able to tune in HD channels, but just like Rikimaru said, it down-converts them to a Standard Definition.
But it does pass thru your HD signal intact to your TV via its ANT in/out passthru loop, doesn't it?

They all do.

But it does pass thru your HD signal intact to your TV via its ANT in/out passthru loop, doesn't it?

I think I forgot to mention that. Yeah, it sure does.

Crap... that's kinda what I though. So, should I wait until next year?

The only recorder with an ATSC Tuner and a HDD that I know of is the Philips DVDR-3575H.

I have it and it was able to tune in HD channels, but just like Rikimaru said, it down-converts them to a Standard Definition.


I don't know a whole lot about DVD recorders, but wanna take advantage of the sales and buy one online. I have a Sony 34" widescreen HD xbr970, and I'd like a DVD player which will allow me to record HD shows in atleast 480p quality.

I realize you can't record in HD, but how close does it get? Do all these recorders display and record HD channels, or are some unable to even display/record them. Was looking at getting a Toshiba D-R400 $99, Toshiba RS-TX20 $35, and Spectroniq SDR205 for $59. I wanna put my VHS to DVD, and record some things like live games onto DVD, which players a good deal for me?

I'd like a DVD player which will allow me to record HD shows in atleast 480p quality.


Sorry, but SD DVDRs only record in 480i.

I realize you can't record in HD, but how close does it get? Do all these recorders display and record HD channels, or are some unable to even display/record them.

They can receive HD channels, but they immediately down-convert those channels to SD (480i), both for recording and for display. Some units can upconvert to HD, but they always downconvert incoming HD signals first.

Thanks... So will they display/record in the same or near quality to standard DVDs? And if I get one I just wanna make sure it's dvd quality, not something distorted.

DVDs recorded on a good DVDR, at SP or better, from a good source, look very good, with distortion being rare and only in certain circumstances. Where homemade DVDs fall below commercial DVDs is that they can only be recorded in Dolby 2.0 stereo, not DD5.1, and few people can record anamorphic DVDs, since most sources, like say Comcast cable boxes, will not output an anamorphic signal on the S-Vid output.

So, old movies, which are in a 4x3 aspect ratio, and mono, your DVD will be fine. Your favorite widescreen action epic, with lots of DD5.1 effects, will be better if you buy a commercial one, IF you have a HDTV, and a DD 5.1 sound system. If not, the one you make will be darn close to as good as a commercial one, on your equipment.

People who can make anamorphic DVDs, because they can get an anamorphic output from their box, and use a HD source, downrezzed, report that they get DVDs with a PQ that is almost indistinguishable from a commercial anamorphic disc.

I can record anamorphic because I use the recorder's built-in QAM tuner and not a converter box. Just one more reason I hate cable companies' attempts to cram boxes down everyone's throats!

I can record anamorphic because I use the recorder's built-in QAM tuner and not a converter box. Just one more reason I hate cable companies' attempts to cram boxes down everyone's throats!

True, but that is only for unscrambled channels. You can't record anamorphic from say, HBO or Cinemax, because your QAM tuner can't tune them. Still, it is good to get what you can that way. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that when Comcast finally releases the new Panny 250GB DVR, it will put out an anamorphic signal on S-Vid...