I have sky+ with only 1 rgb output which i feed to a JS RGB2VGA then to an iscan ultra then to the Hitachi. I tried what you suggested to start off with but when its connected up in loop-through rgb i can notice a deterioration it picture quality when i watch sky through the dvd-r80 , which i find unacceptableIf your sat reciver only has 1 RGB output why not connect the RGB output to EXT2 and use the EXT2 to EXT1 loop-through to view, as well as recording in RGB?
I have , and it sorted my problem out. I had connected things up temporarily with the standard scart and that was the problem . Now replaced with Kimber .75m scart and no deterioration in quality that i can see.Try again, using short, good quality SCART cables.
I think it's a v. good recorder , can hardly tell the difference between live sky and recorded. .Haven't try ed Playback on it though I use my 3800 for that.I have the Philips DVDR80 too,mine is Multi-Region as well.What do you think of yours ?