recommendations for replacement Bluray/HDD recorder

[GBGaffer]

Hi all,

I'm hoping that the PH collective wisdom can save me from a few hours of tedious research. (please!)

We have a Panasonic DMR-BTW720 Bluray/HHD recorder which after 5 years has died.

I am looking to replace it, and wondered what I should be looking at. It has to be said that the Panasonic did most of the things we wanted, recording broadcast tv for later viewing, pausing live tv, and of course, playing Bluray and DVDs. It had limited 'catch up' tv capability in that the pre-programmed options only included BBC iplayer, Netflix and Youtube.

I could just go and purchase a direct replacement, but I am aware that there has been a huge revolution in streaming devices, although our preference is to have 'physical' copies (discs or stored on hard drive).

I'd be very grateful for some observations on the best way to go please.

Finally, can anyone recommend a Company/service that might be able to look at the Panasonic's HDD to see whether the hours of films/documentaries that had been stored can be recovered? The drive is currently showing nothing stored.

Thanks in anticipation.

Cheers
Graham