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Features Comparison: Set-Top DVD Recorders

Any of the DVD recorders we reviewed will make you want to give up your VCR and its bulky tapes. All six models use progressive scan, have analog video inputs, and include composite, component, and S-Video output ports. Our pick: Sony's easy-to-use RDR-GX7.

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Apex DRX-9000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Apex PC Solutions Apex DRX-9000

DVD+R/RW recording, Digital audio coaxial and optical output, One-touch, manual, and timer recording

Bottom Line: Easy to use, and the price is right. It has great recording quality, though our unit required a firmware upgrade to fix crashes.

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DMR-E60S DVD Player (Panasonic-DMRE60S) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Panasonic DMR-E60S DVD Player (Panasonic-DMRE60S)

DVD-RAM and DVD-R recording, Digital audio optical output, One-touch, manual, time-shift (DVD-RAM), and timer recording

Bottom Line: Provides editing tools and has some advanced features. You can watch one show you've recorded on DVD-RAM while recording another.

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DVDR80 DVD Recorder (Philips-DVDR80) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Philips DVDR80 DVD Recorder (Philips-DVDR80)

DVD+R/RW recording, Digital audio optical output , One-touch, on-screen, manual, and timer recording

Bottom Line: Has a free program listing guide to make recording from TV simple, but its on-screen menus and documentation are unclear. Has an integrated disc catalog.

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Pioneer DVR-810H-S DVD-R/RW Recorder with 80GB Hard Drive (Pioneer-DVR810HS) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Pioneer Pioneer DVR-810H-S DVD-R/RW Recorder with 80GB Hard Drive (Pioneer-DVR810HS)

Hard-disk recording with DVD-R/RW archiving, Digital audio optical output , On-screen, manual, and timer recording

Bottom Line: TiVo-enabled model can't record directly onto a disc; you must record to the hard disk first--even when dubbing from other video sources.

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DV-RW2U DVD-RW Recorder (Sharp-DVRW2U) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Sharp DV-RW2U DVD-RW Recorder (Sharp-DVRW2U)

DVD-R/RW recording, Digital audio optical output, One-touch, manual, and timer recording

Bottom Line: Handles the basics well, has some pro-level editing, and is the only model we tested to record 5.1-channel audio. Has an inelegant interface.

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RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder / Player (Sony-RDRGX7) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Sony RDR-GX7 DVD Recorder / Player (Sony-RDRGX7)

DVD±R/RW recording, Digital audio coaxial and optical output, One-touch, manual, and timer recording

Bottom Line: Dual-format recorder has an intuitive and attractive on-screen interface. It is the only player that can't play MP3s or VCDs.

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