Compare Prices : Philips DVDR 5520 H

Review summary: Depending on which of the six recording modes you choose, up to 180 hours of video cam be crammed onto the HDD. The 5520's USB 2.0 port allows you to copy JPEG, DivX and MP3/WMA files at will between the DVD, HDD and solid-state USB memory devices. ...

Pros: 5.1 recording, funky clickwheel remote, strong AV performance

Cons: Ponderously unresponsive, 5.1 audio can only be played on the 5520

Review summary: The 5520 incorporates a USB 2.0 port for 'complete file transferability'. In other words, you can copy at will between the DVD, HDD and USB

Pros: 5.1 recording ; Good AV ; Funky clickwheel remote

Cons: Ponderously unresponsive ; Can't transfer 5.1 to (compatible) DVD ; No optical input

Verdict: Upscaling works well subjectively, although the 5520 fails the HQV jaggies test

Review summary: The Philips DVDR5520H's main attraction is its built-in Freeview PVR. DVD and support for downloaded Internet material is also available. It looks sleek and attractive and has excellent connectivity, and a very well laid out electronic programme guide ...

Pros: Picture and sound quality ; design

Cons: Menus are quite slow at times and rather annoying

Verdict: Not a bad all-rounder. We like the picture and sound quality and there are enough features to justify the asking price, but we were annoyed by how the menu system operated at times

Review summary: We liked Philips' DVDR5570H recorder, so things look promising for its almost identical DVDR5520H sibling.

Verdict: The DVDR5520H can't quite match the high standards set by the latest recorders from the Panasonic camp, but it comes mighty close. And in some areas, it's actually better - in particular its live TV flexibility boosted by the terrific Time Shift ...