Pioneer DVR-545 H

Advantages: Great quality, lots of useful features
Disadvantages: Takes a lot of time to work out how to use!

...This is a great product, but only if you take the time to work out how to use all the features and link them together. However, my wife who has never had any problems with technology cannot fathom it, and has to ask me to carry out any recording functions. That having been said the playback, recording and sound quality are all very good - especially through HDMI cable. The player has a few tricks up its sleeve in that it can store pictures from a digital camera and has a jukebox to store music from MP3 players. The in-built TV guide is exceptional. You can list your preferences and the guide will then automatically show recommended programmes for viewing and recording. Also films and sport are shown in different colours so are easy to pick out. The remote link function is also handy. It means the DVR can be hidden from view... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Compact, Excellent sound, attractive and slimline, versatile, multifunction remote
Disadvantages: Only SCART connectors for inputs, Adaptor needed for non-scart stuff

...Recorder (DVD recorder) with the TV. Output on the Video is composite, on the DVR is Composite/S-Video/RGB. This is a very versatile little unit. Other connections are for the 5 surround speakers that are powered by the amp. There is also a subwoofer outlet for a POWERED Subwoofer. This Amp is NOT designed for passive subwoofers. I don't use a sub as the sound to me is overblown. Remaining connections are:- 75 Ohm FM antenna, AM antenna loop, AC mains input, DVD coax socket, DVD optical socket and a DVR/TV optical socket. I told you it was versatile. There is also a "control socket" to allow linking several Pioneer units to share controls. To be honest I don't use this facility despite also having a Pioneer DVD player. **** IMPORTANT ****** On some DVDs you may find that the voices sem to have disappeared. DON'T PANIC, I solved... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: DVD recorder, HDD , Jukebox & surround sound all in one
Disadvantages: cant watch Digital TV if recording Terrestial unless extra scart added

...We scoured the internet to find what we thought would be the answer to all our needs & this system was what we thought would fit them most closely. We needed a new DVD player - multiregion - and a new home cinema system. Also We wanted something with hard disc space so we could store all our CD's & listen to music without getting up & changing Cd's all the time so the pioneer with its built in digital Jukebox seemed like all our dreams had come at once. Setting up was not easy but once we had sorted out the basics from the 155 page manual it was OK. The choice of recording to HDD or to disc was great .. you can also record what you have from HDD to disc if you really like the film or program you have recorded.. BUT you cant record from the digital Jukebox to disc so if creating CD's is your thing then this is not for you .. You can... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful