The DMR-XW300 is a highly functional digital video recorder, with few downsides apart from imperfect DVD playback and a high price tag. If you’re looking for incredible flexibility in a single unit, you can’t go wrong here.

The Pinnacle Video Transfer is a cute unit that's elegant at transferring analogue video to a USB storage device but thoughts of recording late night TV before an early flight are fantasies because you'll have to be there, recording. You may as well record TV to a PC and encode later, while you shower in the morning.

The DMR-EX77 seems to be having a hard time deciding what kind of device it wants to be. Although it upscales DVDs to high definition, it can't decode high-definition TV. Apart from this little contradiction however, it's generally a functional and easy-to-use recording unit.

A great entry-level device, the RH2T250 lacks any distinguishable features beyond its ease-of-use.

An absolutely fantastic device, with only a few slight problems and omissions. If the firmware updates go as planned, it has the power to become a truly revolutionary product.

More manufacturers should be following Panasonic's example with the DMR-EX85. A truly outstanding product, the omission of a time shift buffer is the only feature preventing this unit from being a near-perfect purchase.

The DVDR9000H offers a great deal on paper but is let down by it's interface.

A good design and delivers on the features it includes. However buyers should be aware of the omissions: time shift of live TV is not supported and the device includes an analogue rather than digital tuner.