Is the Philips HDRW720 DVD recorder the best Philips DVD recorder?

This unit can't control your satellite receiver to turn on and tune to a particular channel, so if you want to record you have to set the timer on this unit as well as your satellite receiver. The Philips HDRW720 DVD recorder will control your cable box by using a IR Blaster (which is included). It works fine with conventional antenna and cable but there are issues with satellite service. You’ll probably forego the EPG with a satellite dish.

Viewed programs are automatically stored on the adjustable 6-hour HDD buffer, from which you can retrieve them, watch them again, transfer them to the hard drive, or record them onto a DVD+R/+RW disc. A feature called FlexTime, like TiVo (and virtually all the Panasonic DVD recorders can do this) lets you watch the beginning of a program while it's still being recorded. There’s also a one button Instant Replay feature.

As everyone by now knows a DVD recorder is perfect for archiving your home videos. The Philips HDRW720 DVD recorder features a front-panel i.Link digital-video connection for DV camcorder hookup.

Recording functions include safe record, one-touch record (OTR), track append, track divide, automatic/manual chapter marker insertion, Smart Chaptering, favorite scene selection, and Selectable Index Pictures.

As in most of the articles on this site I find the remote to be an important part of DVD recorders. Sadly this remote is awkward. There is no difference in the feel of the buttons so you’re always going to be looking down at the remote to change functions. The user guide for this DVD recorder is 80 pages long. That’s a lot of tough reading.

The Philips HDRW720 DVD recorder is also a first-rate DVD player, featuring progressive-scan video outputs, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound pass through, MP3 CD playback (CD-R/CD-RW), and compatibility with most DVD media (including video-mode DVD-R and DVD-RW).

The Philips HDRW720 delivers the full potential of a DVD. It has progressive scanning and creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD player. This means you get higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating most motion artifacts. This DVD recorder has one of the best images found on today’s DVD recorders.

Component-video inputs and outputs with composite-video, S-video, and RF coaxial video inputs and outputs bring compatibility with nearly any video component and television monitor. Audio inputs consist of 2-channel analog jacks.

The Philips HDRW720 DVD recorder has two sets of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (1 each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

The Philips HDRW720 DVD recorder comes with a universal remote control, remote batteries, a channel blaster (IR extender cable), a blank DVD+RW disc, a composite-video cable, a stereo audio cable, a coaxial RF antenna cable, an S-video cable, a component-video cable, a digital-audio coaxial cable, a user's manual, and warranty information.

Overall this machine is worth the money. Philips always makes a fine product and if you can get past the dense manual and clunky remote you’ll appreciate the vast array of features coupled with it’s sharp images.

You can get more info on this machine. Follow the link to Amazon. The Philips HDRW720 DVD Recorder