On the RH1XX series (I reffer to RH177, RH188, RH199, RH200) all the firmware are identical, but the recorder, a part the different HD capience, have some different features... for example the ones with a terminal "S" can record in MPeg4 on the HDD, 188-199 have DVD-RAM support.... and so on.

How is possble: identical firmware with different function? The secret "service menu" is the answer... just by changing some value in the menu you'll get these features (and more) if not already implemented in your model.

Obviously, some function althought supported by the firmware, need hw (for example, we found how to activate in the secret menu the HDMI output or the Memory Card support, but without the hw, you cannot use them).

So, if anyone is really interested, I can tell him how to enter in the so called "service menu" to improve his RH-1XX recorder.... and remember, I'm not a visionary! I request only a little cooperation by you, to improve our knowledge.

Let me know.