RCA DRC8005N Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with USB Port
Great DVD Recorder
Bought about a month ago. I have already made 46 DVDs.  They have all turned out great.  They work in our other 3 DVD players (including one that is 7 years old).  It uses +R and +RW discs.  My DVD recorder on my computer uses -R discs.  Unfortunately the -R discs don't work on all of my DVD players, so the addition of this recorder has been great.    Pretty easy to use.      If you buy this, you have no reason to buy a $900 Sony DVD CamCorder.  Just use your existing CamCorder (VHS-C, VHS, etc) and connect it to the front RCA connectors (S-Video Input available as well).  Select input from front connectors, press play on transmitting device and record on the DVD recorder and your making a DVD!!  Couldn't be much easier.    Only downside, no digital audio input (only analog through RCA cables).  You cannot copy commericial DVDs.  They are copy  protected.  Remember that commerical VHS tapes are copy protected, as well.  Interestingly enough, this recorder recognizes this and gives you a message warning you.  Recording then promptly stops.  But this is still great for home videos.  I have also used it successfully to archive several laser discs so that I can get rid of that player.  I have also taped numerous movies off of the movie channels.  Not quite the same quality as commerical DVDs.  It might be if you had a HD receiver.  Regular (and digital) cable doesn't come across in 525 lines of resolution like a commerical DVD.  Like I said, I don't know if it would be different with an HD converter box.  Still better quality than a VHS tape.    When choosing to record something, always use the highest setting (to get the best quality) and be sure to know how long the program is your taping.  I ran about 2 mintues short on one movie.    It allows you to hook up compact flash etc via a USB port in the front.  You can view JPG files and archive them to disc.    This has been absolutely a great experience so far.  Being that we are early in the manufacture of this technology, I am very impressed.    These units will probably get even cheaper in a few months, but if they follow the path of the VCR, as the price gets cheaper, so does the quality of the product.  I didn't want to wait until the case, etc. was so cheaply made that it became a throw away.  Who fixes a VCR?  You just get a new one (and expect it to make it only a couple of years).  I didn't want a DVD recorder that cheap!!      You won't need a VCR after you buy this.  Does a great job with TV.  It shows you what is playing and the rating so that you know if you want to watch or record the show.