Elegantly simple, the Sony is not a revolutionary device, but it's easy and intuitive to use.

A combo device that goes beyond the minimum requirements to get ticks in the specifications table. Toshiba has put together a high-quality device.

An outstanding combination of DVD recorder and VHS player.

The Sanyo could have been quite a decent combination device, but it gets too many little things wrong.

A decent convergence device. Not too flashy, but with plenty of display options. It's not really the choice for the hard-core videophile, but for the rest of us the V5500 covers most of the right bases.

Brilliant. If it weren't for the poor handling of JPG and MP3 discs, this DVD-recorder and VHS combo would get the perfect rating.

There's little to fault in either its DVD or VCR functions, but the Sharp DV-NC200X could hardly be described as at the cutting-edge of technology.

If you want to record pay TV and have a real electronic program guide, then the Foxtel iQ is the only choice. It's a fantastic product, if you're willing to pay the subscription fee for it.

Denon's Hurricane is a good choice for anyone looking to establish a serious home theatre. The sound quality is fantastic and the array of connections ensures it won't be obsolete any time soon.

Toshiba's SD-63HK is a great solution for those looking for an easy, all-in-one home theatre kit, but its low volume makes it a best suited to a small room.

Modix is trailblazing with the HD-3510B. It will primarily appeal to geeks and the techno-savvy; a little polish is required before it's ready for the mainstream.

Although the Hifidelio offers excellent sound and a range of useful features, it's extremely pricey--especially considering its limited storage capacity.