[opendtv] DVD recorders get digital ATSC tuners
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:33:48 -0500
These DVDRs should start appearing in spring. The most expensive one is
at least $40 cheaper than the NTSC-only DVDR I bought 3 1/4 years ago.
But, no CableCard slots listed for any of these. Why not? Let's see how
hard they will be to find in stock.
Bert
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DVD recorders get digital ATSC tuners
Posted by: Matthew Moskovciak
January 9, 2007, 2:07 PM PST
DVD recorders are old news, but they've been given a little shot in the
arm at CES 2007. Because of federal mandates that require any product
with an analog tuner to also include a digital tuner, we've seen several
DVD recorders with built-in ATSC tuners. That means you should be able
to pull in free, over-the-air HDTV with these new DVD recorders and an
antenna. The bottom line is that these recorders should be able to burn
downconverted high-definition programs from the digital HD tuner in the
correct wide-screen aspect ratio. Of course these burned discs won't be
high definition, but the picture quality should still be pretty good
since its starting with a high-definition source.
The most promising DVD recorders with ATSC tuners we saw were
Panasonic's. That's because the new Panasonics offer two of the same
useful features found on the company's previous recorders: DVD-RAM
support and a best-in-class LP mode. As we've discussed in reviews of
earlier Panasonic DVD recorders, DVD-RAM lets you record one show while
you're watching a previously recorded program on the same disc, allowing
it to work almost like a digital video recorder. And the Panasonic LP
mode is unique because it essentially looks just as good as SP mode, but
offers longer recording time. As a result, you can double the amount of
content on a DVD, with only a small loss in video quality.
Panasonic released four products with DVD recorders in them, and all of
them offering 1080p upscaling over their HDMI inputs, an ATSC tuner,
DVD-RAM recording, and their excellent LP mode. The DMR-EZ47V is a DVD
recorder/VCR combo, which also offers DivX playback, a FireWire input,
and an SD card slot. The DMR-EZ47V will have a list price of $380 when
it comes out in May. The DMR-EZ37V is the step-down DVD recorder/VCR
combo--which lacks the SD card slot--and will cost $330 when it comes
out in April. The DMR-EZ27 is just a DVD recorder and offers essentially
the same features as the DMR-EZ47V, minus the VCR. The DMR-EZ27 will be
available in May for $280. The DMR-EZ17 is the step-down DVD
recorder--which lacks the SD card slot--and will cost $230 when it comes
out in April.
Samsung is close behind Panasonic with the DVD-AVR960, which also has
support for recording to DVD-RAM. Along with its built-in ATSC tuner,
the DVD-AVR960 has an HDMI 1.3 output and will upconvert to 720p and
1080i resolutions. It's compatible with recording to the aforementioned
DVD-RAM, along with DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, and both +R and -R dual-layer
discs. The DVD-AVR950 also has a FireWire connection--so it can easily
connect to a camcorder--and DivX file playback. The DVD-AVR950 is
scheduled to be released in June for $320.
RCA also rolled out a DVD recorder/VCR with an ATSC tuner, the DRC8335.
The DRC8335 is compatible with DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW discs, and has a
FireWire input for connecting to camcorders. There's also a feature
called "TV Guardian" which apparently can detect offensive language and
mute it on playback. The DRC8335 has a list price of $350 and comes out
in April.
LG got in on the DVD recorder with an ATSC tuner game with a couple of
DVD recorders as well. There's the RC797T Digital Tuner Super Multi DVD
Recorder and VCR--yes, that's the full product name--as well as the
DR787T, which is the same as the RC797T without the VCR. However, LG
hasn't announced the full feature set, pricing, or availability for
these players.
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