Which DVD Recorder?

[BenW]

Hi, first post!

I have a philips 32" tv, normal bits with an integrated freeview tuner. Wanting to get a dvd recorder for it.

I've looked at the philips ones and well, the reviews don't praise them!

The panasonic ones seem to get good comments, the DMRE85 can be had at richersounds for £300, any good?

So whats the best around with hard drive for £300?

Thanks!
Ben

[Rasczak]

Have a look at the 'Which DVD Recorder?' link in my signature for basic advice. Note that the E85 has been replaced by the new EH50. You're quite right to avoid Philips machines.

[BenW]

Thanks Rasczak, someone else told me about that link so deffinatly reading through

How does the E85/50 compare to other models though?

Cheers
Ben

Edit: Just seen its your site, nice site you have there!

[Rasczak]

Just seen its your site, nice site you have there!

The site belongs to JamesL - I just wrote the 'Which DVD Recorder?' and contributed to the 'DVD-RAM to DVD-R' conversion articles.

How does the E85/50 compare to other models though?

The E85 is an excellent machine but I would suggest you to go for the latest model - it has undergone a series of quite major improvements (upto 4hrs full resolution recording).

The 'competition' for the EH50 is the Toshiba RDXS34 and Sony RDR-GX510. Both are excellent machines - do a search of the forum to decide if these may suit you better. Whilst neither match the recording picture quality of the EH50 the Toshiba has more authoring options: ability to set precise bitrates, set menu backgrounds etc

[GARYFORUMS]

as it mentions in ras' site - toshibas have some fan noise ?

presumably for h.d. cooling - worth baring in mind if you
hear like a bat like me !