Best cheap PVR/DVD combo?

[uriel]

I've just been called over to my mother's to sort out her TV setup. I think her VHS recorder is on the blink (it's almost 10 years old), but to be honest it could just be the way the TV, VCR, DVD recorder and Freeview box are all connected together - some scart, some RF, some component and some composite. They're useless with all that stuff and I suggested that they look into getting an all in one box that would replace the lot. They've decided that that is a good idea, but have given me the job of finding such a box. Trouble is, I don't have TV so no nothing at all about these things.

It would have to have freeview, PVR facilities, DVD recording abilities. I assume that would give the option to transfer stuff from the HD to DVD should you want to keep something? Does one exist with VHS too?

I think they're really looking to spend no more than £250 or so. Ease of use would take priority over performance for them.

I know I should get Googling and do my own research, but there seem to be a fair few people clued up on this stuff here.

[Simpo Two]

I'm not an AV expert but have a Sony DVD/HDD recorder and I think it's excellent. It's easy to record from TV to hard drive, then either watch it and delete, or dub to DVD-R all in the same box. Controls are intuitive as well. You can also record from a Freeview box (or any other external source) by selecting the right input.

[theaxe]

My dad has a Humax box and is very pleased with it, not sure they do one with a DVD burner though. Do they really need that feature?

[Simpo Two]

And this is a Rock Humax:

[uriel]

Another thing, most don't mention whether they're twin tuner or not. Is this because they're not or because all of them are these days?

[driverrob]

The HDD packed up on my original PVR. Now I have the SONY HXD870 and I'm 100% pleased with it. 160GB HDD and DVD reader/burner. Lots of easy to use options. Only one tuner (Freeview) but it has an analogue feed-through and my TV card can switch between the 2 signals. You really only need to refer to the manual if you don't use the recommended type of DVD.