The RDR-HXD870 comes from a new breed of cutting-edge digital recorders that offer 1080p upscaling, allowing you to make the most of DVDs and TV recordings on Full HD TVs. But this is merely the tip of the iceberg

Feature rich, Connectivity, Picture quality, Well designed remote

Sluggish Guide Plus EPG, Some noise in SP

Abundant features, comprehensive connections and killer 1080p picture quality combine to amazing effect

The latest HDD/DVD recorder combi to roll off the Panasonic production line is the gorgeous DMR-EX87. It has a 250GB hard drive, can record onto any type of blank DVD, and delivers fantastic results at whatever it turns its hand to

Great HD quality, Amazing standard def pictures, Excellent editing tools

Only 2-channel DVD-Audio

A superb combi player, and one that excels in all areas

The main claim to fame of this DVD-RW/DVD-R recorder is an HDMI output with video upscaling to 720p and 1080i, which makes it a great machine to go for if you already own an HD Ready TV

Affordable, Very little MPEG noise

No digital tuner, LP and EP modes best avoided

The price is attractive, but too many cost-cutting compromises have been made to recommend it

For many people there is a good reason for hanging on to VHS technology - a large library of tapes that they want to either keep watching, or transfer to DVD. The Panasonic DMR-EZ45 is aimed primarily at the latter

Decent DVD recording quality, Above-average audio

No card reader

A DVD recorder that does its job well, if not spectacularly

On paper, the Samsung DVD-R145 looks like it may well be a sturdy enough DVD recorder. For starters, it features excellent disc compatibility, being able to record on all types of DVD media, including dual-layered DVD plus-R and DVD-R discs

Compatible with all disc formats, Easy to use

Unexceptional upscaling

A decent enough DVD recorder, but one that doesn't do enough to stand out in any particular area

Philips' highest specified digital recorder boasts a 160GB hard-disk, a built-in Freeview tuner and records onto DVD RW, R, -R, -RW and DVD R Double Layer discs. It can also record 5.1-channel audio and features the brilliant TimeShift Buffer

Excellent features, Decent picture performance

No HDMI output, Sluggish operation

Good value-for-money recorder that just falls short of greatness

This is an imposing looking recording platform that manages to tick all the boxes for AV enthusiasts.The 160GB hard disk is enough for 34 hours of highest-quality recording, or 455 hours at the lowest setting

Video upscaling, Excellent audio quality, Great picture quality

Picture deteriorates after 3.5 hours

A fantastic and fully specified recorder that combines the latest technology superbly

Instantly setting out its stall, the DMR-EX75 offers upscaling via an HDMI output, up to 720p or 1080i resolution and then fills out one of the most impressive CVs we've seen. As well as the HDMI output, this deck has comprehensive socketry

Comprehensive sockets and good-sized hard drive

Doesn't handle upscaling well

A real all-round performer, this recorder is well worth considering

For ultimate editing power you would probably want an HDD/DVD recorder combi, but if you're just looking to replace that trusty old VCR, this is a contender. Choose your recording modes carefully and you'll have every reason to consider this a bargain

Flawless picture performance, Reasonable price, Affordable, Easy to set-up, Impressive playback

Optimum brightness and black levels can't co-exist, LCD still slightly limited compared with top-end DLP, No HDMI output

Great value for a basic DVD recorder

Although Humax's previous digital TV PVR, the PVR8000T, was beset with teething troubles, its latest model has them all smoothed out. The PVR9200T is packed with enough extra features to square up to the Sky + box

Recordings are near broadcast quality, Versatile functions, Extremely fast operating speed, Impressive colours, Exceptional sound

Slightly disappointing connectivity, Picture quality can be a wild card

The PVR9200T is a pleasure to use and provides a superb visual and aural experience. A brilliant performer, showing that looks can be deceiving