new DVD player priorities

Keep the dvd recorder in your PC. Much cheaper way to go and won't get in the way when you get the upgrade bug. I like a Tivo or Dishnetwork hard drive for recording tv. That should increase your choices & free up some budget.
Also, does your tv do HD? That may be an issue???
My last question is do you use this for audio also?

With that said, listen to newbie.

Many thanks to Newbie13 for his in-depth explanation. Thanks for taking the time on this. So if you own a Blu-ray player and rent an HD DVD, will it not be compatible and not work or vice-versa? I'm still a little confused. Sounds like the future of these technologies and formats are still uncertain. I'll probably go with a standard format CD player/recorder at some point in the future to finally get away from VHS tapes for good. HD will have to wait.

Elevick: One of our TV's is HDTV compatible but we don't subscribe to that service with our cable TV provider. We pay them enough every month and most of what's on is crap anyway. No I do not use DVD players for audio. I have separate CD players for my sound systems (NAD, Rotel, etc). Good question though. Thanks.

"So if you own a Blu-ray player and rent an HD DVD, will it not be compatible and not work or vice-versa?"

Correct the two formats are not compatible.

My Responses --

"Pdn":

With the state that HD-DVD and Blue-Ray DVD are in, I'll be pretty reluctant to make a commitment to either camp at this time, meaning I'll be sticking to Regular DVD for the time being (sticking with my Denon DVD-2910 until a winner between HD-DVD and Blue-Ray DVD emerges).

About the only way I'll upgrade from a conventional DVD Player is that a good hybrid player hits the market (and right now, the LG BH100 does not do it for me because it plays some formats of digital media, but not others).

And as for a High Definition DVD Player with recording capability?? From my experience with my Toshiba RD-SX34, I would say that I would buy such a machine for its timeshifting capabilities only (whatever they may be by that time),and that it would not be my main movie playback machine. I would have a separate player in place just for that. So then, my answer to that question is "no".

Hope I made some sense here.

--Charles--

Thanks everyone. I'll stick with my conventional unit for now but you cleared it all up for me. Appreciate your time and knowledge. Video is just not my strength vs audio.