Digital Trends

Philips HDRW720

April 11th, 2005 | by Dennis Barker

Features and Design

The Philips HDRW720 is about as full-featured as you can get with a DVD recorder these days.  First, it includes a 181-Ch. NTSC tuner so that it can act just like a VCR.  It's clearly designed to replace the VCR, period!  Model HDRW720 also includes a full-featured 120GB Hard-Disc Recorder (or PVR) that can record up to 190 hours of TV programs.  It has all of the standard PVR features like Pause, "FlexTime," which allows you to watch a program from the beginning as it is recording, "Instant Replay," and a full-featured free 7-day electronic program guide (EPG).   What this means is that unlike other EPGs on the market (such as TiVo and RePlayTV), there is no monthly or lifetime programming fee attached to TV GuidePlus+.  This is a wonderful thing!  You do, however, get some advertising located on the left-hand side of the guide.  It's a small price to pay for a free EPG.

The HDRW720 features GemStar's TV GuidePlus+ electronic on-screen TV guide to facilitate the programming of your recorder.  It lists programming up to seven days out.  It could not be simpler to scroll over to a listing on the Guide, and press the red record button on the remote.  You can set it up to record up to 15 programs directly to the hard-drive or to a blank +RW disc.  Simply adjust your recording time from M1 (1 hour, highest quality) to M8 (8 hours, VHS quality).  If you record on the hard-drive, programs can later be transferred to disc for archiving by the touch of one button.  Neat!

A feature unique to the +RW format and the HDRW720 is that it offers both component video input and component video output on the same deck.  This makes it very easy to attach your satellite or cable box directly via component video to assure making the highest possible recordings (480p).  Also, this model includes a signal blaster that will quickly change channels on either your satellite or cable box to make recording quite easy.  During the initial setup, you simply tell the system the brand and model of your satellite/cable receiver.  Here again, it could not be simpler.  Progressive scan circuitry with 3:2 pull-down is also included for the highest quality recorded and played back DVD images.

This model also includes IEEE1394 inputs located on the front panel.  This makes it very easy to attach your digital camcorder using i.Link for the best possible audio and video quality.  Some basic editing capabilities also are also included.  If you are transferring home movies to DVD, it's best to use DVD+R discs as they offer compatibility with most (if not all) DVD players.  Simply follow the on-screen prompts to preserve your family memories.