Toshiba DVR17 - DVD Recorder & VHS Combi - Black
Toshiba DVR17 - DVD Recorder & VHS Combi - Black
with Progressive Scan
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Philips DVDR3570 - 160Gb Hard Drive DVD Recorder - Black 
Take control over your TV.
Customer Review: Excellent product but with a few minor problems
Let’s face it, VHS is dead, so I needed a DVD recorder so I can record programmes off the TV etc; we’re all in that situation now aren’t we? There are so many DVD recorders available on the market now I started to wondered what else I wanted from a DVD recorder. I choose the Philips 3570 because it has so much going for it: The positives: - it can play DivX movies, - it can record on nearly any blank DVD (all except DVD-RAM) - it has a built-in USB port and IEEE1394/Firewire port (4pin) - it has DV composite-in - you can do minor video editing - it has VideoPlus Timer - internal hard disk (various sizes depending on model) - you can transfer files from HDD to USB or DVD etc Once the recorder was installed with my TV and Freeview, I was very happy, but then I started to notice the little things. The negatives: - it ain’t multiregional (this is stated, so my fault) - the interface is very slow - the remote takes some time to get use to - the whole unit crashes once in while for no reason whatsoever - it takes about a minute to boot up, so there is no instant recording - the depth of the unit is large, so make sure you have shelf space Even with the minor problems, the unit is very good and I am very happy with it. Philips could do a lot more with this unit, add Freeview, add HDMI, better interface, but all in all, this unit should cater for all your needs, especially if you acquire DivX movies off the Internet.
Pioneer DVR-530H-S Ultra slim DVD-R / DVD-RW Recorder, 160 Gb HDD - Silver 
Customer Review: Love It!!
This for me is as close to getting Sky+ as I can get without having to shell out for one of Mr Murdoch’s whizzy boxes! I’m impressed with the Guide+, but I’ve noticed that if a programme is shown at a different time the following week the guide doesn’t follow suit. However, the fact that I can get it to change channels on Sky is a big bonus, I can now record what I like on whichever channel I like without using Sky’s EPG. OK, the Guide+ doesn’t list all channels on Sky, but for me the key ones are there, and you can manually enter channel numbers anyway. The 160GB HDD is more than enough space, I’ve been recording programmes left right and centre, and hooking it up to a VCR to transfer material from VHS to HDD is easy peasy. The picture quality is fine, I use SP for programmes to watch at a later date, and the editing functions are great.
Customer Review: Fantastic machine changes the way you watch tv
The previous reviews seem concerned about the lack of network capability to transfer mp3 files from a PC. I think this entirely misses the point. The Pioneer records TV at great quality and you can edit the recording (with ease) to remove adverts etc before saving to DVD-R if you so wish. But the best thing is that the machine comes with Guide+ from which you can schedule timed recordings. These recordings can be made using the internal tuner or from external decoders such as SKY satellite box or Freeview boxes. Up to 3 of these can be connected and an infared cable changes channel on the decoders when required. This is the fantastic bit. You choose which channels appear in Guide+ and tell which decoder they can be found on. I couldn't find another box that was capable of doing all this. And it is all easy to do, I didn't have to refer to the pretty comprehensive manual at all. And yes you can store your music collection on it too if you want to. When you consider that all the other MP3 music servers that I have seen cost over £600 it's not bad to have this thrown in on a video device that shouldn't cost you more than £330. So the music side is not so comprehensive as a full music server but they cost over double and they don't do video. So if you want to record programmes from SKY and don't want a monthly subscription to SKY+ then this does what you need and more. It's almost like SKY++
Sony RDR-VX450 - DVD Recorder & VCR Recorder Combi
Toshiba RD-85DT DVD Recorder with Digital Freeview and 160Gb Hard Drive 
With the RD85DT player/recorder, you can enjoy digital television and archive hours of TV programmes on your hard drive. The RD85DT comes with a digital TV tuner, a 160 GB hard drive and allows you to enjoy advanced recording functions such as TimeSlip. The RD85DT is also equipped with the electronic programme guide, EPG. The RD85D player/recorder is a real digital video recording tool which will allow you to build your own personal video library.
Customer Review: Dissappointed
Had the unit for a few weeks now, have found it OK as far as recording to HDD, but thats only if I’m not watching anything else at the same time! As it interferes with the TV station that I’m watching. It is very slow at start-up, seems like ages before I can do anything! and the drive is a little noisy. I live in an area where there is very poor digital signal, so dont have alot of channels to view via the set, no ITV or CH4, and sometimes no BBC!… hope that will change in the future. In the meantime I have to record via the satelite, which defeats its object really!
Customer Review: Dissapointing
Sorry, but I have to go against the flow here. I found this machine both difficult to use and unreliable. So much so that I had to take advantage of Amazon’s excellent return policy. I now have a sony RDRHXD560S which I find simnplicity itself to use and excellent quality.
