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.

It's a little raw in places, but the JVC hard disk DVD player covers all the bases.

A wide range of supported formats, combined with stylish industrial design, makes the KiSS DP-558 a great hard disk recorder for the power user who doesn't mind recording in MPEG-2 and archiving footage regularly.

This recorder is a beast. High-budget users will find the RH7926W to be an outstanding unit, delivering top-end performance with a sleek and user-friendly design.

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

LG's LST-5403P is a top of the range hard disk recorder with plenty of storage space and an interface grandma could use. A great, albeit pricey, contender.

The LG-RH1999G has a lot of great features, including wide support for DVD recordable formats and SD/HDTV upscaling, but is let down by poor signal reception.

A couple of minor issues hold the Lite-On LVW-5045 back from stardom, but for the techno-savvy it's still an appealing alternative to the bigger brands.

An exceptional recorder, inhibited only by a lackluster remote, the NEC NDH-160 is the perfect option for those looking for all the efficiency and functionality of LG's RH7926W, but minus the high price tag.

A slick interface and good encoder make this a quality product, but it's not without a few shortcomings.

The DMR-EH50S makes high-quality recordings and is easy to use, but some users may not like the TV Guide On Screen program guide.