The best trade — JVC DR-MV1S
We already made acquaintance with DR-MV1S DVD/VCR combo from JVC DVD recorders, at the manufacturer's recommended price of $300. It is a highly reliable unit that writes in DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM formats. Both VCR and DVD recorder decks include TV tuners. This allows you to simultaneously record two different shows on different media. With DVD-RAM you get to use some nice TiVo-like features like "pause live TV", replay and fast forward, or simultaneously view the beginning of a show while the machine continues to record it.
About the recording quality, there's a feature you might find nice to use: “Free Rate” recording, that automatically sets the recording quality mode according to the length of the program. It has multiple outputs to choose from: progressive scan, component video, S-video and composite. The VCR Plus+ timer recording and play list editing are more features to enjoy on this model.
What makes it stand out of the crowd? The on-disc “timer programming” function. If you want to save every episode of a TV show on a single disc, set the DR-MV1S to record directly on DVD-RW or DVD-RAM. When the media is full, the older episode will be removed to make room for the newer one.
The best featured — JVC DR-MX1S
If you want even more recording versatility, try the upper model from JVC, DR-MX1S; this is a DVD/VHS recorder combination with a 80GB hard drive. The HD memory allows you to record up to 18 hours of video in highest quality mode, and more than 100 hours in lower quality. Includes a FireWire port. It should be available for $600 or more.
If you want to trade the VCR for more hard drive capacity (160GB), at about the same price, look for JVC DR-MH30S. This model doesn't have a FireWire port.
The bargain — JVC DRM10S
If you simply want a convenience DVD recorder with no upward features, you can settle for JVC's DRM10S. But at the same price, the Lite-On LVW-5005 has much more to offer.