Pioneer DVR-640H-S DVD Recorder with 160GB DVR
Nice Product. Poor quality shipping.
I bought this product when it was sold and shipped from Amazon. I paid a higher price and extra shipping even though it offered free shipping. I thought the added shipping costs and the higher unit price than lots of other online sellers would be worth it coming from Amazon.  The product arrived no quicker than the free standard shipping offered and came only in the manufacture's box. No double box! No extra padding of any kind.  With a purchase containing delicate internals such as a Hard Disc Drive, I can't believe Amazon added no extra protection and shipped only in the original Pioneer box.  Of course it came with the usual UPS / FedEx type dents and scratches. At least the foam inside was intact so maybe, hopefully, there is no damage that will show up later.    I paid a higher price and extra shipping and feel like Amazon really let me down with the quality of their shipping.  Of course this will have an effect on future purchases from Amazon. I've received CD's packed more secure.      7/11/06 edit:  Since my review was posted Amazon has taken note with the issue and we have discussed it and come to a conclusion that satisfies the situation.  I give Amazon credit for going this extra step.  This does not excuse the shipping problem but does show that Amazon has worked with me on a solution that will indeed increase my customer satisfaction.  I doubt many online retailers would have taken an interest in trying to work the situation out so that both parties could be satisfied.  So, I feel a public thanks to Amazon and a note to customers was appropriate.    Since receiving and setting up the Pioneer 640hs I have found it easy to setup and quality to be very good.  For those that have previously owned a DVD Recorder with Hard Drive, operating the unit will probably be relatively easy to learn and use.   As with most electronic purchases in the past few years the manual is not the easiest to comprehend and is not laid out in the best ways for easy learning.  Thisbeing my first Recorder with an included hard drive it will take some time to browse through the operations without having the manual close by.  However, I have used most of the functions and find it a quality product. At least to my expectations.     Cons:   Pioneer removed the optical output found on earlier DVD recorders and replaced with a coaxial only. Bad move.  Also the tray \\"open/close\\" button on the remote has been removed.  The remote is not too user freindly with lots of functions under a pull back lid.  Fortunately, I have a remote from an earlier model that works with these functions and use it more than the remote that came with the 640hs.    Overall, so far, I'm satisfied with the product.