Not to be confused with DVD burners (which are installed in your computer), DVRs (which record TV shows on a hard drive for temporary viewing) or DVD players (which play pre-recorded discs), DVD recorders are home-theater components that can record TV shows onto DVD discs, replicating the functions of your VCR. Some models combine a DVR with a DVD recorder, which gives you the functionality and flexibility of hard disk DVR, plus the ability to archive programs to a DVD disc. Another type of combo machine, the VCR/DVD recorder, makes it simpler to convert a collection of home-movie VHS tapes to DVD. DVD recorders also function as regular DVD players and can play audio CDs -- many can play JPEG photos and MP3s on CDs, as well. Keep in mind that none of these devices are high definition. Toshiba has unveiled an HD-DVD recorder with a 1-terabyte (TB) hard disk in Japan, but that unit is unlikely to make it to the United States anytime soon, and it costs upwards of $3,500.

We found a number of standalone DVD recorder reviews, buyer's guides and test reports. The thorough reviews from PC World and CNet.com are the best we found. The editors at CNet test each DVD recorder with a standardized series of read and write tests, and they give subjective evaluations of each deck's feature set and ease of use. While PC World's latest five-model listing contains a couple of discontinued models, the magazine also provides some great buying information that's especially useful for someone purchasing their first DVD recorder. Consumer Reports' latest test of 19 DVD recorders also ranks highly on our All Reviews chart. Although it doesn't provide an in-depth discussion of each recorder's strengths and weaknesses, the review does say which important features are lacking on each model.

Owner-written DVD recorder reviews are also extremely helpful. Reviews from owners at CNet, Amazon.com, Circuit City.com and Epinions offer insight into products' performance months out of the box. AVSForum.com and Videohelp.com also offer user reviews, but their real benefit lies in the technical information. These sites offer user-to-user help, workarounds, tricks and techniques that can be found in few other places on the Internet.

Historically, DVD recorders have been among the most maligned consumer electronics products. Both professional reviewers and frustrated users have found plenty to complain about. Many felt the recorders were unreasonably difficult to program and use, with the task made harder still by poorly organized and poorly written user manuals. Build quality was also an issue -- with a large number of owners complaining that their decks would stutter, stop, spit out discs or exhibit some other bizarre behavior, sometimes after only a few uses. Adding to the frustration was the sometimes bewildering alphabet soup of disk formats, fueled in part by the creation of discs with increased functionality (such as easier editing or the ability to be erased and re-recorded a number of times) and in part by yet another manufacturer format war.

User expectations have been another issue. Like videotapes, DVDs look best when burned at higher speeds. When copying a six-hour home videotape to a DVD at the deck's slowest speed, you shouldn't expect to get the prettiest results.
In preparing this report, however, we noted a surprising phenomenon: While lots of complaints remain for certain models, an increasing number of owners are actually happy with some of the latest models, especially those with a hard disk. These better-received DVD recorders are benefiting from a cleaner user interface, simplified functions and the ability to accommodate a wider number of disk formats. Few users, however, are any happier with the manuals, which maintain their ability to confuse and confound even professional reviewers.

When it comes to MP3 players, it's pretty much Apple's iPod series vs. everyone else. The best-selling iPod, the iPod nano (2GB *est. $150, 4GB *est. $195, 8GB *est. $240), is now enclosed in an aluminum case, eliminating the biggest complaint against the original version: its soft, easily scratched plastic surface. Despite widespread complaints about the lack of an FM tuner and poor navigation on the iPod shuffle, reviews agree iPod players as a family are the MP3 players to beat in every price class. But after easily swatting away the competition for years, the iPod is now being challenged by several other players in the eyes of some reviewers from CNet.com, PC Magazine, DAPreview.net, IT Reviews and Laptop magazine.

There are tons of places to read reviews for MP3 players, but the most exhaustive coverage comes from those that have covered the iPod and the rest of the market since its inception. CNet.com is perhaps the most complete review source we found. PC Magazine also does a great job. DAPreview.net is a little rough around the edges, but is passionate and knowledgeable about everything to do with MP3 players. Consumer Reports' latest effort encompasses 46 players, but while ratings and recommendations are clear and straightforward, discussion of the individual players is lacking.

Video playback is included on the fifth-generation iPod (30GB *est. $240, 80GB *est. $330). The October 2006 iPod refresh included adding a brighter screen for better video. Keep in mind that if you mainly want to watch movies on your portable player, reviews say you're better off with something other than the iPod. Although videos are a nice perk, reviews say its 2.5-inch screen is just too small for extended viewing. The video iPod is first and foremost an excellent high-capacity audio player, and reviews say video should be considered a bonus rather than a primary consideration. If you're just as interested in video as music, see our report on digital media players , which includes models with larger 3-inch to 5-inch screens, better for watching video and movies.

The most popular iPod right now is the iPod nano, a flash player with a very thin profile. The latest nano is just .25-inch thick, and is a bit smaller than the dimensions of a business card. Because flash players (as opposed to hard-drive players) have no moving parts, they are the best choice for the gym.

On its release, the iPod nano quickly shot to the top of the charts in every major review outlet and has stayed there right up to the present moment. Last year's original iPod nano took a lot of flak over its susceptibility to scratches. Not only is the current model more scratch resistant, but the iPod nano is available in colors: black (80GB version only), silver (30GB version only), hot pink, green and blue.
In the meantime, competition has gotten much stiffer for the iPod nano MP3 player. One example is SanDisk's Sansa line of MP3 players, including the e260 (4GB, *est. $135) , and the Sansa e280 (*est. $270) , which have generally received very favorable reviews. SanDisk players have shot up to be the number two MP3 players in sales -- far behind the iPod but ahead of everyone else. The e-series plays video clips as well as music files. Other formidable nano alternatives include the Creative Zen V (2GB, *est. $80) and V Plus (2GB, *est. $90) along with the iRiver Clix (2GB, *est. $160) . The original iPod's supremacy is also not going unchallenged, with players such as Toshiba's Gigabeat (30GB, *est. $195) and Creative Zen's Vision: M (30GB, *est. $200) getting their share of top reviews.

One consideration with all iPod MP3 players is that you are mainly limited to purchasing music from Apple's iTunes music store -- you will not be able to play music from Window-based online stores like Napster or Rhapsody. That's because iPods are incompatible with music in WMA format that you would buy from most non-Apple music download services. Reviews do say that Apple's iTunes store is excellent, with a wide selection of music, but at this time, iTunes offers no subscription services, and it is possible you will come across tunes not available in the iTunes store. You can also buy music that's in non-protected MP3 format from sites like eMusic.com. For reviews of online music stores, see our companion report on music downloads .

The Microsoft Zune ( est. $230) is a 30GB MP3/video player that goes head-to-head with the iPod. Reviews say the Zune has some great features, including a big 3-inch LCD and local music sharing with other Zune owners via Wi-Fi. Reviews say Microsoft has developed a terrific user interface, which in some cases is even easier to use than the iPod's interface. But the Zune stumbles in a lot of areas. Microsoft has set up the Zune as a closed system, much like iPod. This means that songs purchased from Zune Marketplace will only be playable on the Zune. The Zune Marketplace does offer a $15 per month all-you-can-eat music subscription -- a feature notably missing from the iTunes store -- but otherwise, the Zune is lacking. There are few videos available in the Zune store, and there are only about half as many songs as the iTunes store. Despite the great interface of the unit itself, Microsoft has instituted a corny "points" system for song purchases. Each song costs 79 points, but bizarrely, one "point" actually equals 1.25¢ -- so songs actually cost about 99¢. This strange pricing system gets a "what were they thinking" reaction from all reviewers.

We've split our television reviews into five separate reports; this one focuses on "direct-view" TVs. These sets use cathode ray tubes (CRTs), the same technology that has been in our homes for years. Other reports address plasma TV and LCD TVs , which measure as little as 4 inches thick. Rear-projection TVs , which offer large screens for less money, are bulkier than flat-panel models but thinner than CRT televisions. Home-theater projectors produce the largest images of all, but require low light and either a screen or flat white wall. Our fifth report, HDTV (high-definition TV), tackles high-definition technology in more depth and recaps the choices in HDTVs from all these reports.

While CRT televisions offer some significant advantages over other technologies, changes in consumer preferences have put sales into a tailspin. Consumer Reports is one of the few professional review sources still testing direct-view sets. CNet.com also occasionally reviews these televisions, and there are user reviews available at Amazon.com, Epinions and CircuitCity.com. Another good resource is AVSforum.com. While the discussions at that site can occasionally veer off onto other topics, there is a lot of great user-to-user information that provides valuable insights into the ins and outs of almost any set on the market, including most direct-view TVs.

With prices for top-quality large tube-based HDTVs hovering in the $800 to $1,000 range, you might want to consider a plasma TV instead. For less than $500 more, you can get a slimmer 42-inch HD plasma TV. However, experts agree that tube television sets still have the best picture, especially when it comes to accurate color, as well as the deepest, most cinematic black levels. Especially in darker rooms, reviews say CRT-type sets are better than even the nicest plasma TVs. The catch is that direct-view HDTVs are still bulky and heavy, and their size is limited to under 36 inches. If you want a smaller television, an entry-level flat-panel LCD TV can be had for about the same price as a similar-sized tube-based HDTV, but tube TVs still perform better and don't have the viewing angle problems associated with some LCD televisions.

An inexpensive option is a standard-definition digital set. These sets have digital tuners but cannot display images in high definition. This means that while you'll be able to play high-definition signals from an antenna, cable box or satellite dish, the picture will be of much lower resolution -- about the same quality as a standard DVD. Most digital TVs have the same 4:3 aspect ratio of traditional analog sets, but widescreen models are also available. In addition, some 4:3 sets have special modes that allow you to watch widescreen material (16:9 aspect ratio) in standard definition.
It pays to be cautious when buying inexpensive TVs. A current CNet.com review examines the Insignia NS-30HTV (*est. $550) , a widescreen 30-inch direct-view HDTV. David Katzmaier notes that while the TV, which is available only at Best Buy stores, doesn't cost much, the set's performance makes it an unattractive choice. Complaints include a generally soft picture and poor color accuracy. Also, there is no HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) input, which is a must for signal sources such as high-definition DVD players. However, another review gives the Insignia NS-30HTV a more favorable rating for its good HD picture quality.