I have carried nearly everything into Brazil through GIG with never once a problem. I always encase the original packaging with some form of cheap luggage surrounding and use expanding foam insulation. I have never had even a question. A 50" plasma Samsung TV I did declare but was just waved through.
The immigration and customs processes are totally independent and you almost never show a passport to Customs.

Only by bringing in many bags and lots of TV's is their a potential problem from what I have seen. I am guessing about that because neither Mrs jb nor I have ever been stopped.

I once brought a large hanging lamp in at GIG in its original packaging and was asked what was in the box when going through the green line. Responded exactly what it shows on the label, a lamp, then was waived through.

Swissaire, thanks for your very interesting posts, particularly on DVDs.

I couldn't agree more that there is more than enough "content" available on cable in Brazil, and that the Netflix library is more than a little deficient, as is, of course, Blockbuster's on-line offerings.

Along these very lines, what I am trying to do is to actually substitute my Standard DVD player here - I live in Brazil - with a Standard DVR that would enable me to record programming for viewing at a more convenient time. Like many on this board, I am a NET cable subscriber, which despite having innumerable junk movie channels has just three of interest: Telecine Cult and TCM, which, I find together offer interesting "classic" movies every week; and Canal Brasil, which is fantastic and offers varied programming including vintage Brazil films. I would like to view on a locally purchased LG plasma that I purchased about five years ago, attached to my Yamaha receiver.

Here in Rio most of the eletronic shops do not carry DVR's and are therefore not very knowledgeable or helpful. I would be willing to buy from a reliable local online site as long as the models would be compatible with NET. I would be storing most content on disks but am sure that it would pay to have one with some minimum amount of storage space on a HDD. I guess I would also need to know that a certain typle of cable is compatible between the device and the plasma/receiver, right. As you can see, I am not all much technology-proficient but any guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry, in the last post I should have mentioned that if I can't find a decent local Standard DVR player, I will have to bring one in my carry-on on my next trip to NYC.

As stated in this thread, I recognize that all standard DVD players, both in Brazil and in the USA are NTSC, and they both have the same HDMI connectors. I also recognize that the player should be unlocked as Brazil DVDs are Region 4 coded, while the USA is Region 1. Is there anything else that would need to be compatible in order for a USA Standard DVR to work here and record Brazil cable?

As stated I certainly don't rule out buying a decent one here so any recommendations for a Brazil Standard DVR to work here, and if so, any preferred models and /or reputable sites for purchase would be appreciated. That is because, believe it or not, none of the major electronics chains in Rio actually carry.

Boa Noite Marcos !

I wish I were in Rio right now. It is very cold and beginning to snow outside here.

Your DVD plan:

As I understand, you have a new LG Plasma ( excelente-parabens ! ) and find a suitable SD DVD player that will work with your plasma screen in Rio, yes ?

That I believe would be a muiti-region DVD player, which today is done automatically rather than switching back and forth between regional code selections. Having logged more than a few foot miles in the past with my wife, also looking for one in Rio, Sampa, and Fortaleza, I agree that it is best that you bring one with you from outside Brasil.

In Europe and in North America and Asia, these units (SD DVD player) are usually found at specialty electronic stores, or online.

Now to enhance your entertainment possibilities, you are also interested in recording programming by cable. An interesting question propostion arises here, as to the ability to do both with the same machine.

I have seen one machine in the past (a Panasonic) that allowed that, and there were many complicated steps to get to the recording functon to work properly. I will do some checking for you on the latest machines that may now be available, if you like. Other FT members here my have good suggestions to offer you.

Are you travelling to North America or Europe to make your purchase ? That would be helpful information.

On the subject of HD recorders I am only familar with using a Bang & Olufsen model, a somewhat expensive option. That brings us to a somewhat easier option of having:
1.) Two machines ( an HD recorder and a muti-region SD DVD player ). It would be more easy to find two that are HDMI, than an all-in-one machine as desired.

A simple and better suggestion:

Our computer does all this for us here, and more. It is a Gateway Home Theatre PC, model SX 2800 series, and at one-third the size of a PC, it appears to be normal a VCR player when resting on it's side.

It records programming, and burns or converts back to DVD (using programs like AVS 4 and Nero). It also serves as a prime computer for streaming, surfing, music ( meda player, media centre or B&O beoplayer ), internet radio ( 17,000 staions using Beoplayer ), DVD stereo sound, and allows PC work in a more comfortable living room environment. 8 HDMI slots. for example, I can pull up most radio stations in Brasil with a push of a button, and pipe the music in through the speakers anywhere in the house.

I use a Logitech Edge BT keyboard, and gyroscopic mouse with Media Centre to control it from 3-5 M away from the screen. No need to be hardwired.

Given the price considerations, a 1T HD version is comparable to a muti-region DVD player alone. That is a lot of music and video to store and enjoy, and would provide you with more capabilities for the future. The Gateway SX computers are sold at most electronic stores anywhere.

Aguardo seus comentarios !

Muito obrigado mesmo Swissaire!

To do your well thought out post justice, I will re-read it a few more times and do some more research on the possibilities you outline so as to place in focus exactly what I want to do. Since I won't be traveling to NYC for a few more months I will try and first pound the pavement here as you did a few years back with your search for a SD-DVD. After that I may well revert with further questions if you don't mind. But your post has already detailed possibilities.

Then I will share what I eventually do here so that others can see what worked, or didn't work, for me as I think this seemingly very simple task - complicated once again by the good old custo brasil - is of general interest for those wanting to set up a home theater system here.

Bom Dia !

Sounds like you have a good plan. I would rather pound the pavement with Havaiianas in Rio, than icy, wet dress shoes in NYC , anyday.

I should also mention a rather important point regarding the HTPC. Using the Gateway SX model with WIndows 7 OS, all region DVD's play in the DVD drive, without the need for a multi-region DVD player. HD DVDs from Brasil, and North America play just as good as our local region DVD's do with this PC.

This eliminates the need for a single DVD player. You just use the HTPC for DVDs. This feature of this computer was not the case before using XP as the OS. If you decide to go this route, then consider the future and make sure that your PC DVD drive burns BR and double-layer DVD's.