Recommendation for DVD Recorder w/ Hard Drive & VHS VCR

[beowulf7]

It's time for Christmas shopping for my folks once again. Last Christmas, my siblings and I bought them a Panasonic SA-XR45 receiver, which we wound up returning and replacing (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=350498) w/ the Kenwood VRS-7100 receiver.

They've had a VCR/DVD player combo unit made by Panasonic for over a year now. They have analog cable and record a lot of shows. They're getting frustrated w/ mislabeled tapes and the poor quality of VHS, so they asked me about a DVD recorder.

What would you recommend? Here are their and my requirements (mostly mine since I'm a little bit more knowledgeable in this than them):

- The DVD player must be progressive scan
- The DVD player must support audio CDs and home made DVD-R or DVD+R (supporting both would be great but not required)
- The DVD player play MP3 CDs, MP3 DVDs, and preferably support ID3 tags
- The DVD player must play SVCDs and we'd like it to play DivX and XVid as well.
- The unit must have component video and fiber optic Toslink audio
- The DVD recorder must support at least -R or +R and preferably both; -RAM support is not necessary
- The unit must have a built-in hard drive so that one can record TV shows to it instead of a disc or tape
- The VCR part of the unit must be "4 Head Hi-Fi"; S-VHS support is not necessary
- The VCR part is strongly desired to have commercial advance/skip
- The unit must be "user friendly" so that my parents can operate it.

And as far as cost goes, we're willing to go as high as $400 or so. That's all I can thin of for now; I'll add more requirements as I think of them. Thanks for your anticipated recommendations and I hope you all had a productive Black Fri. :cool:

[DJ Vision]

The only unit I can think of off the top my head that meets most of your requirements is the JVC DR-MX1S. However, with an MSRP of $999.95, it is a lot over your budget. Have you considered a DVD/HDD recorder? You can always keep the old DVD/VCR for VHS and even hook it up to the DVD/HDD recorder to transfer old family tapes. You're more likely to find one of these in your price range.

[beowulf7]

Originally posted by DJ Vision
The only unit I can think of off the top my head that meets most of your requirements is the JVC DR-MX1S. However, with an MSRP of $999.95, it is a lot over your budget. Have you considered a DVD/HDD recorder? You can always keep the old DVD/VCR for VHS and even hook it up to the DVD/HDD recorder to transfer old family tapes. You're more likely to find one of these in your price range.
Thanks for the reply.

So what you're saying is that not many devices come with DVD recorder, hard drive, and VCR, is that correct? That seems odd since there are many VCR/DVD players available (and I've even see VCR/DVD recorders). Maybe manufacturers consider the VCR component as a legacy item that they're trying to phase out.

I guess in theory, they wouldn't need a VCR if they record everything to the hard drive or DVD +/- R. Yes, they can get a separate VCR to watch certain VHS tapes, but I'm trying to reduce the amount of devices that would have to be hooked up to the VCR so that the audio center doesn't get too cluttered.

I'll also take recommendations for DVD player/recorder/HDD devcies that don't necessarily have a VCR.

Here (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dagv2ziFftU/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?I=257drmx1s&s=41) is the JVC product you mentioned. It does look sharp but too bad it's so expensive. :( Thanks again.

[beowulf7]

Oh yeah, one thing that the aforementioned JVC product does not appear to support but that I think my parents might appreciate in the near future is the ability to play DVD-Audio.

Edit: One other requirement: the product must be silver, not black, so that it matches the rest of their home theater system.

[vferrari]

Hey, at least you're flexible on your requirements, LOL! Good luck getting all that at your price point (even a decent DVDR + HDD unit will go for at around $400). FWIW a pricegrabber search turns up some online retailers selling the JVC MX1 for as low as $650.

[whsbuss]

Give the Pioneer DVR-520H at try. See my post in the main thread.

[JorgeLopez11]

Hey Beowulf!

There are many sound DVD recorder + HDD options out there, but the VCR requirement is narrowing the options. Why don't you use a separate VCR?

Good luck anyway :)

[beowulf7]

vferrari, yes, I did see the JVC DVD recorder for $650. That's a bit steep; I wonder if I should tell them to wait another year (i.e. X-mas 2005) to really get the best bang for the buck. We were thinking the same thing this time last year, and hear we are in late 2004, but it doesn't look like prices have fallen that much. :confused: Also, if I don't get that DVD recorder combo, I have to find something else to get them, LOL.

whsbuss, I saw your thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=474701) you mentioned. It looks like you're having good experience w/ it. Do you know if it plays DVD-A (audio)?

Hey Jorge, what's up? Long time no see. I think I can convince them to either ditch the VCR altogether or use a separate VCR. (For example, they can swap the VCR in their bedroom w/ the VCR/DVD combo currently in the living room.) The main downside w/ the additional device is the extra clutter it creates, but that might be an acceptable tradeoff.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming. :)

[whsbuss]

Originally posted by beowulf7
whsbuss, I saw your thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=474701) you mentioned. It looks like you're having good experience w/ it. Do you know if it plays DVD-A (audio)?


I don't see DVD-A audio listed in the disc compatability chart for the Pioneer. That's not one you see often.

[beowulf7]

Originally posted by whsbuss
I don't see DVD-A audio listed in the disc compatability chart for the Pioneer. That's not one you see often.
Hmm, that stinks. That's another reason I'm thinking of waiting another year. :(

One thing I saw mentioned in some of these DVD recorders is that they have TiVo built in. My folks don't have TiVo and I don't know if they'd ever subscribe to that service, so I don't think they'd use it. But who knows, if they try out TiVo and really like it (to the point that it's worth paying another monthly charge for it), then they may appreciate it.

[beowulf7]

OK, I just confirmed that they don't care about VCR functionality and are willing to stack another device in the entertainment center.

So now we just need a DVD recorder w/ a hard drive that supports all those features I mentioned above. My mother was ready to get this apparent low end Panasonic (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=ELEC&pid=05757354000&tab=spe#tablink) DVD recorder from Sears today (Thanksgiving sale), but it looks cheap (e.g. doesn't support DVD-RW) and has no hard drive, so I told her to not get it.

[beowulf7]

My brother did some research on Panasonic's Web site and came up with the DMR-E85HS (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&itemId=70437&catGroupId=11058&modelNo=DMR-E85HS&surfModel=DMR-E85HS) DVD recorder w/ 120 GB HDD. It looks nice, but I'm concerned that it doesn't play SVCD, DivX, DVD-RW (although w/ a hard drive, writing to a rewriteable isn't as important) I'm assuming no DVD-A, etc. It retails for $600. :eek:

I looked up that model on VideoHelp.com's Web page (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders.php?DVDnameid=312&Search=Search&list=1#comments) for this Panasonic model. TIA.

[Westly-C]

Originally posted by beowulf7
My brother did some research on Panasonic's Web site and came up with the DMR-E85HS (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&itemId=70437&catGroupId=11058&modelNo=DMR-E85HS&surfModel=DMR-E85HS) DVD recorder w/ 120 GB HDD. It looks nice, but I'm concerned that it doesn't play SVCD, DivX, DVD-RW (although w/ a hard drive, writing to a rewriteable isn't as important) I'm assuming no DVD-A, etc. It retails for $600. :eek:

I looked up that model on VideoHelp.com's Web page (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders.php?DVDnameid=312&Search=Search&list=1#comments) for this Panasonic model. TIA.

Here are some detailed specs on the Panasonic units, as per your request in the other "Editting" thread.

All 3 Panny DVD Recorders-side by side comparisons (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2YK9lqp5aAM/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=69800&id=features_and_specs&i=133DMRE85H)

[beowulf7]

Originally posted by Westly-C
Here are some detailed specs on the Panasonic units, as per your request in the other "Editting" thread.

All 3 Panny DVD Recorders-side by side comparisons (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2YK9lqp5aAM/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=69800&id=features_and_specs&i=133DMRE85H)
Thanks. It seems like the only differences between the 85 and 95 are extra 40 GB in HDD space and the display color. I don't think that justifies the ~$100 premium for the 95.

I browsed around Panasonic's Web site and compared (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelComparisonResults?storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&catGroupId=11058&surfCategory=DVD%20Recorders&items=72687|65165|71487|70437|) all of their DVD recorders that have a hard drive.

It's a shame that even their $1,500 DVD recorders don't support some features that a $50 DVD player would, such as DivX, XviD, and SVCD. :mad:

[vferrari]

It seems like the only differences between the 85 and 95 are extra 40 GB in HDD space and the display color. I don't think that justifies the ~$100 premium for the 95.

Wrong. The E95 also adds firewire input and a PC card/SD card reader that supports transfer of mpeg4 encoded video to and from the recorder.

It's a shame that even their $1,500 DVD recorders don't support some features that a $50 DVD player would, such as DivX, XviD, and SVCD.

If you can record to DVD, why would you need to support these marginal formats which were really designed as a compromise solution to support CD as a distribution medium because DVD used to be cost prohibitive. With DVD-R's at $0.30 a pop, you can just convert your divx and svcd content to DVD and take advantage of the superior resolution and authoring advantages of the format.

BTW the JVC VHS/DVDR/HDD deck mentioned previously does support SVCD playback. And I've seen it for as low as $625., so you may just want to take a look.

Do your folks plan on playing a lot of DivX and SVCD discs?

[beowulf7]

Originally posted by vferrari
Wrong. The E95 also adds firewire input and a PC card/SD card reader that supports transfer of mpeg4 encoded video to and from the recorder.
My bad. But I wonder how useful they would find it. Just like some recorders that come w/ TiVo would probably not be very useful b/c I don't think they'd want to pay another monthly fee (on top of the cable bill, etc.).

If you can record to DVD, why would you need to support these marginal formats which were really designed as a compromise solution to support CD as a distribution medium because DVD used to be cost prohibitive. With DVD-R's at $0.30 a pop, you can just convert your divx and svcd content to DVD and take advantage of the superior resolution and authoring advantages of the format.

BTW the JVC VHS/DVDR/HDD deck mentioned previously does support SVCD playback. And I've seen it for as low as $625., so you may just want to take a look.

Do your folks plan on playing a lot of DivX and SVCD discs?
That's a good point that DVD would be superior to SVCD. The reason I brought that up is that they only have a laptop w/ a CD burner - no DVD burner. We recently took my sister's wedding video, which was captured on MiniDV cassette and transferred it over to the laptop. With that laptop (and use of software - TMPEnc), I created an SVCD. It didn't play on their Panasnic DVD/VHS combo unit. :mad: I did some research on videohelp.com and found out that the DVD unit didn't support it. So I made a VCD, and it worked, albeit the quality sucked. Now I find out that another Panasonic DVD device - a high end recorder - still doesn't support SVCD.

Your point is well taken that if it supports a higher format (and I agree that in general, those that can afford a $600 recorder probably have a computer w/ DVD burners), why support a lower format, right? Well, seeing that Panasonic is already supporting a crappy VCD format, why don't they support a superior VCD - SVCD - which should add very little to their engineering and manufacturing cost, right?

About DivX, they wouldn't a DivX from an XviD format. I, however, do. And I admit that I've downloaded some TV shows in either DivX or XviD format so that I can view it on a DVD player. If my folks had a DVD recorder that could play these formats, then I could download some shows and watch on their 57" widescreen TV.

Thanks for the input. I will keep an eye out on that all-in-one JVC unit as well.

[beowulf7]

I am one confused soul. :(

Having a built-in VCR is not only no longer required, but it turns out it may not even be desired. Most importantly, the DVD/hard-drive recorder must work as advertised. That is, it should not lock up, freeze, overheat, make a ton of noise, etc. that some people have complained about (in general) in some earlier recorders.

Also, it should be user friendly since my parents don't have the time to acquire a doctoral degree in electronics in order to operate the darn thing. (And I don't want to be their 24/7 tech support, LOL.)

Finally, it should play DVDs flawlessly. I'd also like it to play non-DVD formats, such as SVCDs, DVD-A, DivX, XviD, etc., but it looks like I'm asking for too much, based on my research on videohelp.com. :(

So far, I'm hearing a lot about Panasonic 'E85, 'E95, Pioneer '520, a couple Toshibas, and the (literally) all-in-one JVC device that DJ Vision mentioned. I have a feeling that by next X-mas, an ideal DVD recorder will be available, but for now, I'll have to settle for one of the above, apparently. : \

Thanks again for your feedback.

[JorgeLopez11]

Hi Beowulf!

Yes.... for the time being it seems you're asking too many features onboard that DVD recorder.... :(

I own a Sony RDR-GX7 which has performed smooth and well since I bought it.... but now I'm starting to scratch my head.... upgraditis has that particular feeling that ....

Oh well, I'll wait for next year news as well

Good luck anyway :)

[beowulf7]

Hey Jorge, how are you doing? Long time no chat. :)

I'm glad to hear you enjoy your Sony. I understand upgrade-itis; it happens to many of us geeks, LOL.

Thanks, I'll continue to do some research. I seem to be researching this stuff every year. 2 years ago, it was for a widescreen TV (wound up getting a 57" Hitachi). Last year it was a receiver and speakers to complete the home theater system. And now, it's the DVD recorder. Ahh, the joy. :)

And I've also been researching other tech toys that are not HTS-related, such as a digicam, MP3 player, cell phone, and computer. Thank God for the Internet! (Maybe I should thank Al Gore instead, LOL.)

[ngohit]

Originally posted by beowulf7
I am one confused soul. :(

Having a built-in VCR is not only no longer required, but it turns out it may not even be desired. Most importantly, the DVD/hard-drive recorder must work as advertised. That is, it should not lock up, freeze, overheat, make a ton of noise, etc. that some people have complained about (in general) in some earlier recorders.
[snip]
So far, I'm hearing a lot about Panasonic 'E85, 'E95, Pioneer '520, a couple Toshibas, and the (literally) all-in-one JVC device that DJ Vision mentioned. I have a feeling that by next X-mas, an ideal DVD recorder will be available, but for now, I'll have to settle for one of the above, apparently. : \

Thanks again for your feedback.

Give me a few days and I'll summarize the article my mother is sending me in the mail. There was an article in ??Business Week?? (or something like that) on what to look for in a DVD recorder. She merely skimmed the article but wanted me to know the two brands recommended were Panasonic and Toshiba.

As well all so painfully know, there are all kinds of recorders (with and without HD, with and without VHS, etc.) so I won't know exac tly what kind of recorders the article focus' on until it comes. SHe told me about the article Saturday so I assume it went out with today's mail.

[beowulf7]

Originally posted by ngohit
Give me a few days and I'll summarize the article my mother is sending me in the mail. There was an article in ??Business Week?? (or something like that) on what to look for in a DVD recorder. She merely skimmed the article but wanted me to know the two brands recommended were Panasonic and Toshiba.

As well all so painfully know, there are all kinds of recorders (with and without HD, with and without VHS, etc.) so I won't know exac tly what kind of recorders the article focus' on until it comes. SHe told me about the article Saturday so I assume it went out with today's mail.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I wonder what DVD recorders BW reviewed. (Kind of an odd magazine to be reviewing electronic gadgets, eh?)

Right now, I'm slightly leaning toward the Pioneer DVR-520H-S, but emphasis on "slightly". If it came stock w/ a 120 GB HDD instead of the smallish 80 GB, for the same price, I'd be leaning a little stronger.

I'll wait for your summary of that article - hopefully by the end of the week. :)

[ngohit]

Originally posted by beowulf7

Right now, I'm slightly leaning toward the Pioneer DVR-520H-S, but emphasis on "slightly". If it came stock w/ a 120 GB HDD instead of the smallish 80 GB, for the same price, I'd be leaning a little stronger.

I'll wait for your summary of that article - hopefully by the end of the week. :)

80 GB sounds small to me. That's why I still have the 85E (in it's box).

The letter only has to travel 300 miles, so with any luck, it might even arrive tomorrow. Anyway, the evening it arrives I'll let you know. I'm interested, too.

Maybe Business Week editors think it's readership is likely to want one of these (difficult to pick out) toys for Christmas.

[ngohit]

beowulf7: If there's a library near you, I'm sure they get BusinessWeek if you want to read the entire article (because even the tiny, rural libary where I live gets it--and this is a normal rather than up-scale area). It's the December 6, 2004 issue, pages 144 and 146. The title is: "Recordable DVDs: Go Ahead, Toss Out Your VCR." Author: Larry Armstrong.


The author, "chose [to review] new models from name-brand makers, either the cheapest model in their line or the next step up. THe next step up usually is a DVD recorder with a VCR built in."

Models pictured in article:

p.144:

GoVideo VR2940
Philips DVDR615
RCA DCR8300N

p.146
Panasonic DMR-E75V
Lite-On LVW-5005
Toshiba D-VR3

[snip]
"My recommendations? FIgure out how you use your VCR before you buy a DVD recorder. If you have a hard time programming your VCR, steer clear of the Panasonic and Phillips models... they were the most difficult to figure out [of the models he tested], with complicated on-screen menus, imcomprehensible manuals, and, in Phillips' case, a remote control with button labels signed to baffle you (what's the difference between "O.K." and "Select"?)."

[snip]

His, "best bets amond the entry level recorders are ithe Panasonic and Toshiba models if you mostly record shows to watch later then delete them. Both can record on DVD-RAM disks...

His favorite with a HD is the Toshiba RD-XS32 which he says people can "find for about $400."

He says not to get hung up on the -/+ differences.

There are some notes under each DVD recorder pictured.

Here's another article from early November. Not sure if the above is posted there yet:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_45/b3907430.htm

My pet has been very ill since Monday night. Taking care of him has *totally* taken up my time. His fever broke and he started to eat Friday night, but I have been so exhausted from the hourly force liquids since Tuesday afternoon I just couldn't connect here to type. He should have been hospitalized! Vaccination reaction.

Edit: Groan. I was just at the BusinessWeek site. The article I typed some things from can be accessed there now. One has to register, but it's free. Here's the URL once registered:

http://www.businessweek.com/@@pQySa4cQjt54shgA/magazine/content/04_49/b3911114.htm

[beowulf7]

Originally posted by ngohit
beowulf7: If there's a library near you, I'm sure they get BusinessWeek if you want to read the entire article (because even the tiny, rural libary where I live gets it--and this is a normal rather than up-scale area). It's the December 6, 2004 issue, pages 144 and 146. The title is: "Recordable DVDs: Go Ahead, Toss Out Your VCR." Author: Larry Armstrong.


The author, "chose [to review] new models from name-brand makers, either the cheapest model in their line or the next step up. THe next step up usually is a DVD recorder with a VCR built in."

Models pictured in article:

p.144:

GoVideo VR2940
Philips DVDR615
RCA DCR8300N

p.146
Panasonic DMR-E75V
Lite-On LVW-5005
Toshiba D-VR3

[snip]
"My recommendations? FIgure out how you use your VCR before you buy a DVD recorder. If you have a hard time programming your VCR, steer clear of the Panasonic and Phillips models... they were the most difficult to figure out [of the models he tested], with complicated on-screen menus, imcomprehensible manuals, and, in Phillips' case, a remote control with button labels signed to baffle you (what's the difference between "O.K." and "Select"?)."

[snip]

His, "best bets amond the entry level recorders are ithe Panasonic and Toshiba models if you mostly record shows to watch later then delete them. Both can record on DVD-RAM disks...

His favorite with a HD is the Toshiba RD-XS32 which he says people can "find for about $400."

He says not to get hung up on the -/+ differences.

There are some notes under each DVD recorder pictured.

Here's another article from early November. Not sure if the above is posted there yet:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_45/b3907430.htm

My pet has been very ill since Monday night. Taking care of him has *totally* taken up my time. His fever broke and he started to eat Friday night, but I have been so exhausted from the hourly force liquids since Tuesday afternoon I just couldn't connect here to type. He should have been hospitalized! Vaccination reaction.

Edit: Groan. I was just at the BusinessWeek site. The article I typed some things from can be accessed there now. One has to register, but it's free. Here's the URL once registered:

http://www.businessweek.com/@@pQySa4cQjt54shgA/magazine/content/04_49/b3911114.htm
Thanks a lot! I appreciate you retyping snippets of that article. :)

I actually started poking around BW's Web site and found the Nov. article but not the new one you posted. Thanks to the link, I can now read that article - and it didn't even require registration.

I haven't done much research on Toshibas, but it looks like the author of that BW article likes it quite a bit. He didn't say much (good or bad) about the Pioneer. :confused: I think I'm going to rule out Panasonic. I'm not sure about JVCs.

Ahh, the confusion and indecision on my part. :(

BTW, good luck w/ your pet's health. Hopefully he didn't suffer too much and that he's on the road to recovery. :)

[ngohit]

The December issue of Consumer Reports has an article on DVD recorders. Their Bet Buy for DVD RECORDERS WITH BUILT-IN VCR
= Panasonic DMR-E75V $500. It got the best rating in the 'extended recording' category. You might have a hard time with the list part of the following, but here's part of the article.

I subscribe to C.R. online and have ever since they first offered it. *Much* nicer than via the magazine route. No more piles of old issues. Very easy access to archived articles:


Ratings DVD RECORDERS


CR Quick Recommendations

See a summary of test findings and Quick Picks--the choices that merit first consideration including any CR Best Buys.


Used at their highest-quality (one-hour-capacity "fine") settings to record a clean TV signal, most recorders produced excellent images. (With combo units, hard-drive recordings were identical in quality to content recorded on DVD at the same quality settings.) Recordings at the next-to-fine settings were very nearly as good and allow you to fit a two-hour movie on one DVD. But at the lowest ("extended play") settings, images had considerably less detail and a greater tendency to occasionally display fleeting little squares.
In fact, overall quality at the extended settings differed little from what you'd get from VCR recordings--including those from the tested DVD/VCR units, which all yielded good-quality images at their best (SP) VCR setting and fair quality at their extended play (EP) setting.

Like DVD players, DVD recorders varied in ease of use (remote, menus, etc.). And only certain recorders, such as the JVC DR-M10SUS (3) and Sharp DV-HR300U (9), improved film- and video-based DVDs played on a digital TV.

Quick Picks

Best choices in DVD-only recorders:
1 Panasonic, $300, CR Best Buy
3 JVC, $450

The Panasonic DMR-E55 (1) excels in both basic performance and ease of use; it also offers "time slip" via DVD-RAM discs. The JVC DR-M10SUS (3) can control a cable or satellite box and is among the best performers with a digital TV.


Best choice with a built-in hard-drive:
8 Panasonic, $600

Though pricey, the Panasonic DMR-E85H (8) can control a cable or satellite box and comes with TV Guide Onscreen, a free programming guide that further simplifies TV recording (but on this unit, it isn't compatible with satellite-TV broadcasts).



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Best choice for versatile TV recording:
11 Pioneer, $500

This is the only tested model that will work with TiVo, the versatile subscription programming service.


Best choice in a DVD recorder/VCR:
13 JVC, $450

The JVC DR-MV1S (13) will record two programs at once, can control a cable or satellite box, has progressive-scan output in VHS (useful with a digital TV), and records on DVD-RAM discs for time-slip capability.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click for more information.
Brand and model Price Overall score Test results Features
Small type: similar model(s)
indicates a Quick Pick meriting first consideration.
CR Best Buy indicates an exceptional value.
DVD-ONLY RECORDERS
1 Panasonic DMR-E55 CR Best Buy $300 • • •
2 LG LGDVDR313 $500 • • • • • • •
3 JVC DR-M10SUS $450 • • • • • • • •
4 Aspire Digital AD-8091 $220 • • •
5 Toshiba D-R2 $320 • • • • • •
6 Philips DVDR615 $400 • • • • •
7 RCA DRC8005N $300 • • •
DVD/HARD-DRIVE RECORDERS
8 Panasonic DMR-E85H $600 • • • •
9 Sharp DV-HR300U $470 • • • • • •
10 Toshiba RD-XS32 $500 • • • • • • •
11 Pioneer DVR-810H $500 • • • •
DVD RECORDERS WITH BUILT-IN VCR
12 Panasonic DMR-E75V $500 • • •
13 JVC DR-MV1S $450 • • • • • • • •
14 Go-Video VR4940 $400 • • • • •
15 RCA DRC8300N $370 • •

Ricky's doing much better. Thanks. I'm going to feed him a special diet for the next week, though, to help build up his system.

[beowulf7]

Thanks again, ngohit. After doing some research on this forum and the links you mentioned (or what you paraphrased), I decided to go with the Pioneer DVR-520H-S. It's probably the most expensive HDD-based DVR in terms of per GB, but it seems to be the easiest to use and most user friendly, not to mention have the least bugs and most features.

Thanks again for your input, along with others who replied to this thread.

I will physically see the DVR (I had it shipped directly to my parents) on Christmas and will set it up next weekend. I will provide my comments the following week. I look forward to it! :)

[beowulf7]

Here's a quick update to this thread, now it's been several weeks since I last checked back.

My parents are enjoying the Pioneer DVR-520H-S HDD/DVD recorder we got them for X-mas. My father is learning more and more features. I don't think they've burned a DVD yet; everything's been recorded to the hard drive so far. Chase Play is one of the biggest usefulness of a HDD/DVD recorder vs. a traditional VCR. Obviously, the quality is potentially much better of a recorded show when saved to the HDD at the highest quality vs. VHS or even S-VHS.

I haven't gotten the chance to read the manual yet, but I plan on visiting the folks this weekend and give the manual a quick read. The unit plays movie DVDs, audio CDs, and SVCDs flawlessly. I haven't tried playing an MP3 CD on it yet, but that's another thing I want to try this weekend.