Advantages: Very versatile, most functions on one screen, customisable buttons, glow in the dark!
Disadvantages: Sometimes loses the plot!

...a handy feature: the volume buttons will always control the volume of your TV or amplifier (you can configure this). Out of the box, the AV3000 is set up to control Sony equipment, and has the ability to operate several brands of equipment - TVs, VCRs, DVD players, amplifiers, CD players, MiniDisc, Laserdisc, and even satellite and cable boxes. It's also programmed to switch on all the equipment with one press of a System Control button, and off with another. Most of the RM-AV3000's buttons are located in the large LCD screen at the top of the controller. In addition to the number keys, you get fifteen programmable function keys, each of which has four different labels which you can choose from. You may think this doesn't provide much functionality, but Sony have thought of just about everything. Except for the Red, Green, Yellow... Read review

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Advantages: Divx/Xvid playback, usb and firewire ports present, wealth of connections.
Disadvantages: Slow starting from standby, is quite large in size, no videoplus.

...I've been on the lookout for a standalone dvd-recorder for my parents for a few months now and what I essentially wanted from a dvd-recorder, was a drop in replacement for the VCR. I didn't need a hard disk for recording hundreds of hours of tv, or timeslip modes or anything like that, and while this recorder doesn't have these functions, it's not exactly short on features in any case. This one happened to catch my eye as I was browsing on the website of my favourite dvd media suplier. It wasn't made by a manufacturer I recognised offhand and there wasn't a lot of extra information available online, but I decided to take a chance and order it anyway, and I've got to say, I'm glad I did. Given the lack of info online, I've tried to make this a detailed review for other buyers. ( so yes it's long :) ) Connections: First off... Read review

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Advantages: Turns your PC into a Freeview Personal Video Recorder
Disadvantages: Not all PCs suited to siting in lounge

....... ************************************************************************ Being able to watch live TV on your PC, and record it, has been with us for some time. Internal adapter cards like the WinTV from Hauppauge come to mind, and there are several other makers in this multi-media field. Quite often, these cards also serve as screen-capture interfaces to enable, for example, an analogue camcorder to be attached. Where the market is decidedly more limited is in the field of DIGITAL TV. For one thing, you’re unlikely to find a BskyB digital satellite card for a PC – the specification and format of a Sky set-top box is jealously policed by them, and licensed to a handful of makers. I did find one free-to-air satellite card by Aver, but it wasn’t specific about which satellite it should be pointed at – there are others, despite what ‘Murdocchio' would prefer you to believe. Trying to find a card capable... Read review

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Advantages: Many different Audio and Video formats/codecs supported. Big display
Disadvantages: Volume not very loud

...The Archos 404 is a multi-functional MP3 Player. It doesn't only play music, with its big display you can also watch films and read PDF docunents. With additional plugins you can play podcasts and even .vob files. There is a range of addons starting with a camera which can be attached to a helmet and finishing with the DVR Station. This docking station gives you the possibility to play your films on TV but also to record on your device from TV. The thing I like most about this device is that, unlike the iPod you don't need any special software to transfer music and films from the computer to the device. On the overall it's a product I would recommend anyone who doesn't only want to listen to music, but also wants to be able to record from TV and watch films.... Read review

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Advantages: one remote for all gadgets, not got lots of remotes hanging about
Disadvantages: bulky to hold, expensive

.../down button and volume up/down button, it also has a mute button. It take 4 x AA batteries for the remote and 2x AA batteries for the back light. This operates from a maximum of 10 meters. In the package you get remote commander, instruction book and component code number list. Straight out of the box the remote is pre-programmed to control sony products, but with code number list this can be changed to use with most brands. Using the codes is the easiest way to programme the remote but to get the best from it you really need to use the learning funtion. Now down to how this works and what it does. This remote can be used to control your tv, up to 3 vcr's, dvd player,vd (ld player), satellite box, cable box, amplifier, cd player, md deck, dat deck, tape deck, radio and a home cinema amplifier. To use this remote you need to select which... Read review

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Advantages: Digital TV, Good picture quality, Excellent remote, User friendly software
Disadvantages: Can't pay for some listed channels, No video editing software, Long recordings freeze the program

...reception isn't good. There are times when the picture skips for a second but this is determined by reception strength. Sometimes happens if you're moving around the room but a signal booster helps. Capture quality is as good as the source and is also excellent. I think this is so much better than an analogue TV card that I had before and cannot fault the picture quality that this card produces. You can record programmes by simply pressing the 'Record' button in the software or on the remote. You can also schedule TV (or radio) recordings (but PC must be switched on, obviously). You can schedule daily, weekly or one time recordings. You do not need to know a channel number as you select it from a list and you do not need to work out the dates since you can select a day from a calendar that pops up, or you can type in a date if you prefer. You... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to manage, good quality recordings
Disadvantages: Format issues (see below)

...disc after playing it on another DVD player. The menu system travels with, meaning that your chapter titles, chapter pictures and custom menu will be shown on your mates DVD machine. The equipment on offer for this format is getting wider, with good DVD recorders selling for about £300. I recommend the DVDR880 from Philips. It works the same as a VCR, with a TV tuner and all the normal recording features. DVD-R/RW - Supported by various companies. Only used this briefly and although it records almost in the same way as DVD+R, you feel slightly isolated from the rest of the DVD recording world. You must finalise your disc before you can play it on another DVD player, meaning you may have to waste a lot of discs if you wish play them at your friends house. Only a select few DVD players will read the format, although it is not known... Read review

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Advantages: Colour LED Screen, Voice Recording, Record tracks from Hi-Fi, Small, Thin, Rechargable Battery
Disadvantages: Small Buttons, Can get scratched

...<<*Overview*>> This Packard Bell AudioDream Colour MP3 player is a class little player with 512MB of memory. It also has up to 16 hours of voice recording time. It is also a cool storage device that will store data other than music. The 512MB player comes in silver while the 1GB player comes in Black. It weighs only 30g and has a built in Lithium-ion battery (rechargeable) with about 10hrs of continuous playing time. So no more batteries to buy…..woohoo. The package comes with earphones, small black drawstring bag, USB cable, phono cable (to connect mp3 player to hi-fi), installation CD, manual and charger. <<*Features*>> The music player is simple to use. To transfer tracks simply connect upto your computer using the USB lead. Doing this will display the transfer screen on the mp3 player. On the computer under My Computer... Read review

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Advantages: controls every device in your house
Disadvantages: its huge!, looks like a desktop calculator

...The Sony RM AV3000 is a dynamic peice of equiptment. It mimics the remote control of loads of devices. By using the touch screen control, it reduces the shown buttons to only the ones you require for the device you are controling, instead of having hundreds of buttons for every option which i found mind blowing on competitor units. Be aware though its a big peice of equiptment, it looks more like a desk top calculator on your sofa arm than a remote control, the clever boffins have made the infared so strong that you don't have to point it in any particular direction so it can just stay next to you on the sofa arm; your device will pick up the signal easily. I really like the ability to programme this unit, mine is set up to switch off my TV, DVD, Amplifier and projector all in one button press, or to set up for cinema (amp on/tv off... Read review

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Advantages: Space saving, crystal clear picture and cheap.
Disadvantages: Sometimes loses signal in bad weather.

...clips comes into it's own with the TV. I've honestly never seen such pin sharp TV. After watching Sky or cable and putting up with the halo's and bit-mapped screen images, it's so good to see this little box of tricks do its thing. When away, you still have total control of what you want to watch by utilizing the EPG, or online TV guide. You just programme what you want recording when you're away and it's there awaiting your return. There's no more need for a video or bulky tapes and with the amazing DVD player built into my iMac, no need for a DVD player either. I have everything inside a two inch LCD monitor. How cool is that?!?! I can store my favourite programmes directly onto my hard disk and watch whenever I want. It takes about 2GB of disk space to download an hour of TV so with todays massive hard drives, that's a lot of faves... Read review

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