Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if it is possible to buy an upscalling DVD recorder (1080p preferably) which also has freeview and most importantly can be made multiregion,

I am not worried about a HDD as I will be using sky+ and just want this to watch my DVD collection on and to allow me to archive my recordings.

Would have a preference for a Sony (but any good one is ok) as I already have a Sony bravia LCD - but I know that it difficult to change region coding of Sony unless done as a mod before buying, have looked at the Sony RDRGX350B but it lacks freeview option.

Any help or advice would be great.

Why do you want an upscaling one?, your TV already upscales (all HD sets do), and it's likely your Sony TV is better than most DVD players.

I've recently purchased a Panasonic DMR-E727 and it outputs via HDMI. The picture quality is really good, and mine pays region 1 DVDs fine out of the box (I got mine from Amazon.co.uk)

It's "only" 1080i, but PQ is excellent.

I don't use freeview (don't even have an aerial) as I watch everything thru Sky+ HD.

Apologies, model number above should be Panasonic DMR-EZ27

I want an upscaller as the dvd recorders i have at the min all are only scart or s-video, and it seems to be upscallers are the ones with HDMI connections, and why would I just stick to my old recorder when i have the option of using better quality hdmi connection on the tv

Because RGB SCART is just as high a quality as HDMI for SD signals - it's a fallacy (and a sales gimmick) that HDMI is any better.

I've installed many upscaling DVD's on Sony BRAVIA's, and I used to connect them via both SCART and HDMI - but in every single case the customer has complained that the picture is no different (which is what you would expect). Now I ONLY connect via an HDMI lead, so the customer can't compare them

Yup.

I agree with Nigel here.

I've got a Sony Bravia TV and have tried a standard DVD player through RGB SCART and an upscaling one through HDMI and I couldn't tell the difference.

The Sony TV's have a pretty good upscaler built in so unless you buy a really good upscaling player (like an Oppo player or high end NAD or Denon or something) you're unlikely to see any real improvement. All you'll be doing is tying up an HDMI slot for no good reason.

Agreed, this is what you would expect from equipment costing £50-£100 being connected to a good quality TV as the scalers used are no better often worse than those used in the TV.

This is not the case for all upscaling DVD players, yes you will pay more, but the price is justified when the picture quality is so much better because the scalers used are much better than the ones used in the TV.

Connect a Denon DVD3930 to any Sony TV and the Denon will outperform the upscaling abilities of the Sony. I don't know what Sony use but the Denon uses the Realta chip which is a professional standard and highly regarded.

thanks for all the info, i will bear all of that in mind,

however getting back to my orginal post does anyone know of any other machines which would meet my criteria.

as think i will prob be using the hdmi connection as have a number of other devices using the scart connections already, as kids have a number of older games machines under the tv.

Your not wanting an HDD, but wanting Freeview, limits your options, most recorders will have Freeview, HDD, and DVD - because it makes far more sense having an HDD (a PVR) for Freeview than not.

Well, pricerunner has filters for all the features you want, so not hard to track them down. No idea which of them are any good though ...

http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/cl/4/DV...DVB-T&a_1393=1

Panasonic do another in their range that meets your needs.

PANASONIC DMREZ28

Also have a look at.

Toshiba DR18DTKTB

LG DRT389H

AFAIK all three can be purchased in multiregion format.