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Panasonic DMR-E50K
DVD Video Recorder
As low as  
The single most important feature you need to know about when buying a DVD recorder is what formats it will record. Ideally, your unit should record in two different formats: DVD-R and DVD-RAM. When you record to DVD-R, you’ll be able to share your DVD recordings with virtually anyone who has a DVD player, because that format has the widest possible compatibility.

But there’s a lot of tricks DVD-Rs can’t handle, and that’s where DVD-RAM comes in. With DVD-RAM, you can re-record over the same disk (you can’t do that with DVD-R), and you can also record at the same time you’re watching a program.

The bottom line: Look for a recorder that handles both formats, such as the Panasonic DMR-E50K DVD Video Recorder for as low as $328. This slick-looking black unit has a host of extras as well, such as the ability to play MP3 CDs and to handle a wide variety of other audio and video formats, including Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, and Video CD.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more money, look for a DVD recorder with a hard drive. That way, you can record to disk, rather than to a DVD, and only record to the DVD when you’re sure you want to keep the recording permanently. Otherwise you can keep the recording on the unit until you want to delete it.

If you’re looking for a hard drive unit, check out the Panasonic DMR-E100HS DVD Recorder for as low as with a $792. With a 120 gigabyte hard drive, it can store up to 26 hours of video in the highest-quality XP mode, or an astounding 160 hours in the less-high-quality EP mode. It includes a built-in TV tuner, a clock/timer, and VCR Plus+, so that you can easily find and record the shows you want. Its Auto Renewal Recording feature lets you automatically record a show every day or every week. And it does a very cool trick as well: If you’re recording to a DVD disc, and you run out of space, it will automatically record the rest onto the hard drive.

With the right DVD recorder, you’ll be able to burn DVDs not just from TV, but from a digital video recorder as well. To do that, though, you need to get a DVD recorder with the right input, and most can’t handle it. However, the Phillips DVDR1500 DVD Recorder for as low as $1058, includes a FireWire (IEEE1394) connection that lets it plug into digital video cameras, so you can record from the camera, or you can hook up a PC or Mac to the DVD recorder, and record videos from your PC or Mac.

For the ultimate DVD experience, combine a DVD recorder with a hard drive, and Digital Video Recorder (DVR), otherwise known as Tivo or ReplayTV. That’s what the Pioneer Elite DVR-57H DVD Recorder w/HDD and Tivo offers, for as low as $1043, with a whopping 120 gigabyte hard disk. It includes TiVo Basic Service, which includes no setup fees and no monthly fees, and handles both DVD-R and DVD-RAM. With Dolby Digital and DTS Digital surround sound outputs, CD and MP3 compatibility, progressive scan and other high-quality video features, it offers the ultimate in listening and viewing.