Magnavox MDV630R DVD Recorder/Player
Great for time shifting tv shows
This is basically a Phillips DVR-75, with slight differences. I have both.  So far it has worked perfectly, as has my Phillips.  I have used only DVD+RW(Memorex) blanks and have not had one bad disk.  I bought the disks on sale for less than a dollar a piece.  These are the only DVD+RW units I have, so I don't know about compatibility with other brands of players (I suspect the blank disks have more to do with that than the recorder.), but they play each other's disks.  I kept the manual on the coffee table for a week as I learned to program the first unit, but now it's second nature.  These units do take some time to finish writing when turned off and to read and begin recording when the timer comes on (about 24 seconds to record, but I think that's just a characteristic of DVD recorders).  I record LOTS of TV, so I use the 6-hour recording mode and the video is better than the 6-hour speed of my VCR's. The recorder will slightly enhance the video quality of the source, so when dubbing VHS tape to DVD, it actually improves the original.   I considered the Sony, but I bought both of these for less than the cost of one Sony, and am very satisfied.    EDITED  If you bought one of the Magnavox/Philips DVD recorders partially based upon my review, please accept my apology.  Reliability is poor.  Judging from posts on the internet, the laser is problematic.  After about six months, the unit could not read the inserted disc more often than not.  If the recorder is shut off, then turned on with the disc still in it, it can't read the disc, even though it had just recorded on this disc!  Sometimes the error is so great that it erases the disc.      I have had three of this model line of recorders (all at the same time), and the longest I went without trouble was about 9 months.  Others on the web say that warranty repair was a joke.  Philips support for their other lame products (Philips LCDs with the dreaded blob on the picture.) is nil.  The Sony RDR-GX300 was $500 at thetime I posted this review.  I bought one when the price came down to $300.  I have purchased three more used GX-300s for about $75-80 each.  I have never had a problem with any of them.  Not one disc failed to work properly and I have used name brand discs and generic discs.  There are 3 inputs and 2 outputs (complete with 2 audio L/R outs).  The remote can control 3 different units individually, not sending inadvertent signals to one of the other Sonys.     File this experience under \\"You get what you pay for.\\" I would have been better off paying the same price for one Sony instead of two Philips.