best dvd recorder for me?

In your case I would probably suggest the Magnavox 2160a. You can record many hours on it's HDD and only burn to DVD what your really want.
AFA time available on a DVD, you can only fit 2hrs of full D1 resolution on the Magnavox but many people are quite happy with the 2 1/2 or even 3+ hour 1/2 D1 mode. It all depends on your source, TV size/quality and expectations.
You could also look into a international Panasonic w/HDD but they aren't convenient to buy and they lack a tuner, only good for line input recordings. The Panasonics will be more expensive but have the ability to record to DL discs and also regular DVDs up to 4hrs in full D1. Of course 4hrs of full D1 will really macroblock badly with fast movement so many users record no more that 3 hrs using FR(flexible record) mode, which you tell the recorder exactly how much time you want to fit on the disc, from 1-8hrs. The Magnavox doesn't have FR but does have many preset speeds from 1 to 6 hrs.
DL discs are only available in write once R discs, not reusable RW discs.

I don't have a list, but the list of new DVDRs in the US with a HDD is very short.
If you want a built in digital tuner then the list is very short, only the Magnavox 2160a.
If you don't mind going with a international unit from places like World Import.com you've got several Panasonics along with last years Pioneers. They also probably sell LG and maybe Sony DVDRs, I'd probably stick to a Panny or Pio if going international or the Maggy if you want to get a recorder with a digital tuner and US support.
Click my Sig. for a list of the various intl. Pannys, I don't know much of the Pios.

To record from Satelite TV such as Bell or Shaw Direct you need to output the line out of the sat receiver to the line in of the DVDR. Thus a Digital QAM or ATSC tuner would be useless for you.

The only DVDR HDD recorder available in Canada is the SONY RDRHX780. It’s a clone of a PIONEER.

The RDRHX780 has:
-160GB HDD
-Analog tuner
-3 line inputs selectable (S-Video or Composite)
- Each input can be tweaked individually (chroma, luma, etc)
- MN selectable speed recording
- Records on –R, +R, -RW, +RW, -RDL, +RDL

I had this unit since Sept 2009. I’m in Canada – if you have questions – shoot.

Don’t pay more than $315 for this unit new.

RDRHX780

Yes that Sony would be fine, it's basically a re-badged Pioneer.
For more info on the Sony/Pioneer check out this thread that you started a little more than a year ago where you were given many good posts, nothing much has changed.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post15626296
Get the Sony while you can, I guess they're disappearing very quickly and probably won't be replaced. Avoid the Canadian LG. Unless you record from an antenna you probably don't need the digital tuner.

Your question has been asked and answered.

In post #4 jjeff already told you what's available from the US retailers and online dealers.
I told you in post #6 what's available in Canada.
That's it. There is nothing else left.

It's the Magnavox H2160MW9. It would work if you can get it, but I've only seen it available in the US from Walmart, Target, and maybe Sam's Club, and refurbed from J&R, and usually online. I don't know if they ship to Canada. New they're around $227-$280, used around $159. That's without shipping or any possible duty fees.

It's really no better than the Sony, as you said you use satellite and the digital tuners (and analog tuners) aren't used with sat signals. You would use the line-in inputs, either composite or S-Video. So that makes the Magnavox's tuner pretty much useless, and I imagine the Sony is easier to come by in your location.

But yeah, that or the Canadian Sony is all that is left for HDD recorders. There are a couple of DVD-only recorders (no hard drive), but they pale in comparison to HDD equipped ones.

If you plan on keeping it for a while get something new. The Sony is good and is on sale at Best Buy and Future Shop every once in a while. You can set it to record anything you want just like the VCR.

Chuck, I think people might have discovered that you asked the same questions in Jan 2009 and Jan 2010.

Now, you seem to have settled on a Pio 550, so maybe someone will be kind enough to run down the merits of the 550 for you?

If all you're doing is recording off of satellite, then pretty much any working HDD recorder will work fine. If you can buy your friend's Pioneer cheap, get it. At this point the available recorders for you are going to be way more alike than they are different. The Sony IS a Pioneer, and the Magnavox's digital tuner isn't applicable to your satellite needs. Just hook it up to a composite or S-video output on your sat box and go.

Wajo,

This discussion did seem familiar. Thanks for providing links pointing the way to a review of the earlier, still current, answers.


Chuck,

If you will review your earlier threads (as Wajo linked above) you will find that several AVS members have already provided detailed answers to your questions. As to the 2007 Pioneer 550, the below link is to your February 2009 thread inquiring about that model. In that thread AVS members again provided detailed answers to your questions:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post15708980

The only difference is that your friend's 550 has now had another year of use.

If you're holding out for the best deal, my January 2010 suggestions are still the same:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post17960508

Well after reading those replies Im just wondering why you're wasting everyone's time asking the same things again and again. No point to this reply really. I just thought Id waste your time too

As the old expression goes, It's time to Sh*t or get off the pot
Seriously your choices are diminishing by the day, grab the new Sony or used Pio, as a Canadian they're your best bet.

I wonder when we get down to one choice if he'll still ask if it's the best for him.