Pioneer DVR 550 HX

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: record_play most DVD media, play DivX/MPEG4, DVD to from HDD
Disadvantages: No multiple selection for DVD writing from HDD, no USB port

...In Jan 2006 bought a Umax Chili DVR9200HX recorder from Maplin (it is no longer available anywhere in the UK) and it broke. Got a replacement and that failed too. Finally got a refund after lots of phone calls. Eventually settle for this one which is of a similar spec or better. The price is cheaper than the 9200HX - £170 from eBuyer inclusive of VAT and delivery. This is reasonable priced and is easy to set up and the manual is well written. It has a easy-to-use Guider menu for direct access to DVD/HDD functions. The content menu for DVD/HDD shows all videos, pictures stored and you can select which title to play or which picture to display. It can play and record all the + and - DVD media and got most of the essential connectors - AV DV SCART except USB (useful for my camera or even pen drive DVR9200HX got this). It can play... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: low price, AV DV USB SCART connections, play all R/RW format
Disadvantages: only writes + R/ + RW media, reliability issue

...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful