Help a newbie shop?

[Pulsar29]

Guys --

Time to do some *modest* upgrading, but I am finding wading through the maze of DVD-HDD a challenge... have already spent several hours and think I'm just as confused as when I started.

Budget: $300 or less (no guffaws, please).

Want to be able to play back DivX and Xvid files burned onto CDs or DVDs

Wife, of course, wants it to be a convenient, good time-shifter

Plus, I hard drive would be nice; probably 80 Gigs would do. What do I miss without a hard drive?

With my budget, am I dreaming? Any models y'all might recommend I check into?

Many thanks,

* pulsar

[RabidDog]

Where?

[Neuron]

...Want to be able to play back DivX and Xvid files burned onto CDs or DVDs ...

LG RC199H. Price ~ $300 (or even less now)
Plays back DivX / XviD video and has decent up-scaler (up-converter for HDTV).
Only one disadvantage - has no HDD.
I personally do not like combo units but this DVD recorder is very good one. IMHO of course.

[Pulsar29]

Thanks, Neuron.... I've been looking at some of the LG models -- seems to be quite a big of value there for the money... will check it out.

* Pulsar