Just a note following, I believe, a request from Roman 
for info about multi-format DVD recorders - something 
that 'til now has been difficult to find:

Noticed yesterday in Hughes, (an independent electrical 
retailer - www.hughesdirect.co.uk), ones that might fit 
the bill:

        Hitachi DVDS-161E UK (at 399.91gbp) sale cut 
        to a cost of 349.91gbp, 

which together with it's onboard 160GB HDD, also records 
(and replays!) in:

        DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW - 

which seems to cover all the bases.  (However, I'm not 
sure if the new dual layer (DL), in either '-' or '+' 
formats are yet covered. I guess, if not, they soon will 
be)...

Among the other machines noted - at a reasonable price - 
were a  

        Pioneer DVR433HS at 269.95gbp 

with, if I recall, at least an 80GB HDD as well as multi-
format reading alongside it's native recording, alongside 
a

        Sony RDRGX210 (at 199.97gbp) sale cut to 159.90gbp

which, if I remember, is also a multi-format, or at least 
+/-RW compatible

as well as a

        Sony RDR GXD310 (at 329.95gbp) sale cut to 249.91gbp 

with multi-(all) formats, except DVD-RAM(?) - but with onboard 
Freeview digital..

There were probably others - but I ran out memory and bladder 
(coffee retention) space!  ;))

Hope helps...

Bill ZFC

-- 
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Domain Host Orpheus Internet  -=-  http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/

Bill ZFC  wrote:

> Just a note following, I believe, a request from Roman 
> for info about multi-format DVD recorders - something 
> that 'til now has been difficult to find:

(details snipped).

What I would want to know in addition to the info you gave is whether
any of them are (or can easily be made) multi-region.

I suppose Div X might also be useful, though not srictly necessary.

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In article <1halq6b.x0ucta4x3lppN%danspam@f2s.com>,
   Daniel Cohen  wrote:
> Bill ZFC  wrote:

> > Just a note following, I believe, a request from Roman 
> > for info about multi-format DVD recorders - something 
> > that 'til now has been difficult to find:

> (details snipped).

> What I would want to know in addition to the info you gave is whether
> any of them are (or can easily be made) multi-region.

Although I didn't think to ask (the call of nature was 
already looming)  ..it's a safe bet that in their shop 
'for sale' setup all dvd recorders will likely be R2s 
(and R0 as well, clearly).  

It seems to come along with the territory - the 
recording side is usually subject to internal checks 
and some 'control'.  It appears that the manufacturers 
are sensitive to accusations of promoting piracy. 

What I can say, from experience, is that an independent 
electrical retailer is more likely to be aware of a 
consumer's reguirements than some of the more obvious 
High Street box shifters... ;))

...and then there's always Google!
 
> I suppose Div X might also be useful, though not srictly necessary.

Yes, indeed.  It looks as though just about everything 
is heading towards a multi-format, (if not necessarily 
all region), route.
  
I think I've mentioned LiDL's Targa DP-5100x DVD Player, 
picked up with their 3yr warranty at a sale price of 
19.95gbp - which includes RW (- and +) compatibility, 
as well DivX.. and a number of other file types.. with 
onboard 7/2 card readers and a full Dolby 5.1 sound output 
to amplifier with DD/DTS opt and co-ax etc.   

http://www.targa.co.uk/cms/targa_2_646.php?produkt_id=324

or from 

http://www.targa.co.uk/

LiDL also have their own Targa brand, of cheaper DVD-
Recorders - which, although multi-format I don't remember 
as being immediately multi-format recording.. although now 
that Sharp is, the rest will probably follow shortly...

(I guess the sale will be repeated towards the summer - 
LiDL tend to repeat their across-Europe weekly specials 
at regular intervals for popular items, usually also 
updated).

http://www.lidl.co.uk/

They also promote (own?) the Comag brand of FTA digital 
satellite receivers - an excellent and comprehensive 
featured receiver at a /very/ accommodating price...

So it is possible to have a cheapy multi-format and 
multi-region adapted stand-alone playback device - perhaps 
useful when the DVDR is busy recording.  ..but yes, it 
would be nice to have everything in one-box.

As an aside, I have wondered if the big Hollywood Studios 
(Cartel?) thought they were being 'wise' when they first 
promoted region coding - so that they could maximise their 
profit and pee about with the consumers craving for the 
product.

Perhaps, in the event, all they've done is promote the 
very piracy they had hoped to circumvent - and a very 
nifty profit base in multi-region hacking, with an 
underground supply of laundered product across the board 
- a profit base in which they now have no share...

Moral perhaps, if any, is don't try being toooo clever!

hh

Bill ZFC

-- 
Adoption  InterLink  UK with  -=-         http://www.billsimpson.com/
Domain Host Orpheus Internet  -=-  http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk/