Philips HDRW720 DVD Recorder with 120 GB Hard Drive
Should Have Been Terrific
After using an RCA DVR with a smaller Hard Drive I purchased this as an upgrade.  It took a while to master all the options and features, but I finally learned to program it manually and could also program the timer using the VCR plus feature.  (Never tried the TV Guide feature).  Either program method produced a schedule that showed all the dates each show would record.  You could double check EVERYTHING.  Choices were one time recording  event, daily recording , or weekly recording AND an option to start recording early and end recording late if you used the VCR Plus feature.  The amount of time to start early or end late is user selected and entered. I always left the program session with high hopes... HOWEVER.  No recording was ever properly done.   Several times it recorded short portions of a show, but usually it just skiped everything.  The Philips DVDRW 720  update CD was ordered and the unit updated its own program in 15 minutes. Program Update is discussed in a sheet of paper placed in the owners manual   Strange to get a new item with a note in the box TELLING YOU that it needs to be upgraded and you should call to order the required CD at No Charge.   After the upgrade it did the same thing - skipped all verified scheduled record events.  Philips Techs thought I should perform system reboots, but that was not an answer that I liked.  Despite this, I really like the appearance of both the unit and the remote.  While the software was more complex than the RCA it had some nice features that I used when I did a manual (non timer) recording.   Hope they fix the bugs because this DVR has real potential.  The reviewed unit was manufactured in Hungary.  I will reorder when they get a new batch.