How to get the best picture out of DVD?

[admin_exported]

Seeing as I don't own any HD discs, but have a fairly substantial DVD collection I was looking at getting a quality DVD player or DVD recorder. Am I right in thinking that interference from the recorder function would compromise picture? Thus getting the equivalent picture quality achievable from a dedicated player would only be attainable from a more capable recorder?

I like the look of the Pioneer DV-LX50, especially at the £269 Superfi are asking for it. Would the Pioneer DVR-LX60D DVD/HDD recorder give the same quality of picture? Can any of the Panasonics, such as the DMR-EX78 or 88 rival it? Or should I resign myself to getting a dedicated player and a Freesat PVR once they're released?

Thanks in advance for the help.....

 

[John Duncan]

Personally, I'd keep them separate. Get a cheap DVD Recorder (since you're only recording off the telly and quality will be limited anyway), and a stonking end-of-line DVD player - the Arcam DV139(?) and Yamaha S2700 are both available just now at silly prices compared to new.

 

[Ragworm]

I bought a Sony RDR-HX510 for my daughter and, whilst the user interface stinks, I have to say the picture quality is top-notch. It put my old Toshiba SD520E to shame. So much so that I went out and bought a new Sony. So, provided you by a quality product, I don't think you need to worry about interference.

What you do need to consider though, is do you want one or two digital tuners in your PVR? Currently noone makes a twin digital tuner DVD recorder whereas there are plenty of twin-tuner HDD recorders. Some would argue that if you have a digital TV then you don't need two tuners. To a degree they're right. But you'll be stuck in the past using your PVR just like a VHS recorder. Trust me, once you've had a twin-tuner PVR there is no going back! It changes your whole approach to watching TV. You record everything you're even vaguely interested in, including things you intend to watch live. Then you start and stop watching when it suits you, fast forward through all the adverts and pause to answer the phone or the door.

 

[Frank Harvey]

The Pioneer DVLX50 and the Yamaha DVDS2700 are both excellent players, and will be as good as you'll get from SD DVD this side of the £1k price point, especially at the prices they are selling for now.