Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player
Philips DVDR985: Wait on it
Unless you have a lot of money ... and want to go ahead and get it, I would recommend holding off on this unit.  I have tested it and returned it because of several things that are wrong with it, but, could easily be fixed in future generations.<br />     If you just want to record from cable/UHF/VHF, then, you shouldn't be disappointed with this model.  I found no problems with recording from cable or in its audio and video quality.  However, copying from VHS input, the main selling point for me on DVR's, is where I started to dislike this unit.  <br />     On VHS input, it suffers from signal drop, skipping over dropped out audio and video.  If the VHS tape was damaged, then, I could understand, as it's a tracking problem.  But, this happens in certain specific areas of certain tapes, but, NEVER exactly in the same spots, just the generalized area.  Plus, I tested two different VHS inputs, a Philips DVD/VCR combo and a Go Video VHS.  There was still signal drop from the Go, but, this just amazed me, there was MORE signal drop from the Philips!  The input and output sources were devices from the SAME company, yet, the results were worse.<br />      Also, be aware that this unit while it will play some DVD recordable formats it doesn't write to, it WON'T play pressed DVD-ROM, e.g. the DVD movies you buy in a store!  The video keeps skipping, with no audio.  Also, DVD+R, the write once/read many (WORM) DVD disc format, is only just now coming out, and, the entire DVD+ format is more expensive than the traditional DVD- format used in most other recorders.  The DVD+ format was made to capitalize on a market without standards yet, so, don't be pulled into it.<br />     If you just want a cable signal recorder, then, if you can spare the money, this unit is a good choice.  I'd wait until they work out the bugs in it, though, before buying it myself.