We may see the first US standalone BLU-RAY recorder in 2009 or 2010.

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It is looking like BLU-RAY standalone recorders might not start appearing on the US market until 2009 or 2010. Perhaps under ideal conditions during CES 2009 some companies will announce standalone BLU-RAY recorders for the year 2009. I do realize that computer BLU-RAY recorders are available now but some consumers still prefer standalone recorders.
Right now the only standalone consumer equipment to record High Definition 1080I and 720P programs at full quality with no loss is using a HD DVR recorder or if one owns a discontinued D-VHS machine.
When the BLU-RAY standalone recorders show up on the US market they will have ATSC/NTSC tuners as a standard feature (Possible clear QAM in all or most models). Recording from satellite and cable boxes digitally will be done using the I-link digital connector. The more expensive models most likely will offer one way or two way cable cards that allow the BLU-RAY recorder to function just like a Digital cable box. A two way cable card option will allow video on demand and interactive program guide for one touch recording onto a BLU-RAY disc. Perhaps the cheaper models will only offer MPEG-2 recording since the processing power to convert a MPEG-2 recording to MPEG-4 to save disc space would be very expensive. Hopefully native MPEG-4 recording will be a option since cable companies are moving from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4.
Instead of a BLU-RAY recorder costing $3,000 most likely prices are going to fall and in 2009 one might be able to purchase the first BLU-RAY standalone recorder for $1,500-$2,000.