JVC HM-DH30000L D-VHS HDTV Digital Recorder, Silver
Why get a new VCR?
I asked myself this question before I purchased this machine.  However, I concluded that the new reduced price made this a necessary purchase especially since I needed to replace my old VCR.  The main reason I wanted this device was to be able to timer record over the air Hdtv signals.  This product has worked perfectly at this task.  Be aware that you will need a set-top box or HDTV with built in firewire to be able to record in high def.  I have a Hitachi 57XWX and this product was identified by the TV when I hooked it up.  I have purchased U571 on DVHS and it looks and sounds awesome.  The picture is much, much better than DVD which I also love.  The VCR is capable of playing back DD5.1 through the firewire or through the optical out on the back of the machine.  I am unable to record DD5.1 at this time because no one in my area is televising with a DD data stream.  So I am not positive that this feature works.  However, I would guess that it would because it is able to play back tapes in DD with the firewire.