I just purchased a recorder and you cannot copy most dvds without some type of filter. A recorder acts just like a vcr and any tape or dvd that is macro protected (which most newer ones are) you will need a filter for. You may want to go to www.dvdplusrw.org and read about it. I have a filter and I copy dvds and the picture is a perfect copy but the sound is two channel, not 5.1. As of this date I know of nobody making a 5.1 recorder. I have a PHILLIPS 985R and I think it works great.