Page 1 of Help! - which DVD recorder with HDD...?

I`ve been reading all the arguements about what formats to have and what makes, and even what`s faulty if it can`t play certain media! - and I`m lost!!

I want a (first) DVD recorder with HDD that is not too expensive, say £300ish limit.

I`m not too bothered about the format it records in as most of the time it will be used as a HDD PVR. My Pioneer 444 seems to play most things I put in it, and if not the XBOX plays will. Not bothered about DVD-RAM as the HDD will be doing the work.

I only have a 29" Tosh CRT TV, so Prog Scan etc not an issue.

EPG would be nice, and something like IR Blaster to control the NTL DigiBox.

Been looking at the Panny e85 or the (new) H50, but I`d consider anything! (was looking at the LiteOn 5045 until I read some reviews)

Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Paul

....anybody....? Please help!

Seem to have a shortlist now...

Pioneer DVR 520
Panasonic DMR E85
Toshiba RD XS34
Panasonic DMR EH50

Anybody have any views on these (or similar) models?

Thanks, Paul

hi, i have the pioneer 420 and would happily recommend it. its amazing how quickly the HD fills up i have to record things now on EP and think the quality is great. i chose pioneer as i`ve had my original trouble free pioneer dvd player for over 3 years and got my mum one so its easy playing recorded dvds on each machine. (there are 2 disc recording options). i thinks its got lots of useful features and editing programs is easy. couldn`t live without it!! hope that helps.

sandra

The 420 is an excellent choice,and only £299 from Richer Sounds.I am surprised the other poster has managed to fill up the HDD .If you need to get a bigger HDD try the 720 ,but thats over £400.
The EH50 is probably best to go for but is also only 80Gb.
Forget the Pioneer 520.Its only the 420 with a DV input added

The Panasonic DMR EH50 is the best if you can afford it. It will record to +R/-R/-RW Video/ RAM. It will play ALL formats and has the best 4 hour mode.

The Pioneer 420 (or 520 if you need the ilink for a camcorder) is a good machine and you should be able to find it much cheaper than the Panasonic.The 420/520 recording quality over approx 2hrs 20mins won`t be as good as the EH50 but will you need to put more than this on a disc? Also the 420/520 won`t play RAM disc`s if you know anyone with RAM that might lend you recordings.

Don`t know much about the Toshiba RD XS34 but the RD XS32 is very fussy about media and won`t play +R/+RW/-RW VR mode disc`s. People`s comments can be found on most websites about these problems. If you want RAM get the Panasonic DMREH50.

Panasonic DMR E85 Although a very good machine only has -R / RAM. If its cheap and you would only watch off the HDD or keep recordings on -R thats fine but you won`t be able to record to -RW.

Thanks guys... I`m going to have a closer look at the Pioneer 420... I have a Pioneer 444 which has been good and still going strong, so I already like Pioneer.

I shall be using the machaine mainly from the HDD, so the media type isn`t a big issue, but the option to backup stuff to be played on another machine may be usefull.

Cheers, Paul

I have been reading all of this with interest as I wanted to ask the same question! I was about to purchase the Pioneer 520 based on the information above but then someone told me I should not consider a dvd recorder which was minus-R. and I understand this is what the Pioneer is. What does this mean?

I want to be able to record all my videos on to dvd. Copy from my camcorder (to the hard drive?) and then make several copies for the family. The Pioneer 520 seemed to do all of this - am I correct? I have an 8 year old Hitachi TV and have Sky - not Sky+

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks

Whoever told you to stick with DVD+ has not got a clue.
They are either tightfisted(most DVD+ decks are cheap in every way)or don`t know what they are talking about.
DVD-R is the most compatible format(check cdr info site for comparisons)but you should find that +R and -R will be ok on most new players.
As the only HDD models available with DVD+ feature limited editing features you would be better off going for a Panasonic EH50 or Pioneer 520.The 520 has DV input.If your camcorder is not DV then the 420 would do.

welcome back phelings under your new guise!

I too have been looking for a dvd/hdd recorder and decided on the Pioneer 520 from
https://www.discountaudiovision.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=DVR520H
Must admit it`s a confusing sector of the market at the moment with so many choices out there, just hope i`ve made the right one :/