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DVD Recorder with built in Digital HDTV Tuner - does it exist?

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R

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Only after purchasing a Toshiba DR560 did I woefully discover that it doesn't actually display its digital channels in HD - it downconverts it to 480i, even though there is "1080p" plastered all over the box.


All I need is a simple DVD recorder with a built in digital tuner that can actually display the OTA in HD to go with my "HD ready" TV. After some searching, all I found was an old discontinued Sony model. Surely more must exist?
 
J

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#2 ·
I know of no DVDR currently or ever that did what you want. All DVDRs downconvert HD to SD for both recording and even watching through it's tuner. As you found out many DVDRs are misleading, including the Sony you mentioned. They may upconvert up to 1080p but they all start out at 480i


If you're talking about the Sony HDD DVRs they are HD but they also don't have a DVD burner.

Other than the Sony HDDs or a few other HD DVRs your best choice would be a Samsung 260 HD tuner or the newly released DTV Pal DVR. None of your choices would include a DVD burner though.
 
R

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
The Sony I spoke of is model RDR-GXD455. Sony's own website states its a "DVD Recorder with HD Tuner - The RDR-GXD455 DVD recorder captures near-HD image quality and features an HD tuner for watching HD televisions programs. "


But... its no longer for sale. There must be other companies that offer something similar, no? If not, that seems like a huge untapped market. I mean, it seems to me like it would be MORE work to take the OTA HD signal and downconvert it to SD rather than just displaying it in its true HD format.
 
K

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#4 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by raddiux /forum/post/15410190


The Sony I spoke of is model RDR-GXD455. Sony's own website states its a "DVD Recorder with HD Tuner - The RDR-GXD455 DVD recorder captures near-HD image quality and features an HD tuner for watching HD televisions programs.
Click to expand...

That is sony marketing-speak for: it has an ATSC tuner and can tune in all 18 DTV modes (which includes the 6 HD modes) but it down-scales everything to 480i before output or recording, which we at sony like to call "near-HD image quality".
 
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J

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#8 ·
Many of us were hoping that the 2008 model DVDRs would have HD passthru but no such luck. I guess there is always '09 but personally I'd just keep the Toshiba if you like it otherwise. DVDRs aren't exactly getting too many new features now days
in fact I wouldn't be surprised to see some of the big names actually pulling the plug in the US market.
 
C

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#9 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by raddiux /forum/post/15407949


All I need is a simple DVD recorder with a built in digital tuner that can actually display the OTA in HD to go with my "HD ready" TV. After some searching, all I found was an old discontinued Sony model. Surely more must exist?
Click to expand...

Until a fully functional Blu-ray recorder is released in the US, it seems unlikely that what you are suggesting will ever be available. There are (allegedly) copyright reasons why the current recorders are deliberately made to function this way. Many on this forum are with you, and unhappy about the situation with down-rezzing of HD material, but that is the state with every machine from every manufacturer right now.
 
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I

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#10 ·
Okay, total newb here...

I'm expecting a DR560 to arrive any minute now on the UPS truck.

I never realized that it doesn't display HD channels at 720p or even 1080i when used as a tuner. What about the shows you record and then playback? Does it at least upconvert those?

Since the signal goes through the DVD-R (in my case on OTA antenna) then out to the TV, you can still use the TV tuner when the DVD-R isn't on, right?

Thanks for any help here! I already miss my VCR...
 
J

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#11 ·
If the 560 has a VCR it probably has a RF modulator which you would want to disable to be able to use your TVs tuner when the 560 is on. If the 560 doesn't have a VCR then you're OK.

Yes all DVDRs that upconvert also upconvert the tuner output. It may or may not be much better than the tuner not upconverted. Also all DVDs, even ones you've recorded will be upconverted, if using HDMI.
 
R

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#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski /forum/post/15415154


Nope. Downscaled to 480i, and then upscaled back. Not true HD.


Maybe the HD material looks HD to you, because sometimes the Pannies can make it appear that way.
Click to expand...

You're right. A comparison with a real HD tuner showed the difference.


My mistake...
 
R

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by IgoEric /forum/post/15417468


Okay, total newb here...

I'm expecting a DR560 to arrive any minute now on the UPS truck.

I never realized that it doesn't display HD channels at 720p or even 1080i when used as a tuner. What about the shows you record and then playback? Does it at least upconvert those?

Since the signal goes through the DVD-R (in my case on OTA antenna) then out to the TV, you can still use the TV tuner when the DVD-R isn't on, right?

Thanks for any help here! I already miss my VCR...
Click to expand...

It doesn't output anything higher than 480p. As a matter of fact, it only seems to output on 480p using component cables. For whatever reason, the HDMI output seems interlaced and is noticeably inferior to the component connection, no matter what the HDMI setting is set to.


I probably wouldn't be as upset over this if it was made more clear in the specs sheet what these DVDR's can and can't do. But since it has 1080p plastered all over the box, and has outputs for all forms of HD content, you'd assume it can output the TV signal (not record) in HD. I mean, most channels are broadcasting natively in HD, it seems like it would be more work to downscale to SD and then upconvert back to HD rather than just leaving it as HD.
 
C

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#18 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by IgoEric /forum/post/15418503


LOL. True, but the old VCR was a "no brainer". I've had the same RCA 4-head for 8 years and never had any problems with it. Now it's pretty much been rendered useless by the digital transition.
Click to expand...

Not useless at all. It can always be used as a doorstop, a boat anchor, lots of stuff.
 
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