Panasonic DMR-EH55S DVD Recorder with 200 GB Hard Drive, HDMI, SD Card, and DV Input
DOES JUST WHAT I WANTED AND MORE
It would have gotten a 4.5 had there been a choice and since I know people are overly critical, I'll be overly rewarding. <br /> <br />I have only been able to use it for a few days now.  So this is going to be sorta of a preliminary review and will update after I have tried out more things. <br /> <br />Pros:  1) If the TV Guide ability works, it's quite awesome - 8 days in advance of programmable listings and user friendly!  I probably would have sold it on ebay right away, if it didn't and been forced to go my cable providers DVR, which has a montly subscription.  2) No subscription fees per month.   3)  Recording to a HD quality from non HD quality.  (Although, the TV I have the dvr on isn't HD and my bedroom tv, which is I haven't tried it on there yet.)  4) Huge harddrive.  I put it on the 2nd best quality and that gave me 92.5 Hours of recording (that's like 92 HOUR long shows!) <br /> <br />Cons:  1) Little pricey, but you can make up the costs from recording your own dvds, saving time, and knowing you're not being stuck from the cable companies or TIVO monthly fees.  2)  to NITPICK, not as swift as my friend who does subscribe to the cable co's dvr - lots of button pression and no quick ways of doing it.  3) another NITPICK, I didn't like how I couldn't use it for 24 while the TV Guide service updates, and takes almost a whole week for it to update all 8 days of listings. <br /> <br />Overall:  I don't know of a way to know if your cable company blocks the TVOGS to know in advance, but if you can use the TVGOS, then this is a great peice of equipment.  I had heard people complain about the owner's manual, which is a little 'deep'.  (It's definately not a Dell - for all those who love their beautiful well illustrated guides that are easy for the idiot's idiot.)  But the manual (while i haven't used a lot of its functions still) it not too hard to understand if you're patient. ITS VERY MUCH WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN A DVR AND I ENJOY PROGRAMMING IT AND USINGIT.