Do DVD and DVRs have tuners?

[daveco2]

I checked out some DVD players and DV recorders and noticed that they have an "Antenna In" port. Does this mean I can hook up my standard broadcast antenna for local stations and tune among them, or is the "Antenna In" port only to get a fixed channel for something like TV Guide?

I would run the DVD or DVR output to a projector. I don't have or want cable yet, so I don't have a separate tuner box.

Any recommendations on a good DVD player and DVR? Does the Panasonic S-97 have a tuner?

Thanks for any help,

Dave

 

[KevInCinci]

DVRs need the "antenna in" so that it has a TV signal to record, be it over-the-air or cable or satellite feed. If you have a DVR box (like TIVO), that can do all the tuning for you and you won't need a separate box. I haven't seen many DVD players with a tuner, but I'm sure they're out there and would serve the same function.

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[korgoth]

ive seen dvd/vhs combos with tuners

but i havent really looked for, or seen any straight dvd players with tuners

 

[daveco2]

Thanks for the replies. It helped me get on the right track, I think.

I found DVRs with standard antenna in, but the quality of DVD playback was not all that great.

And there are also VCR/DVD combos with antenna in, but again questionable DVD playback quality.

I'm thinking I have to give up the idea of getting local stations through a DVR or VCR/DVD and then going to a projector. Looks like a HDTV and top rated DVD player are the way to go.

Dave

 

[ruadmaa]

I Think You May Be Confused On DVD

I checked out some DVD players and DV recorders and noticed that they have an "Antenna In" port. Does this mean I can hook up my standard broadcast antenna for local stations and tune among them, or is the "Antenna In" port only to get a fixed channel for something like TV Guide?

I would run the DVD or DVR output to a projector. I don't have or want cable yet, so I don't have a separate tuner box.

Any recommendations on a good DVD player and DVR? Does the Panasonic S-97 have a tuner?

Thanks for any help,

Dave

DVD players are exactly that, play only. There are no antenna in ports on DVD players. DVD recorders have their own built in tuners and can record from off air. DVR's such as those from Directv also have built in tuners and can record Off Air TV signals. Both DVD recorders and DVR's have antenna in ports.

 

[KevInCinci]

DVD players are exactly that, play only. There are no antenna in ports on DVD players. DVD recorders have their own built in tuners and can record from off air. DVR's such as those from Directv also have built in tuners and can record Off Air TV signals. Both DVD recorders and DVR's have antenna in ports.

I agree that there seems to be some confusion in terminology here. DVRs (digital video recorders) can tune/receive cable, satellite, and over-the-air (local broadcasts) and record it on an internal hard drive for later play back or on-the-fly pausing, rewinding, etc. They don't play DVDs. Or at least I have yet to see a combo one that does. Their playback of what's recorded is only as good as (and equal to) the input signal, so if you want HD, you gotta buy an HD-capable DVR. Dave may be confusing those with DVD recorders, as ruadmaa says. I'm not sure what problems Dave saw in DVD playback quality, unless he was comparing them to HD or an upconverting model or something. If you want great DVD playback quality, you at least have to get progressive scan or (even better) an upconverting model that bumps up the resolution to something more compatable with an HDTV's capabilities.

In any case, you can absolutely get your local channels through either a DVR (DirectTV, TIVO, or digital cable box w/DVR), a DVD/VCR combo, or a DVD recorder and output it to a projector. You of coruse have to use an antenna or hook it up to your standard cable. That's exactly what I do (have used both TIVO and currently a DVD/VCR). Honestly, though, the quality of regular cable or broadcast TV looks pretty bad blown up on a projector. That's why my next project is hooking up my external antenna to an HD receiver for free high def broadcast reception.

Hope this clears up the confusion.

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[daveco2]

Ok, thanks for the excellent information. I really appreciate the help.

I think I'm getting closer to a solution. For one thing, I've given up the idea of a projector which actually came out of a need for business.

The basis for my setup is that I don't care for the content I've seen on cable channels, so I wouldn't want to pay monthly for that service. I usually just record some programs that come over the local PBS station for viewing later when I have more time. Of course, I'd like to get a setup that could be used later for cable if I decide to jump into it.

So how about this setup?
1. Plasma HDTV with an over the air antenna for now.

2. HD capable DVR for recording off the air.

3. DVD player (Panasonic S97) for getting good playback of the occasional movie and my home made DVDs.

Any comments very welcome,'


Dave

 

[ruadmaa]

Great Idea

Ok, thanks for the excellent information. I really appreciate the help.

I think I'm getting closer to a solution. For one thing, I've given up the idea of a projector which actually came out of a need for business.

The basis for my setup is that I don't care for the content I've seen on cable channels, so I wouldn't want to pay monthly for that service. I usually just record some programs that come over the local PBS station for viewing later when I have more time. Of course, I'd like to get a setup that could be used later for cable if I decide to jump into it.

So how about this setup?
1. Plasma HDTV with an over the air antenna for now.

2. HD capable DVR for recording off the air.

3. DVD player (Panasonic S97) for getting good playback of the occasional movie and my home made DVDs.

Any comments very welcome,'


Dave

You should get VERY pleasing results with your system as described above. PBS puts out some absolutely stunning HD and Over The Air is still the best way of getting HD content. No chance of satellite or cable people compressing the signals.