Page 1 of DVD Recorders cannot record HDTV ???

Hi, I am looking at getting a DVD Recorder, probably a Panasonic DMREH50 with the hard drive. Whilst researching stuff about DVD recorders I have found a worrying item on Amazon stating that the current batch of DVD recorders cannot record from a HDTV signal ?!?!?

Is this correct, as even though I dont want HDTV as I do not have a television that currently would benefit HDTV, I would like the DVD recorder to last me a decent amount of time before becoming obsolete. I have heard that SKY are planning to start some HDTV broadcasting in the Spring, when are BBC, ITV etc going to follow suit.

I have such a perfect picture through my analogue aerial, and a perfect picture through my freeview box (I wont pay a subscription to SKY as I am too tight) that I am very happy at the moment.

Will HDTV replace the `normal` signals, or will I still be able to view with my current set-up for the foreseeable future. I need to justify the cost of a DVD Recorder (Tightness again), so I need to know that HDTV is not going to take over within the next 5-10 years.

So, to sum up my waffling:
Is it true that current DVD recorders cannot record HDTV ?
Can I choose not to receive HDTV for the next 5-10 years ?

I thank you

I`m sure you can`t record HDTV on todays DVD Recorders because for starters it`s a different system & also the DVD discs aren`t big enought to hold a film. I`ve a few HDTV movies & I have to hold them on the hard drive because of there size. 2 of them are 16 GIG EACH. I once saw Gone with the wind & it was around 28 GIG. Even a DVD recorder with 160 gig hard drive would soon run out of space unless you wiped them, more or less making the concept of a DVD Recorder a waste.

I`d get the DVD recorder of your choice now & get a dedicated HD Blue Ray or whatever when they become cheap enough. I`m sure you`ll get many years use out of it anyway.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 1st February 2006, 09:56

At the risk of being rude - well.... Duh !

TV, and DVD is all standard Definition. HDTV is a new specification, new signal, and requires a different storage and delivery medium. That`s why there`s all this fuss about about BluRay and HDDVD.

Anyway, the only way to get HDTV in the near future will be with the Sky system, and that comes with a PVR anyway, so unless you want to archive or lend material, you can still record it on that at HD. Beyond that is the future, and no-one knows that, and buying technology with a hope that it will be completely compatible is hopeless.

PS. Just re-read your message, and you`re stressing about your DVD recorder not recording HD, when you don`t even have a HDTV ?! I think you need to get your priorities right. Sorry, but you can`t future-proof that far in advance with the way the market is changing at the moment.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 1st February 2006, 10:08

The point being that I don`t want HDTV, I was checking that we are not going to be forced to have HDTV in the near future.

No.

All the best,

Dr 42%er.


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

you could record onto vhs though non?

or not?