Other features include CD/MP3 playback, DVD+R/+RW playback, and 1-year, 8-event scheduling. Rewriteable DVD-RW media can be recorded more than 1,000 times, holding 60 minutes in XP mode and an amazing 600 minutes (10 hours) of programming in SEP mode. The recorder's editing function will erase sections of recorded scenes easily. Select any image you like to represent a scene's thumbnail image for chapter selection. On rewritable discs, you can add chapter marks, delete parts of titles, and set representative thumbnail images.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the DV-SR45U is ready to deliver the full potential of your commercial DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DV-SR45U sports one set of progressive-scan component-video outputs and 1 each composite- and S-video outs for use with SD (standard-definition) TVs as well as with VCRs or DVRs.

Inputs consist of 2 each composite- and S-video, with 2 sets of stereo analog (left/right) RCA audio inputs. One set of AV/S inputs is conveniently located on the unit's front panel for ready connection to a camcorder or other device. An RF audio/video input accepts a feed from an older VCR or cable box, or an antenna, while a single RF output passes an NTSC tuner signal to another component.

In the audio department, this unit--like many other DVD recorders--compresses all incoming audio signals with Dolby Digital 2.0, which conserves space but slightly compromises audio quality. A set of left/right RCA analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's coaxial digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

The DV-SR45U simplifies the process of searching for a specific moment on a disc through its high-speed-access thumbnail views and Quick Search functions. In addition, this DVD recorder also features a Block Noise filter that decreases overall noise in the playback picture.

The DV-SR45U is CPRM-compliant. CPRM stands for stands for Content Protection for Recordable Media, a copy-protection system triggered by specific CPRM programs. You can record copy-once broadcast programs, but you cannot then make a copy of those recordings. CPRM recordings can only be made on DVD-RW discs formatted in VR mode, and CPRM recordings can only be played on players that are specifically compatible with CPRM.