I agree with fuzzynuckles.
I have the Shaw Motorolo PVR, a Pioneer HDD and another brand DVD Recorder.
If you just have regular cablevision (i.e. no digital channels or high-definition channels), then almost any DVD recorder will do.
Given the cheap price of blank DVDs, I actually prefer my simple DVD recorder over the Pioneer HDD (which also burns DVDs). This is because the Pioneer uses TV Guide and the TV Guide feature is slow and cumbersome. The TV Guide feature also makes it harder to set the Pioneer up for manual record. The simple DVD recorder doesn't have the HDD, but is far, far cheaper, and easier to set up and record.
If you get digital channels through Shaw or through satellite, the Pioneer has one feature that is of some (limited) use. Rather than set the digital channel in advance so it will be recorded at the correct time (which you have to do with some recorders), Pioneer has a G-link connection that allows the recorder to control the cable/satellite box. The G-link allows the recorder to switch the cable box to the correct channel at the time the recording is to start (which means you can't watch a second channel at the same time except directly through regular CATV). This works great in theory, but in reality it's a pain in the ass. I finally gave up and disconnected the G-link because it made switching channels paintstakingly slow - and also ground the TV Guide menu selections to a slow crawl. If I didn't have this damn thing for a few months, I would take it back.
The Motorola PVR is the most convenient if archiving to DVDs isn't a priority. It uses the Shaw/satellite programming guide, so selecting programs to record is a breeze. However, the Motorola PVR is set up so that you can NOT run multiple outputs. Basically you have one external connection and that's it. You can connect to your stereo or your tv, but not both at the same time. What they don't tell you, however, is that the optical sound connection is always "live" so if your stereo doesn't have an HDMI connection you can still connect to it through component video and use the optical link to get dolby 5.1 sound.
Now the bad: the Motorola PVRs have had lots and lots of problems. All of the DCT64xx versions have had problems. Before buying one, search the internet for your cable or satellite provider and "Motorola DCT64xx" to find the forums where they discuss the problems.
The newest Motorola DCT64xx is the DCT6412 - it has a larger (160 GB) drive but has also had problems. Shaw has advised its customers that they have been working on fixes and testing a software upgrade but it won't be released for awhile.
If not for the fact they seem to be the only way to record scrambled digital channels and high definition channels easily, I would have thrown the Motorola PVR away long ago. I've never had any problems with the Pioneer (other than speed, as described above) or the other DVD recorder, but constant problems with the Motorola (which has been replaced and upgraded several times under warranty).
Part of the problem with the Motorolas may be that they easily overheat, and once they overheat even a bit they can suffer major problems and even failure. If you get one, do NOT use it in an enclosed stereo stand or even in a wall unit - put it somewhere where it gets lots and lots of air circulation as it generated a lot of heat (which is why it overheats so heasily). And since you're supposed to always leave the unit on, this means you can not put it somewhere behind closed doors. A Shaw service rep told me he has had to replace several of these because customers had them in a wall unit or stereo stand and closed the doors when they weren't watching tv!
Before buying any DVD Recorder or HDD-PVR, carefully check out the A-V forums as recommended by others and you may save yourself not only some money but a heck of lot of frustration.
In addition to the sites listed by Man Mountain, check out:
http://www.dvrchatter.com
or, for a more relevant Canadian digital forum, check out:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/
Penhold
