CUSTOM INSTALLATION HOW-TO

The Bottom Line It's easy to get hung up on which recordable-DVD format a recorder uses, especially if you listen to the manufacturers' self-serving propaganda. Fortunately, where editing and image quality are concerned, disc format doesn't much matter, at least with the recorders tested here. Each model will also make recordings in one of the nonerasable formats (DVD-R or DVD+R) that you'll be able to play in most DVD players and computer DVD drives.

More important than disc format is each recorder's "connectivity." You might demand an i.Link input for digital dubbing of DV camcorder tapes, or a coaxial digital audio connection because it's hard to find reasonably priced optical cables, or maybe you want a front-panel S-video input to ensure the best possible archival dubs from Hi8 or S-VHS tapes.

Factoring in their editing capabilities, recording quality, and ease of use, these three DVD recorders turn out to be almost perfectly balanced against each other. The Philips DVDR 615, with its built-in RF modulator, might be best if you're a rank video beginner who doesn't have even a DVD player and whose aging TV lacks separate video and audio inputs.

Pioneer's DVR-233 is a good choice if you're a budding video editor, especially if you like the idea of quickly removing commercials and prefer easy-to-find DVD-RW blank discs. Panasonic's DMR-ES10, with its playlist editing and simple commercial-killing functions, is an excellent choice if you want to try more advanced editing. And its attractive price is a plus.

I'd be happy with any of them, and the only additions I'd be looking for in a higher-priced model would be an i.Link input and a hard-disk drive. With starter decks like these, DVD recorders are ready to hit the big time.