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Old meets new in this slick but pricey DVD/VHS combi
If you're in the market for a no-frills DVD/HDD recorder, we think that Panasonic might just have the machine for you...
A feature-packed combi that sticks to a winning formula
In Panasonic's latest AV wonder, digital recording coexists happily with a bygone analogue era called VHS
Plentiful recording and editing tools cover the operational cracks
A stylish, feature-filled Freeview+ machine with 1080p upscaling
Great-value DVD recorder bursting with features
Cool in appearance, the DVR-560HX (the black variant, certainly) has clearly been designed to complement Pioneer’s other AV components.
The latest in a best-selling line, Panasonic’s DMR-EX78 is its first UK DVD/HDD recorder with DivX playback. Also new is Freeview Playback, which delivers PVR-style functionality. Other key attractions include 1080p upscaling via HDMI, a 250GB hard-disk (for up to 441 hours of recording), a USB port for playing photos and MP3 files stored on memory devices, FireWire for digital camcorder dubs, multi-format DVD recording and the neat ability to act as a music jukebox. It’s enough to make any AV fan salivate.
It may be Panasonic’s entry-level DVD/HDD recorder, but the smart-looking DMR-EX768 delivers all of the essentials. Unless you’re living in an area without usable Freeview coverage, that is; this budget marvel, like the rest of Panasonic’s digital-ready range, lacks an analogue tuner.
Slimline by design and serious in appearance, Sony’s latest 160GB HDD/DVD recorder will doubtless attract plenty of shop window admirers, and it has the specs to match.
An AV centre in disguise’, reads the blurb that accompanies Philips’ latest recorder, and it’s a fitting description. Not only can the DVDR5570H record television programmes on its hard disk, but it also bridges the gap between your PC and TV by storing music, photo and video files, while also playing a wide variety of disc formats.
The DMR-EX88 is one of the first DVD/HDD combis to boast a Freeview Playback badge, which means it not only boasts an integrated Freeview tuner and 7-day EPG, but it can also record an entire series at the touch of a button. It'll even detect schedule changes, clashes or split programmes automatically, which makes it a very versatile recording solution. A few other combis offer some of these features, but the Playback badge is your guarantee that it does the lot.
Somewhat more run-of-the mill in styling terms than the quirky Philips DVD recorders of old, the DVDR5520 combines DVD recording with 160GB of HDD capacity, a single digital tuner and HDMI upscaling all the way to 1080p.
Digital recorders continue to appear in ever-increasing varieties, from hard-drive-based personal video recorders, standalone DVD recorders and combinations of the two.A few stalwarts of the videocassette era also add VHS
The latest budget offering from Lite-On, isn't exactly the strong and silent type: it's noisy during operation. Still, a drop-down panel that runs the full length of the fascia gives the impression that Lite-On has something up its sleeve.
The versatile DVD-RAM format offers many of the much-loved features of hard-disk recording, but on the downside it's still incompatible with the vast majority of DVD players on the market.Samsung has opted for DVD-RAM on this standalone recorder
Getting kitted-up for the high-definition age is crucial, but what about all those VHS tapes you're loathe to discard? Combi decks have been around for a while, but Panasonic's newest is aimed squarely at owners of flatscreen TVs
With hard-disk and DVD recording now commonplace and hi-def recorders just around the corner, VHS may seem like an antiquated concept. But just as vinyl lives on despite the popularity of MP3 downloading, the millions of video tapes still being hoarded has granted VCRs a stay of execution.
Our introduction to Funai comes in the form of the very affordable DRV-B2737 DVD recorder/VCR combi.The market for such combis is still strong, both for people who want to transfer their existing VHS collection to DVD...
In the corrupted words of Mark Twain, 'reports of the death of VHS are greatly exaggerated'. A number of high-profile brands are still making videotape players, although they tend to be combined with hi-tech digital recording to add some up-to-date credibility.
It's incredible how quickly DVD recorders have adapted since their debut a couple of years ago. It's also surprising how few recorders have an RGB Scart input for a clean feed from cable, Sky or Freeview boxes
This is an imposing looking recording platform that manages to tick all the boxes for AV enthusiasts.The 160GB hard disk is enough for 34 hours of highest-quality recording, or 455 hours at the lowest setting
With hard-disk recorders now dominating the market, standalone DVD recorders aren't quite as fashionable as they used to be. But the latest deck in Philips' line-up has the enviable distinction of being the slimmest model ever to land on our test bench.
With the analogue switch-off approaching, it's surprising how few DVD recorders have digital TV tuners. While most of the bigger brands are slowly incorporating Freeview into their decks, the budget end is still saturated with machines...