I just bought one on impulse, it's not bad actually apart from one problem and the fact it'll probably blowup soon.

I can't get it to display 16:9, even setting it in the system menu doesn't work. On from that it will only record in 4:3 mode, ie squahed up if a 16:9 broadcast, the Philips online solution being 'press 16:9 on the TV'. Well that's pathetic, why can it not switch like Sky does?

I have it routed via my SkyPlus box, tried it both ways, Sky,DVDR,Telly, and DVDR,Sky,Telly, same.

If anyone can help otherwise it's back to ASDA.....

the dvd recorder only default 4:3 but you just have to change the tv at 16:9 -- it up to you to keep or send it back and have look on www.totaldigital.biz and see Panasonic or Pioneer or Sony -- I used Pioneer DVR-545HX-S that can recorder 4:3 or 16:9 from recorder setup menu very easily.

the 3380 dont have the 16:9 in the setup menu as I looked up online manual.

see Pioneer DVR545HX: http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/4...X-S/index.html

Mine deffo has a 16:9 option in the System Menu (setup) but it doesn't seem to do anything!

I'm gonna give it some effort over weekend if not I'll take it back - u shouldn't have to manually switch in this day and age!

I think the 16:9 option in the setup menu only applies to watching DVDs.

So what's the deal with this 3380?

I was thinking about purchasing a DVDR and the Philips seems to have all the features that I require (main priority being 2 RGB SCARTS ), and the price isn't too bad and would compliment my Sky+ nicely.

However after reading all this about the 16:9 issue (both here and elsewhere), I'm unsure whether it could be a major issue for me. My TV is nothing special, and doesn't allow me to manually switch between 4:3 and 16:9.