Group test: Freeview/DVD/hard disk recorders

Overview Price comparison: Panasonic DMR-EX85EB More info: Panasonic Size: 430x58x329mm Weight: 4.3kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-A, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-RAM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R Dual Layer & DVD+R Double Layer Hard drive: 250GB Video connections: HDMI out, i.Link camcorder in, 2x composite and S-video in, composite and S-video out, 2x Scarts (1x composite/RGB/S-video in, 1x composite/RGB/S-video out), component output (phonos), RF aerial in/out Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: 2x stereo in (phonos), 1x stereo out (phonos), optical digital out Panasonic DMR-EX85EB Panasonic has a good reputation with its 'Diga' recorder range and the 2006 line-up goes further. In addition to the Freeview tuner and an ample 250GB hard disk drive, there's an HDMI digital output along with upscaling to 720p or 1080i HDTV-style resolutions. This is not as good as real HD but it improves your Freeview and DVD picture quality. The electronic programme guide (EPG) is simple to navigate and a single button-press will set a recording. It's also straightforward to extend the timer with extra minutes or to alter recording quality modes. The hard drive stores between 55 and 443 hours of TV, depending on image quality setting. As with most integrated Freeview recorders, programme names are copied to hard drive or DVD so it's quick to find what you want. Here you can edit the recording (chopping ads, etc) and copy to DVD. The DMR-EX85EB can record to every variety of blank DVD (at the time of this test), including dual-layered write-once types holding twice as much. You can transfer at high speed or, if the recordings don't fit, they can be adjusted in real time. The only serious drawback is that if you are recording you can't access the EPG or edit and dub any hard drive content - though you can play anything from HDD or DVD. The ease of use and superb picture quality of this well-specced combi make this one of the best all-rounders for recording digital TV and enjoying DVD.

Verdict Plus points HDMI output with HD upscaling; multi-format DVD recording; easy to use; very good AV quality Minus points No EPG or editing and dubbing of other programmes while recording; no set-top box control

Overview Price comparison: Philips DVDR7250H More info: Philips Size: 435x76x335mm Weight: 5kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW (Video mode), DVD+R Double Layer Hard drive: 160GB Video connections: i.Link camcorder in, 2x Scarts (1x composite/RGB/S-video in, 1x composite/RGB/S-video out), composite & S-video in/out, component output (phonos), 2xRF aerial in/out Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Stereo line in (phonos), 2x stereo line out (phonos), coaxial digital in/out, optical digital out Philips DVDR7250H This recorder's range of connections is pretty good, with RGB Scarts and component video, however its progressive scan performance is not great so it's best to stick to the RGB or interlaced component picture here. There's also no HDMI output for a digital AV connection but given the relatively low price, that's no surprise. The 160GB HDD records between 31 and 250 hours depending on picture quality, but this is where the DVDR7250H fails massively. For one, the recording modes are hard to alter and, once done, it's a global change that even affects pending timer events. The lower modes are extremely poor, too, so it's important to check what setting is used. There are also few editing options compared to other recorders and, worst of all, if a programme doesn't fit on DVD, you can only split it across two discs rather than make the recorder adjust it. In its favour, the GuidePlus EPG system controls external digiboxes in case you aren't using built-in Freeview. The DVDR7250H also records to every disc format except DVD-RAM and dual layer DVD-Rs (+R DL is fine). A low price and dual-format DVD recording make this worth considering but if you're a dedicated video buff you won't like the operational quirks and lacklustre editing features.

Verdict Plus points Low price; set-top box control; i.Link input Minus points No HDMI out; limited editing and copy features; record mode setting is tricky; sluggish to use; lower recording modes and progressive scan are poor

Overview Price comparison: Pioneer DVR-540HX More info: Pioneer Size: 420x79x318mm Weight: 4.5kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM (non cartridge), CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX/XviD Recording formats: DVD-RAM (non cartridge), DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R Dual Layer & DVD+R Double Layer Hard drive: 160GB Video connections: 2x Scarts (composite, RGB, S-video in/out); component output (phonos), composite and S-video in/out, 2x RF aerial in/out Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Stereo line in/out (phonos), coaxial digital out Pioneer DVR-540HX Pioneer only added a Freeview tuner to its recorder range in 2006 but it has made a good job of this one, integrating it alongside the GuidePlus option, so like the Philips, you can also control separate digiboxes. Moreover, Pioneer's recorders have excellent features for digital video recording. Like the earlier DVR-530H, you can edit or dub (at high speed) even while recording something else on HDD. The 160GB capacity stores between 34 and 455 hours across its many quality modes. It also squeezes an unrivalled amount onto DVDs (24 hours on a dual-layer disc!), though for general use, it's advisable not to exceed 136hr on HDD, 4hr on a DVD and 7hr on dual-layer DVD if you want a decent image. Like the Panasonic, Pioneer's DVR-540HX records to any blank DVD and the picture quality for recording and playback is impressive. The less desirable aspect is its lack of connectivity. There are RGB Scarts and progressive scan via component but no HDMI and no i.Link (for camcorders). This will be added to the DVR-545HX step-up version, due October 2006, so it's worth bearing that in mind. If you don't need multimedia digital connectivity but you do want the most versatile integrated Freeview-HDD and DVD recorder, then this is the best buy.

Verdict Plus points Multi-format DVD recording; set-top box control; versatile recording, editing and dubbing features; good AV quality Minus points Lacks HDMI out; no i.Link input

Overview Price comparison: Sony RDR-HXD560 More info: Sony Size: 430x65x328mm Weight: 4.4kg Playback formats: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD+R Double Layer Hard drive: 80GB Video connections: i.Link in, composite & S-video in/out, 2x Scarts (1x composite/RGB/S-video in, 1x composite/RGB/S-video out), component output (phonos), RF aerial in/out Progressive scan: Yes Audio connections: Stereo line in (phonos), stereo line out (phonos), coaxial digital out Sony RDR-HXD560 This stylish machine also has a well thought out remote control and elegant on-screen menu. You can browse the programme guide while recording (unlike the Panasonic) and timer setting is reasonably simple, though a bit more involved if you want to adjust the quality mode. You cannot seemingly alter the start or end times in the timer (unless you use the manual entry route) so it risks recordings cutting short if the broadcaster overruns without updating the EPG. This may improve because the RDR-HXD560 is compatible with forthcoming features that Freeview is introducing, such as enhanced Series Recording. It has an i.Link camcorder input and twin Scarts allowing RGB in or out. There's no HDMI or DivX playback and the hard drive is a measly 80GB (the imminent 160GB step-up model - RDR-HXD860 - addresses those deficiencies for an extra £50). Despite no HDMI, the picture looks very good via RGB or progressive scan. The RDR-HXD560 stores between eight and 106 hours on the hard drive across nine quality presets, while the DVD drive records on all current blanks except DVD-RAM and dual layer DVD-R (it plays all standard formats) but bizarrely it cannot record full anamorphic 16:9 onto the '+' formats, compelling you to use DVD-R/-RW for widescreen. Unfortunately you cannot dub or edit anything (except delete) while making new hard drive recordings, so it's less versatile than the Pioneer. Also Sony's innovative 'intelligent chapter creation' feature, which helped skip ads, has sadly gone AWOL from Sony's line-up. An easy to use digital recorder with great picture quality, even without digital video output, but consider the HDMI equipped alternatives if you have an HDTV.

Verdict Plus points Great picture quality; straightforward to use; ready for Freeview's enhanced Series Recording Minus points No HDMI out; relatively small hard drive; lacks set-top box control; no anamorphic 16:9 on DVD+R/+RW

Final verdict The Philips DVDR7250H is the least expensive box here but also has the fewest features, especially for editing. There's GuidePlus and a 160GB HDD but the picture quality and ease of use are not the best. We expected better of the Sony RDR-HXD560 too. It seems affordable and simple to operate and the picture quality is impressive, despite lacking HDMI, but the HDD is small and the features are less wide ranging than the Pioneer and Panasonic - or even some previous Sony recorders. Pioneer's DVR-540HX costs a bit more but you can use any blank DVD, it has good AV quality and user friendliness while the editing features are second to none. The lack of HDMI lets it down, so consider waiting for the DVR-545HX. Panasonic's DMR-EX85EB costs the most but it's a superb all-rounder with a large HDD, multi-format DVD support, clear menus and excellent picture quality thanks to upscaling and HDMI. If you don't need 250GB, there's the otherwise identical 160GB version (DMR-EX75EB) for less than £400.

AVR Glossary