New Hi Def VCR's

[Laprok]

Is anyone currently using a HD VCR? And how do you like the picture quality?

Also does anyone use a DVD recorder and find that it gives a better picture than a regular VCR on a HD TV?

[RickNeff]

I'll address the latter question:

I have a Panasonic E-30 recorder and depending on the recording mode, the quality will be better than a VCR by far.  At the 1-hour and 2-hour modes at least.  Beyond that, you're looking at VCR quality.

Of course, the source material is still the limiting factor in most instances.

[johnmark]

I use the Mits HD2000U which records from the STB using a firewire cable.  This is true all digital recording.  As such the recording is exactly the same as the original, there is no degradation in picture quality since th VCR is recording the broadcast stream.  The STB receives the stream from the VCR and decodes it just like a broadcast.  

Its wierd to sit and watch a recording on a VCR and see a perfect reproduction.  But thats what true digital recording does.

Hope this helps

[FreQi]

@johnmark
Do you know anything about pulling the recording off that tape to your pc?  Does it have firewire out?  Or does it maybe coax out an RF signal?

[johnmark]

FreQi,

There are ways of converting DVHS tape to computer files and vice versa.  The best place to go is the recorders section under HDTV at Avsforum.com.

John