Two DVD recorders with HDD...which one + a scart problem....

[Zak]

Hey guys,

I've been looking at the following two DVD players with HDD.

Phillips HDRW720

Pioneer DVRH-S

Now, the Pioneer one allows burning to dual layer DVDs whereas the Phillips one has an electronic TV guide that apparently works with Sky. It seems the Pioneer one also allows on-screen editing (taking out ads etc.) whereas there's no mention of this about the Phillips one.

I'm going to decide on one very soon. Any recommendations/warnings etc.? I use ritek dvd-rs on my computer...does anyone know if they manufacture +r ones too?

Now, here comes the bigger problem:

I bought a DVD player earlier this year (Sony DVR-NS30 multi region). I popped it in...easy to install but the picture showed up a little fuzzy in colour, but in black and white, it was as clear as day. After ages, I managed to work out that my DVD player doesn't like getting access to my TV through scart socket number 2. I only have two scart sockets on the back of my TV. I got Sky installed a month later and told the installation guy to put the Sky box in scart 2 because my DVD player doesn't show a good picture in scart 2. He told me that Sky doesn't show a good picture through scart 2, he put the Sky box in scart 1 and connected the DVD player via scart to the Sky box. He explained I would be able to watch them both fine, since they both go through scart socket one on the back of the TV...the DVD player just has access to it through the Sky box. The thing is, if I want to watch the DVD player, when I switch it on, it over rides Sky on AV channel 1 (or if it doesn't, I have to switch the Sky box off and then the DVD player will show on screen).

My VCR is connected via normal cables...whatever they're called! But what do I do when I get a new DVD recorder? I need the DVD recorder to be on so it can record programs off Sky...but they both need to access Scart socket one. That means one has to not be in use to use the other....ugh!

There must be a way around this...hopefully someone can help. Thanks in advance

[hech54]

I'm a big Philips fan....but I'd go with the Pioneer. I don't like the newer Philips recorders.

[vcdforme]

I just got the Philips model at Costco for $199.
It has 120 gig HD.

I have no idea what the Pioneer is like, but I just couldn't
believe that this Philips was only $199.
It has a few goofy things about it. Took me a while to
figure it out. The remote is very stupid. After learning curve,
It's an incredibly powerful machine and I highly
recommend it. I'm sure there's better machines, but I
can't justify spending $500 for those.
Even if you only use it for time shifting, its fantastic.
It has some kind of TV Guide (Tivo like thing) in it,
but I really have no use for it as of yet.

Very basic editing.
I'm quite happy with the picture quality.
Even at the lowest setting, it looks pretty good.
The lowest setting on my Panasonic is unwatchable.
Dive in and try one. If you don't like it, Costco is pretty
good about returning things.
It will read all discs, but burns to +/+RW.

Have fun.

[psx_pirate]

Get one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=33166&doy=29m10

or if you want to do it without leaving your armchair try one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=33162&doy=29m10

[therod1]

DO NOT purchase the philips brand... for me the hdrw720 has been the "Yugo" of its genre (HD dvd recorders). i have never had an appliance with so many glitches. worst of all is that support is so shallow, that unless you need advise on how to connect the plug to the wall socket, you'll be left without any resolution to any of the myrid of problems that this unit has cropped up with. "tech" suppport has been unable to resolve any of my problems. their "database" of assistance seems to extend no further than the users manual. i cannot vouch for other manufactures as i have limited, if any experiance with their product. but, subjectivly speaking, i will definately never consider a Philips product again.