Nfaguys is talking about my DMR-E80 review . I bought it to archive old home videos to DVD before the tapes died, but I haven't used it with a DVR like your 522. It only supports analog stereo and s-video or composite video inputs, so unless the 522 applies some sort of macrovision on its output a recorder like my E80 would work fine. If your 522 has a FireWire output, you might look for a DVD recorder with a FireWire input (offered by some for use with MiniDV camcorders). The hard drive is definitely handy - it allows me to edit, title, cut ads out of TV shows, compile discs from bits and pieces spread all over the drive (particularly handy for old home movies), and burn multiple copies.