Are DVD-recorders as DVD-players no good?

[MichielO]

I have heard and read that a DVD-recorder is hardly ever a good DVD-player. In other words, I would like to have a DVD-recorder which is also a good player, so that I do not have to buy 2 models.
I am going to buy a (HD Ready) plasma and since my current (Onkyo) DVD-player does not have progressive scan, component or HDMI, I have to buy a new one. But are there any decent HDMI DVD Recorders which are also superb DVD-players???

Regards,
Michiel

[mkoehler]

I ordered the new Philips DVDR7300H with 250GB, HDMI and upscaler. I think with HDMI and upscaler the player-abilities shouldn't be that bad... The 7300 costs about 300£.
A very good player is the Pioneer DVR930. Also with HDMI. But that one costs about 870£!
Also good should be the Philips DVDR9000, due in January, with 400GB HD for about 480£...

[AVmaster]

I'd say that there are dedicated DVD players which do a better job of playing DVD's than some DVD recorders, but there are also some DVD recorder that do a better job of playing DVD's than some DVD players. It all depends on which one you buy.
In general though, most good recorders are good at both as recorder technology has gone a long way in the past few years.

[MichielO]

Well, despite the fact that I am Dutch, I would not choose Philips myself. With TVs they are great, but with video/dvd a.s.o. not.
Of course I would prefer one DVDplayer/recorder than seperate models for playing and recording. However, I think it is cheaper to buy a good DVD-player (e.g. Denon 1920/2920 with HDMI) and recorder (Pana/Pio/Sony - no HDMI) than a good combi with comparable quality (e.g. expensive Pio or Sony with HDMI).

[Westindieman]

You raise a very good thread here. I too would like a machine that records TV onto HD and dont need the DVD recorder part as I would like to choose a separate. I did buy a PVR with this intention but returned it when I realised you can only record from the inbuilt freeview. So my only choice is to have a DVD -HR. Isnt there a market for these machines without the DVD at reduced prices. Would anyone else buy one?

[foneman]

you need to start reading WhatSattelite - they often have these kind of boxes for review...

there is the reelbox , that will do a lot of things too...

humax is another good name...