Okay, I found another DVD player/recorder with ATSC tuner.

Samsung's DVD-AR650 seems to be pretty identical to the Panasonic DMR-EZ27K, although it doesn't do 1080p. It has an ATSC tuner, has an HDMI output. Samsung very clearly spells out that the HDMI outputs toggle between 480p, 720p, and 1080i, while the component outputs are 480i or 480p.

What's not completely clear is if the DVD-AR650 upconverts a DVD from 480i/p to higher 720p/1080i. I think it does based on ad copy, and I believe this is the same way the Panasonic unit works, but this is not clearly spelled out in the documentation from either group.

[Link: vanns.com]

Both units appear to have similar functionality:

-DVD upconversion via HDMI output (720p, 1080i, 1080p on Panasonic)
-HD content feedthru from ATSC tuner via HDMI output
-480i, 480p output from DVD or ATSC tuner via composite outputs
-DVD recording capability

So if the DVD upconversion does mess up the PQ when using the HDMI output, you can always use the component outputs with native 480i or 480p.

Seems like a perfect solution. I just don't know what I'm going to do with the recording capability. Hahah, I'm buying a DVD recorder for every reason except it's ability to record!