Panasonic - All in one v PVR & HDD-DVD

I have a Panasonic 32 inch widescreen / flatscreen television, Panasonic
Freeview box, Panasonic Video and Panasonic DVD player.

For my next purchase I had wanted to purchase a DVD player / recorder
and a Home Cinema system - in one box if possible, and had more or less
decided on the Panasonic SC-HT 1500. However had been put off by the
fact that it didn't have EPG, or a digital tuner (although this isn't
really a priority).

Ideally I want to ditch the VHS and get a home cinema system, Freeview,
HDD-DVD recorder in as little boxes as possible - I hate the sight of
all those wires as well as not being able to understand how they all
connect. I also want whatever I purchase to be sufficient for 5 - 6
years and as you will have noted, I prefer Panasonic.

I've been reading magazines for a while and have now got information
overload, what with HDD-DVD recorders, PVRs, HD / blu ray etc. I don't
know what would be my best option.

I would be really grateful for any advice on what to purchase to
achieve the combination I want.

Thanks

[paulmach1]

Hi mate, I'm in the same boat as you. My AV amplifier has gone on the blink so I figured why not replace with a DVD recorder/amp all in one and get rid of the VCR and a host of cables to boot.I was looking at the Pioneer RCS-9H. That has a 80GB HD aswell, but I'm a bit unsure about the speaker configuration. £710 on the net.They do a slightly better version for £900. It has a built in tuner, but I don't think it is digital, wouldn't really bother me.The blu-ray and HD-DVD stuff goes over my head aswell. I don't want to end up paying the thick end of a grand for a setup that is obselete in two or three years.

[paulmach1]

Found a review of the Panny. Sounds similar to the pioneer, gets a good review.But I tell you what is a good plus with the Pioneer, it records DVD-RW aswell as DVD-R, could save you a bit of money in the long run

I think my VCR is on its last legs and was on the verge of buying a Panasonic recorder with a built-in hard disc. The Panny now does all DVD formats. However sales rep showed me a Freeview box (twin digital tuners) and built in dard disk recorder - if only it accepted DVDs as well.

If the VCR holds out I will wait for new models after Christmas and maybe the price of the wireless surround sound systems will come down a bit as well.

[paulmach1]

Originally Posted by Sam the man

I think my VCR is on its last legs and was on the verge of buying a Panasonic recorder with a built-in hard disc. The Panny now does all DVD formats. However sales rep showed me a Freeview box (twin digital tuners) and built in dard disk recorder - if only it accepted DVDs as well.

If the VCR holds out I will wait for new models after Christmas and maybe the price of the wireless surround sound systems will come down a bit as well.

Sorry, Sam, I didn't read the specs properly first time round. Yes it does do the DVD-RW.
My VCR's recording is getting a bit ropey aswell, that's why I was thinking of the all in one. I need to research a bit more before I commit