I would look into a comb filter option with dvi or hdmi output. This would limit d/a-a/d conversion happening only once in your chain. Is there any dvd recorders with a good 3D comb filter that outputs 480i over hdmi?

The Pioneer DVR-LX70D does for sure. Scaling and deinterlacing isn't anything special (mediocre at best) but its comb filter is great for Laserdisc.

I found an interesting thread over at originaltrilogy.com where users conducted some 3D comb filter tests on various DVD recorders. Their impression was that the DMR-ES10 and ES15 (no HDMI out on both) where the best for NTSC: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Comb-Filter-Testing/post/636069/, but there were certainly dissenters, so I guess the results are very subjective.

One person posted all the chipsets for all the Panasonic DVD Recorders as well:
C1AB00000791:
DMR-E20 (3 in)
DMR-E30 (3 in)
DMR-HS2 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-T3030 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-T3040 (HDD, 3 in)

C1AB00001979:
DMR-E65 (3 in)
DMR-E75 (VCR, 2 in)
DMR-E85 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-E95 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-E500 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-EH50 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-EH55 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-EH60 (HDD, 3 in)
DMR-ES10 (3 in)
DMR-ES15 (2 in)
DMR-ES20 (2 in)
DMR-ES25 (2 in)
DMR-EZ17 (2 in)
DMR-EZ27 (2 in)
DMR-T6070 (HDD, 3 in)

C1AB00002083:
DMR-EA38V
DMR-EH75VP
DMR-ES30VP
DMR-ES35V
DMR-ES40VP/VPC
DMR-ES45V (VCR, 2 in)
DMR-ES46V (VCR, 2 in)
DMR-EZ37V
DMR-EZ475V
DMR-EZ47V
DMR-EZ48VP/VPC
DMR-EZ485VP
SA-HT830VP/VPC
SA-HT833V

C1AB00002100 (PAL only?):
DMR-ES10EB/EBL/EC/EG/EP (UK, Ireland, other EU countries)

C1AB00002084 (PAL only?):
DMR-ES30VGN/VEC/VEE (VCR, 2 in)
DMR-ES35VEG/VEC (VCR, 2 in)
DMR-EZ48VEB (VCR, 2 in)

C1AB00002379 (PAL only?):
DMR-EH55EC/EP
DMR-EH56EG
DMR-EH65EE/GC/GCS/GN (Russia, etc.)
DMR-ES15EB/EBL/EP/EC/EG (UK, Ireland, other EU countries)
DMR-EX75EB/EC/EG (UK, other EU countries)
DMR-EX79EG
DMR-EX85EB/EG (UK, Germany)
DMR-EX768EB/EF/EC/EP (UK, France, other EU countries)

Just got home with the CLD-D702. Works great! Came with 44 movies. I fired up the letterboxed Jurassic Park (41829) that came with it. Having NEVER seen an LD in action (except in science class back in school years ago), the image was better than I expected. I ran this on my 60" Sharp LC-60LE660u just straight via composite.

I also ordered a DMR-ES25 which has HDMI out and works as a passthrough. Plus several sites (this one included:http://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=562&start=60) indicate it has a good 3D comb filter. I will post back with results.

Sweet - enjoy!

So got the DMR-ES25 today, but the unit has no remote (I ordered a remote separately at the same time I ordered the DMR), but one should be here shortly. Looking through the manual I will need the remote to set the HDMI out properly for the passthrough.

Anyway I have been running the D702 through my TX-NR626. It certainly helps with the noise but there is a lot of rainbowing and color saturation, particularly with reds. So hopefully the Panny will help with that. But the Onkyo certainly improves the picture over straight composite.