When are blu-ray dvd recorders coming out?

Julian S

I don't mean burners for computers; I'm aware those have been available for over a year. I'm talking about stand alone dvd recorders for TVs; like a vcr or current dvd recorders. I currently have one but it's just a regular dvd recroder that obviously can't read or record blu-ray discs, and more importantly isn't HDMI so I have to record everything in 480i. I'm so sick of it! I want full 1080p dag-blasted!

Answer
Don't hold your breath. There are huge issues with the legal rights of broadcast owners and other DRM junk that will certainly limit what you can record off the air, and even then may prevent recording at full resolution. This could very well make Blu-ray recorders only useful for recording from HD camcorders.

You're better off building up a PVR computer using an HDTV tuner card. You can fit a decent amount of high-quality 1080p video on a dual or single-layer DVD and be compatible with Blu-ray players. Tuner cards that handle over-the-air ATSC and HD cable are less than $100. Snapstream Beyond TV should make for an excellent PVR that anyone in the family can figure out.

If you already have a standalone HD PVR, there may well be a way to extract the saved video from the hard drive so you can edit and burn them on the computer.

Hi does anyone make a Blu-ray / DVD hard disk recorder?

jammyking@

does anyone know if you can buy a DVD recorder with hard disk that also plays blu-ray disks? i was thinking of buying a dvd recorder but would prefer to have one that plays blu-ray too. I've heard of blu-ray disc recorders in the near future but i'm not interested in that yet as it will be way to expensive.

Answer
At the present the only way to do this is to get a Blu-ray/DVD player/recorder for a computer. There are no stand alone hard disk recorders that are Blu-ray compatible yet. When these do hit the market they are likely to be very expensive as is everything to do with Blu-ray.

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What components do I need for my home system?

blu ray player dvd recorder image

aptone

I want play Blu-Ray movies and want to be able to record TV shows. I only have broadcast TV so I don't have a DVR like many cable customers.
Am I going to need a separate Blu-Ray player, a separate DVD recorder for TV recording, and a separate receiver for surround sound?
I do have an LCD tv with digital tuner.

Answer
If you aren't planning on getting cable or satellite, a DVD recorder should be fine for your TV recording needs. Just be sure you get a DVD recorder that includes the new digital tuner, or ATSC tuner. This will be required when broadcasts go from analog to digital in February of next year.

Your TV will also need one of these tuners, if it doesn't already have one. Go to http://dtv.gov to learn more.

As for blu-ray, the best player on the market right now in terms of features, performance and price is the PS3. As a bonus, it'll play games as well. This assumes you have a HDTV, however. If not, don't even bother with Blu-ray until you get one. While you CAN watch blu-ray movies on a non-HDTV, they won't look any better than a regular DVD.

For surround sound, you will need a receiver and at least a set of 5 speakers and a subwoofer. Stay away from those "home theater in a box" kits. They may be cheap, but they don't include a receiver. Instead, they include a DVD player that you connect the speakers to for surround sound. This is fine...but the DVD player doesn't allow extra inputs. So your blu-ray player, DVD-recorder or DVR, etc. will not be able to use the surround speakers. Unless you have a very large room, a receiver that can do 5.1 surround should be fine. Just make sure it has enough inputs for your planned setup, as well as a few extras in case you get something new down the line.

Surround sound speakers for 5.1 include 2 front speakers, 1 center speaker, 2 rear satellite speakers and a subwoofer. If you plan on listening to music a lot with your system, you may want to buy the speakers in separate pairs. This way you can buy a nice pair of front speakers. Otherwise, they do sell 5.1 speaker sets which aren't too expensive and is more convienent that having to shop for each part separately. Just be sure to give the speakers a try in the store using a few favorite DVDs. You want to make sure the speakers sound good at both loud and soft volumes. The sound should be clear, not muddy or tinny.

To connect everything up, the easiest way is to connect your devices into your receiver, and use it as a switch. Then you only need 1 connection for video and audio (if necessary) from the receiver to your TV. Since you're using broadcast TV, to watch TV and use your surround speakers, you'll have to use the DVD recorder. Just remember, broadcast TV is only in mono or stereo, so only your front speakers will do anything.

What is the best money can buy for up to $400 for a Blu-ray player?

shjOlds_44

I'm looking for Blu-Ray player with BD Live and a connection for Sirius or XM. I really like to get one that is a recorder IF it's worth it. I am also looking for one that can upscale DVD's running a 5.1 channel digital or analog outputs.

Thanks.

Answer
I agree with MTS, the Oppo BDP-80 is an outstanding universal player, it has 7.1 channel outputs so if your receiver won't decode the new HD audio formats, the Oppo will. I don't believe there are any recorders out yet - except for a computer connected drive. As far as a Sirius/XM connection an AV receiver would have those, not a stand alone blu-ray player.

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What is the best money can buy for up to $400 for a Blu-ray player?

blu ray player dvd recorder image

shjOlds_44

I'm looking for Blu-Ray player with BD Live and a connection for Sirius or XM. I really like to get one that is a recorder IF it's worth it. I am also looking for one that can upscale DVD's running a 5.1 channel digital or analog outputs.

Thanks.

Answer
I agree with MTS, the Oppo BDP-80 is an outstanding universal player, it has 7.1 channel outputs so if your receiver won't decode the new HD audio formats, the Oppo will. I don't believe there are any recorders out yet - except for a computer connected drive. As far as a Sirius/XM connection an AV receiver would have those, not a stand alone blu-ray player.

Is getting a Home Theater Power Center important to have?

tonyc284

I'm planning on upgrading to a 60" plasma TV,Amplifier,and Blu-Ray HD player.I also would be connecting 2 powered speakers with built-in sub-woofers and a DVD/VCR recorder.Would getting one of those 8 outlet power centers that sell at Best Buy,etc. for around 2- 3 hundred dollars make any improvement in the quality of the picture and/or sound? If not then would any multi outlet power strip do?

Answer
I love how people with no empirical data weigh in on a matter specifically your investment.

Here is the low down on most surge protectors. Most use a MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) it is placed in parallel to the circuit these have rating of conduction, most in surge protectors are right around 130V give that any UL products need to pass a 30V swing in under over voltage. Problem with this design is that the MOVs need to bias every half-second and are slow response. Plus that the Parallel design means that if the MOV is damaged it no longer will function, BUT the strip will still provide power! YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHEN IT IS DAMAGED.

Monster uses a modified transorb set up that is superior in the response time, it does not need to bias every half second, and if the protection circuit is somehow damaged the strip will not function. So your equipment is always protected.

I would say that most equipment at best buy would not benefit to a margin most would see, but it there. The primary reason to get one is the absolute dirty and transient filled power that for some reasons most companyâs feel is necessary. Given too that most consumer devices are marketed at such a price point most will dispose rather than fix means the manufactures cut corners and design more marginal circuitry every day, and it only gets worse.

I would recommend getting one that provides a good joule rating (watts per second, joules, should exceed a 10 to 1 ratio of nominal current draw) a system you describe should be about 3000 joules peak of protection.

BTW belkin and others use a "protection light" but the circuit is still parallel and all MOVs must be faulty to show an issue. So the protection will degrade over time.

Contact with me with any father questions.

EDIT: Below is the model I would recommend for your use. I would add that any model you want to get should have a lifetime product warranty and a connected equipment warranty.

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