On a non-HD TV on Sagem DTR84250HD is connected via a SCART (not via HDMI), and then the recorded image is, I think, a step below the original image, but nothing serious.
The menu, navigation, functionality is a VERY BIG simplicity, it is important to clarify because it is really a strong point.
I personally find sufficient capacity hard drive, there are no plans for permanent storage, just for record-erase-view. This product replaces the old VCR for a price of course quite high, but ... the digital era requires us to certain developments.