I have been looking for a DVD recorder that has a digital optical or coax in, but I haven't seen one yet. I understand that even if it did it wouldn't record in 5.1 or higher. I assume if a recorder had an digital audio input that it would record in stereo.

For those recorders that record in 2 channel analog, how is the recorded sound on that?

Ok, I should add that I've been looking at the Philips DVDR80 recorder. From there website it states, " 2-channel Dolby Digital recording
Dolby Digital™ is an advanced digital audio encoding technology that is used on all DVD-Video discs. Philips DVD Recorders store audio in the same format. The quality surpasses that of analog video recorders".

Since I don't see any digital inputs, how is it supposed to record in 2-channel Dolby Digital using the analog LR RCAs?

I don't think there is one yet. I don't know how they'd stop you from recording a 5.1 signal if there was a digital input. They'd have to make it decode the digital signal to analog and then re-encode, I imagine. This would defeat the purpose of the digital input anyway.

The DVD-R boxes have an MPEG encoder to create the appropriate Dolby format for DVD playback.

Thanks Spiky,

So, all current dvd recorders record through the analog rca cables then. So, is the sound quality any better than recording through my VCR?

No experience. But I'd say yes. At least on repeated playback where the tape stretches and wears out and the DVDR does not.

Off topic but somewhat related, I have also noted that it is hard to find DVD recorders with component video inputs.

"The DVD-R boxes have an MPEG encoder to create the appropriate Dolby format for DVD playback."

How would an MPEG ENCODER create a Dolby Surround signal for playback?
A dolby DECODER would be needed for decoding the AC3 or DTS signal to 5.1 analog channels.
MPEG encoders have nothing to do with Dolby.

I have a panasonic dvd recorder model DMR-HS2. Im using direct-tv as my source conected with s-video and rca. You can create a center chanel but it cuts your recording time to 1 hour per dvd-r so I use the normal setting and get 2 hours per disc and play it with pro logic II and it sounds good. Hope this helps.

COPE

Eric, what would you use as a source for multi-channel audio? If a DVD, then use DVD-X-copy on your computer. It makes a clone, complete with DD/DTS.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com