Foreign DVD recorders on sale to meet 'hidden' demand?

The Panasonic DMR-EH75V still costs $1,000 on Amazon.com.

Last fall, we noticed that old DVD recorders with hard drives were selling for $1,900 on the Internet, because manufacturers basically stopped making them (with some exceptions) and people still want them. The continued demand for DVD recorders with hard drives isn't surprising--many people want a simple DVR they can own, without a monthly free, that can easy burn their favorite shows to DVDs. It's a killer product, but unless you're willing to set up a home theater PC, you can't have it.

We have noticed, however, that some electronics retailers have been offering foreign DVD recorders with hard drives in the U.S., potentially to meet this hidden demand. One of the interesting things about the disappearance of DVD recorders with hard drives in the United States is that they continue to be freely available elsewhere, such as Canada and Europe. For example, both J&R and B&H Photo are currently selling the Pioneer DVR-650HS, which has a 250GB hard drive, records to virtually all DVD media types, and can upconvert DVDs to 1080i over its HDMI output.

It also has a European-style Scart video connector, a region code of 2-6 (so it won't play any standard DVDs bought in the U.S.), and will probably default to PAL playback and recording, although the spec sheet says it's capable of handling NTSC. It's clearly intended for overseas use. And both retailers have other foreign models available as well (links: J&R and B&H).

The Pioneer DVR-650HS costs $600 and isn't designed to be used in the U.S., but it might fit the bill for some DVD recorder fans.

We have no problem with retailers trying to fill this gap, but customers need to have a sharp eye to catch that these aren't actually designed to be used in the U.S.

On B&H, there are two hints; one, it has a notice that it doesn't include an ATSC tuner, which is required for U.S. products because of the upcoming DTV transition; and two, a warning that says: "Note! Unit is configured with European AC Plug". Luckily it has a universal power supply, so you should be OK using it in the U.S. with a simple plug adapter. J&R is a little better, with a message at the stop stating: "Not designed for United States Market / This product does not come with Pioneer USA Warranty or Service Support / Intended for Europe Asia".

So are these foreign recorders a good option for those who still want a DVD- ecorder with a hard drive? Probably not. They won't play standard commercial DVDs because of the region coding issues, which means you'll really only be able to watch home-burned DVDs.

Also, as J&R warns, you won't get the standard Pioneer warranty, so if something goes wrong, you're out of luck. And if you intend to use it for over-the-air broadcasts, note that the internal NTSC tuner will pretty much useless after the DTV transition in February 2009. If you're willing to live with those limitations--and the $600 price tag--it might be a workable option, but we'd recommend against it unless you're a gear junkie comfortable using a product intended for another market.

We get a lot of e-mails about DVD-recorders with hard drives, so I'm always interested: how many people out there actually still want one? Is this a compelling option for hard drive DVD-recorder evangelists? Let us know in the comments.

[dhjellen]

I would buy one in a heartbeat if I could find one that worked well. I have owned several DVD recorders (without hard drives) and the Philips DVDR3575H (I think the only DVD player with a hard drive, ATSC, HDMI, and no subscription fee being made for the us marked right now) and the Philips DVDR3575H is such a bad product with horrible picture quality that I had to go back to a DVD recorder and keep a RAM disc in the disc drive essentially treating it like a little 4gb hard drive.

I have been waiting for the EchoStar TR-50 to come out ever since I first caught wind of it.

[Holly Klug]

When I bought my Panasonic DVR I looked for an US HDTV tuner in vain. I have since put together a MythTV system. It probably took about 2 man weeks of effort (mainly because my HDTV has a lot of overscan), but it was worth it. I built my system around the BIOSTAR TF7050-M2 motherboard and Gentoo Linux.

[rickster]

I too would buy something like this. In fact, I currently own a Magnavox with a hard drive made by Funai but sold here for the U.S. market. What I don't understand is the paranoid behavior by the Motion Picture Association and now by T.V. media gaints. I too have high hopes for the TR-50 but wonder if Direct TV will also limit or be forced to limit this unit in some way. In addition to DVD recorders with a hard drive, can you provide me with a current DVR with a hard drive, OTA HDTV capable, with no subscription fees...I smell a conspiracy and it stinks!

[Sugith]

I recommend a trip to Canada. Most retailers have DVR's with hard drives and DVD burners that play region 1 and have NTSC tuners starting at $250. The Pioneers start at $450. (Pioneer even makes a model just for Costco that's under $400.)

[frank11071]

I currently have the Phillips HDRW720 and Sony DHG-HDD500. Both are great products but only the Sony is capable of recording cable and OTA HD channels. It's comparable to the DVR boxes that Cox Cable rents out except that it's free. I would definitely buy another DVR like the Sony.

[jonnieappleseed]

I'm glad to see demand. I am sad to see our freedom being spit upon by manufacturers/government? I was shocked to see them evaporate since I'm not a fan of the monthly fee.

[jw55]

Add me to those who would buy a new dvr with digital tuning in a minute. I have two Panasonic dvrs, dmr-e80h and dmr-eh55. I do not have cable and have no intention of getting it therefore subscription dvrs are of no use or interest to me. I use my Panasonics not just for time shifting and saving tv shows, but also as an audio recorder to record off the air radio broadcasts of the Boston Symphony and Metropolitan Opera. Hopefully programmable digital tuners will appear on the market which I will be able to use with my current dvrs, but It would be much easier if I could just get a dvr that did it all. It's ironic that with all the advances in technology many of us are actually finding our options for home entertainment more limited than ever.

[GreggN]

I got tired of waiting for an American-made hard drive DVR. Bought an imported device to record television. The DRM and other restrictions imposed in this country will drive innovation and freedom lovers to products made by other countries.

[rickster]

Hello GreggN,

Just wanted to ask what import device did you buy...I own a Sony hdd-250...works great but the drawback is that I can't off load to my computer or install a larger hard drive...any advice would be much appreciated

rickster

[sekander2]

I live in Thailand and we have 5 different brands to choose from. Pioneer, Panasonic, Sony, Philips and Samsung. New models like the Panasonic EH58 and Pioneer DVR560 have HDMI,
USB, Firewire, S-video, etc. All with 160 or 250 GB hard drives and can record dual layer discs.
Most of the previous sentiment is right on the money; its collusion by the Movie industry and probably
the TV industry to keep this product out of US buyers' hands. More fear about copyright infringement and lost revenues. Average price over here for one of these babies is $450-550. I was about to pull the trigger on the Panasonic when I had doubts caused by the eventual coming of Blue Ray recorders. These will make everything obsolete. But when? Any ideas?

[whidbeyben]

I'd sure like to buy one instead of some cruddy $49 DTV converter. Where's the environmental outcry for all the analog TV's that are being herded to the landfills to suit Hollywood and cable/satellite operators who want to control everything we do. There is certainly a market for DVD recorders with hard drives and ATSC tuners, especially with the February 2009 DTV conversion impending. I've been on the verge of getting a Mac Mini with an external DTV/analog tuner card to use as a solution, but it sure would be nicer to just open a box and have it all done and ready to go without monthly subscription fees.

[CCArmstr]

I have owned a Panasonic dvd recorder with 80 gig hard drive for the past 3-4 years and absolutely love it BUT it's getting old. I'd upgrade to the latest model but Panasonic stopped making dvd recorders with hard drives. Too bad. I do like this unit...

[DougWinter]

I bought an RCA DVD recorder w/80GB HD in 2005 and I loved it. It got fried in an electrical storm, so I'm going to buy a refurbished Philips DVDR3575H/37 DVD Recorder 160GB Hard Drive. I still find it hard to believe that no one is manufacturing Recorders w/internal hard drives! Are the manufacturers getting a kickback from Tivo?

[HylasH]

There is absolutely a demand for these things. I've had one for 3-4 years sold by Radio Shack, under the Accurian brand name, which I bought for less than $200. It has an 80 GB HD. Having the HD is great. The interface is primitive and cumbersome to work with but the HD makes it worthwhile. I use it to record stuff without dealing with finicky discs. You can record long swaths & truncate or edit them later to fit on DVD's. I record stuff off the radio and make 6 hour audio disks out of DVDs. I started shopping recently for an upgraded model and was shocked to discover that there are none available anywhere in the US. Coincidence or another example of industry colluding to shackle a promising technology?

[Gadgetguy44]

I bought a DVD recorder from Australia. A ruling from the Australian government several years back forced manufacturers to make them multi regional, ie the recorder or player will play any disc and therefore the DVD recorders and players are PAL/NTSC. Some recorders have PAL/NTSC tuners but I haven't come across any that have digital ATSC tuners. An ideal machine would be one with a DVB/ATSC tuner.