Soft launched recently, the new-generation DVR-645H-S and 745H-S represent the pinnacle of Pioneer’s DVR range. Besides sporting high-capacity hard drives, both recorders are also ahead of the pack with onboard HD-ready HDMI and USB connectivity. Read on as we test drive the 250GB 645H-S to bring you an indepth analysis of this promising recorder.Bright blue and red LEDs on the front signify whether you are in hard disk drive (HDD) or DVD mode, and will play back or record to the selected device. The 56-button remote is silver on the front and black on the back with large finger grooves.

Nothing in particular really stands out as striking in terms of the 645H’s design, which isn’t to say it’s an unattractive DVD recorder, just that Pioneer has focused more on its functionality than appearance. Weighing in at around 4.4kg and measuring 420 x 318 x 69mm, the 645H has been given a standard silver finish with a black horizontal stripe across the front. Underneath the stripe is a flip-down panel which gives access to two USB ports–type A and B–as well as DV, S-video, composite-video and stereo analog inputs. Pioneer strangely hides the playback controls behind this panel, too, but as the remote control gets used the majority of the time, we can understand their rationale to keep it out of sight.

At the back of the unit are the rest of the connections, which include HDMI, component-video and two sets of composite/S-video and stereo analog outputs. There are also a further two inputs at the back for recording from sources such as settop boxes. Unfortunately though, the 645H has no control over external devices so you’re stuck having to tediously program separate timers. A coaxial digital output is also here, but no optical audio.