Zenith dvdrecorders are nice.
LSI chip set ( JVC) :P under 300.00
heehaw...did you try importing dvd ( Not import FILE ) > let TDA back the video as mpeg for you.?
It will save as TDA 000 blah blah mpeg... I have done it that way with all sorts of dvdrecorder dscs. Including philips , jvc, sony, panasonic.
Is it possible your dvd rom is dirty. Or on its last leg ? I would try the little stuff first. Before spending any more money on a recorder
Do you have the Ac3 plug in for TDA? If not I can email it to you