Upsides:

I haven't found any other DVD standalone recorder even new that allows you to put 2 hr 30 mins of super high quality data(M2X) on a 2 hr disc. It has one touch recording, if you so choose. You can select automatic chapters, which means that the recorder will place chapters in for you at certain intervals or you can manually add chapters and tracks whenever and wherever you want(not like some, which only allow automatic chapter selection; a big pain!). It does have timer recording; although, I don't know much about it, because I don't use it. It also has camera hookups for putting those family memories on DVD. It has the ability to connect several devices up at once and flip back and forth from channel to channel, recording from each device, as needed.  It also has front and rear jacks. You can also use coaxial cable, DVD RGB cable, AV cable, camera cable, or S-VIDEO cable for connecting devices. It uses +R; I recommend Imation; they are cheap and have a high success rate for recording and compatibility. I haven't had a problem with playing the Imation DVD +R discs(once finalized) back in any players yet, even old and cheap players, and I have tried many. They also record to DVD+RW, which do not need to be finalized, but are limited in playback(way more compatible than the monopolized DVD RAM).  The unit also conveniently glows red when recording and the disc and track titles can be see on the TV screen, as well as, the recorder's clear screen. 

 Downsides:

REW and FF a disc are on a menu, which means everytime you want to go up or back a few min/secs. you have to pull up a menu to do so. Don't buy Philips, Maxell, and/or Memorex DVD discs; they are some junk discs! They play in the Philips DVDR 72 unit, but are not highly compatible with other units and are not highly durable. The unit has a plain and dull screen that you will undoubtedly get tired of. The recorded tracks line up vertically on the screen, just imagine having alot of tracks and how ugly it is to have square blotches lining the screen and how frustrating it can be not being able to see all your tracks at a glance! On the flipside: You can use chapters to completely avoid using tracks. The unit also has a few quirks; one of which, when you start a recording, it will very, very rarely pause and display a code, which is harmless to disc and unit. You just power off and back on. On the flipside: Getting a DVD cleaner and using it regularly might eliminate this quirk completely. Also, the unit is very slow when powering on, but has average speed otherwise. Also, you can't leave unit in standby mode; unplug unless you're doing a timer recording. It doesn't play CD's well and it doesn't play poorly scratched DVD's well; however, it does play fair, good, & great DVDs. On the flipside: Cleaning regularly will produce best results when playing trouble discs. You will  have to record in M2X mode(great, comparible to SP VCR recording, but many times better), because M1X(the highest quality) isn't compatible in all players and M4X is fair at best(comparible to LP, but many times worse), and M6X is just horrible(comparible to SLP mode on a VCR, but many times worse). Also, as with any standalone unit, you'll need a special box, such as Sima GO DVD, for making copyrighted copies of VHS or DVD. If you just want to make copy copyrighted copies of VHS, then use other much cheaper options on ebay! 

This unit is not a professional unit, as computer units are, but it is great when compared to most standalone units. I would recommend this unit for home and for passing alone copies to your friends. I also recommend this unit, if you need to go from VHS to DVD+R to professional computer DVD burners(which claim to play almost all DVD's). This unit is also great, if you're not computer savvy and want to eliminate a copyright before making a professional copy on your computer burner. Just remember to use chapters not tracks and M2X mode(2h30min) and this unit will be great for "recording"! If you're going to use M1X mode(1 hr., but incredible quality), then test it first on the players in question.