New DVD-recorders and PVRs

TechTV has a round-up of the Panasonic DMR-HS2, Philips DVDR985 and Pioneer DVR-7000 DVD-recorders, and asks the question are they little more than glorified digital VCRs?

These set-top recorders can transform analog or digital video into a DVD that will work with most players. Simplicity is a key feature. Without having to touch a computer, anyone can take the video they just shot with their camcorder and use one of these devices to burn it to a DVD. The more adventuresome types can use a set-top recorder to perform basic video editing and even add a menu or two to their creations. However, editing video on a TV display using a remote control has its limits. Burning your favorite TV shows to DVD is one thing. Editing a movie made up of multiple audio and video sources complete with custom menus remains a task best accomplished on a desktop computer.

The full article can be found here.

They also have a review of three fully-fledged PVRs, the EchoStar DishPVR 501, Philips DSR6000 DirecTV box with TiVo and the Sonicblue ReplayTV 5000...

All three set-top boxes can be set to record future programs and pause, rewind, and replay live TV, but each has features and service plans that make it unique. The DishPVR and DirecTV TiVo have integrated satellite receivers and the ReplayTV is a stand-alone unit (stand-alone TiVo units are also available). One thing's for sure: If you're interested in getting satellite or cable TV, it's also a good time to get a PVR.

The rest can be read here. Shame these PVRs are only available in the USA.