What DVD recorder with DV IN!

Should I look for DVD recording decks (not in computer) that can burn to DVD-R as I heard that is the best for compatiable issues!!!????

I use a Sony RDR-GX7 and am happy with it. It has Firewire input. I also use it to transcode firewire to component output to drive my monitor which works very well.

However you need to be aware that these standalone decks don't allow a lot of customization of the DVD. That's fine for what I'm doing - just burning footage to DVD's, but if you want fancy menus, etc. then this deck (and most of the consumer models AFAIK) don't really allow that. You can create chapters with titles, but that also gets tedious choosing letters with a joystick on the DVD recorder remote.

When you burn a disk at maximum quality you get 60 minutes and it looks very good, hard to tell from the original DV. Have not experiemented much with the lower quality recording modes.

I have a Pioneer and am pleased with it. One thing to look for in the manual is how to setup Chapters. This setting determines how many minutes of video the player will skip when you press the >> buttons. Firewire out is very handy for dubbing to your camcorder or computer of material you have rights to. They'll not work on copyrighted/protected material AFAIK.

I have been reading about the new Sony deck that does 16x/12x, and works either standalone with your HT or connected via USB2 to your ocmputer. Seems like the bext of both worlds. I htink SRP is about $300, but I don't have model number handy. It was in bunches of mags this past month.