Group Test: DVD/hard disk recorders

Overview: Price: £400 Website: www.panasonic.co.uk Size: 80x400x270mm Weight: 4kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-A, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R, DVD-RAM Hard drive: 80GB Video connections: S-Video, RGB Scart, component Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Coaxial out, optical out Plus points: Complete compatibility; extremely easy to use; SD card slot Minus points: Average TV tuner affects recordings

Panasonic DMR-EH50

Panasonic has long been regarded as the brand to beat among DVD recorders but stiffening competition at this price point could leave its latest player at a loose end.

The DMR-EH50 shares a similar specification to its rival recorders in this test. Digital recording options are doubled by an integrated 80GB hard drive that can be used to store up to 142 hours of recordings in the lowest quality mode. On the software side, multi-format compatibility covers all recording discs except for DVD+RW, but more uniquely, there's also a SD memory card slot that can be used to store and access data from devices such as a digital cameras.

Using Panasonic's proprietary DVD-RAM format will give you access to more on-disc editing features and time slip functions such as chasing playback and simultaneous playing and recording. Otherwise, all recording options ranging from manual timer settings to instant (one second) 'Quickstart' recordings are incredibly easy-to-use courtesy of clear, graphically presented menus.

Recording quality is always dictated by the strength of a recorder's integrated TV tuner. And, while the DMR-EH50's broadcasts are fine for everyday viewing they are occasionally disrupted by soft edges and smearing movement. Subsequently, although high quality copies are identical to the original they still carry the same flaws. As usual there's a choice of recording modes, which trade recording length for overall picture quality - recordings remain relatively faithful across all modes except for the lowest quality option (EP), which struggles with instability and picture noise.

DVD playback performance fares better with bold, bright colours and improved detail and depth especially when using progressive scan video via component connections.

Verdict: Panasonic's DMR-EH50 is extremely compatible and more than competent but new rivals threaten to displace it as the expected class leader.

Overview: Price: £400 Website: www.sharp.co.uk Size: 60x430x320mm Weight: 5kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-RAM, CD, VCD, MP3, WMA Recording formats: DVD-R/-RW Hard drive: 80GB Video connections: composite, S-Video, RGB Scart, component Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Coaxial out, optical out, phono Plus points: Comprehensive playback compatibility; superior low quality recordings Minus points: Limited recording compatibility; ordinary recording and playback quality

Sharp DV-HR400H

Sharp's DV-HR400H is a bit of an oddball - recording performance using high quality modes is only average but it offers better ability than its rivals when using low quality modes. So, if recording length is more important than overall quality it's an acceptable alternative.

The specification features a similar 80GB hard drive to most of its test rivals although it will only fit up to 100 hours of recording in the lowest quality mode. And recording disc compatibility is also comparatively limited. You can only record using DVD-R/-RW discs, which offers less versatility (although you can playback any recording format, even DVD-RAM). There are no such constraints with connectivity, which includes all standard AV outputs as well as progressive scan enabling component connections and an i.Link input for camcorders.

The ordinary quality of its recordings stems from a distinctly average integrated analogue tuner. Broadcasts appear generally well balanced with adequate depth and detail but fast-paced action or complex scenes fall prey to blurred edges and noisy backgrounds. Edge definition, depth and detail are consistent in recordings using the highest quality mode but colours are noticeably bleached from the original. However, using quality modes further down the hierarchy produces less deterioration than expected and the lowest mode outperforms all of its rivals' equivalents.

Colours brighten up with DVD playback but there's still some motion rendering problems especially with slow-panned movements. And there's still a recurring sign of background picture noise, even when using progressive scan.

Verdict: Although Sharp's DV-HR400H can offer better recordings in low quality modes it's distinctly average elsewhere.

Overview: Price: £400 Website: www.sony.co.uk Size: 70x430x330mm Weight: 5kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, VCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+RW (dual layer) Hard drive: 80GB Video connections: S-Video, RGB Scart, component Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Coaxial out, optical out, phono Plus points: Broad disc compatibility including dual layer discs; fuss-free functionality; superb recording and playback performance Minus points: Not compatible with DVD-RAM discs

The marketing men have endowed Sony's range of DVD recorders with an 'IQ' acronym, standing for Intelligence and Quality. And the RDR-HX510's class leading performance and user-friendly functionality means its moniker is fully deserved.

Disc recording covers practically all formats with only DVD-RAM excluded from entry. And this is the only recorder here that accepts dual layer DVD+R discs, which doubles your recording time on a single disc without any loss of quality. Otherwise, there's an integrated 80GB hard drive that can cram up to 134 hours of recording in the lowest quality mode. And, previously omitted, component connections have now been installed to improve standard DVD playback by way of progressive scan video.

Operation couldn't be easier using well-presented menus and an intuitive remote to guide you through a full range of recording, editing and archiving options. There are also some notable extra features such as Intelligent Scene Chaptering, which recognises scene changes and automatically inserts chapters - very clever, and so Sony.

The excellent integrated analogue tuner provides the perfect template for recordings. And, with the highest quality mode (HQ+) recording at a higher bit rate than DVDs, copies are virtually inseparable from the originals. Even some of the lower quality modes produce unexpectedly good recordings with only the lowest quality modes suffering from edge degeneration and the arrival of picture noise.

Standard DVD playback performance is peerless among recorders and even standalone players will struggle to scale these heights. Deep blacks produce solid, detailed images with enviable depth while colours appear beautifully balanced and natural.

Verdict: Sony's RDR-HX510 sits ahead of its rivals as a digital recorder par excellence offering outstanding ability in every aspect.

Overview: Price: £400 Website: www.home-entertainment.toshiba.co.uk Size: 60x430x340mm Weight: 5kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-R/-RW, DVD-RAM Hard drive: 160GB Video connections: Composite, S-Video, RGB Scart, component, DVI Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Coaxial out, optical out, phono Plus points: 160GB hard drive memory; features galore; fine recording and playback performance Minus points: Over elaborate menu system; No DVD +R/+RW recording

What sets Toshiba's RD-XS34 apart from its test rivals is a massive 160GB hard drive memory which should keep even the most ardent TV addict contented, but bigger doesn't always mean better.

The huge hard drive offers up to 276 hours of recording using the lowest quality mode or 36 hours in the highest quality. Disc compatibility is slightly less extensive with entry granted for standard DVD-R/-RW discs and DVD-RAM but no admittance for +R/+RW formats, although you can still play them. And there's a host of high-end connections including a pair of RGB Scarts, component inputs and a DVI input for camcorder users.

The feature count outnumbers its rivals offering an exhaustive assortment of advanced recording, editing and playback options. One intuitive extra is the ability to manually select the recording bit rate, which allows you to align recording quality with the time available on disc to ensure you get the best possible copies. But with more features to cater for, the seemingly endless, icon-aided menu system can be confusing, especially as the unresponsive remote appears to be communicating on a different wavelength.

The Toshiba's analogue tuner produces bright, evenly balanced pictures with commendable stability and only the occasional smattering of picture noise. And recordings, especially in the highest quality mode, are indistinguishable to the original. Recording quality does depreciate using lower quality modes but with such a sizeable hard drive you should rarely need to use them.

DVD pictures display clean, bright images with a penchant for natural colours. But black levels could delve deeper to give the picture more solidity and sharper detail in some scenes.