Looking for a decent inexpensive basic DVD Recorder

[spraetz]

After reading a bunch of these posts - I am more confused than ever....
I am looking for a DVD recorder to copy movies from my DVR and possibly from camcorder to DVD. Just basic stuff.

I had been looking at Panasonic - either the DVR-ES10 or DVR-ES20.....

Any help out here?

Thanks in advance

[gshelley61]

Have a look at the new Toshiba D-R4 as well. You can pick up a nice store return unit on eBay for about $100 or so. Last year's Pioneer DVR-220 and DVR-225 (they are identical) are also great entry level units and can be had on the used market for about $120.

[lordsmurf]

The Pioneer from Walmart would probably suit your needs quite well.

[spraetz]

What about the Panny ES10 vs. the ES20

[bgclarke]

If you need DV input, or think you might in the near future, get the ES20.

Otherwise get the ES10 - it's been officially discontinued, so you should be able to get it at a better price than the ES20.

[trhouse]

New models are not necessarily better than old. I recently bought a new Pioneer DVR-531H and found it has a softer encode than last years model. The difference between the two products made by the same company is sometimes greater than the difference between brands.

If you want an ES10 or ES20, try to see them for yourself. There are unsubstantiated rumors circulating that the encoder and the front end processing for these machines are not the same.

[lordsmurf]

Panasonic doesn't really make a great machine.

[trhouse]

All these recorders even within the same brand seem to have their weak and strong points, but it is better to have choices than none.

[LCSHG]

[ spratez ]

If you are going to transfer movies from a DVR etc. You might want to give consideration in your recorder choice to an increasing use of CPRM, copy flag restriction, along with a camcorder input.

[spraetz]

(LCSHG )

Not sure what you are talking about? Can you help me out.

[LCSHG]

Sorry for the very late reply

Many movies and other programs will have a copy prtection flag that will not allow a opy or limit the number of copies. Most will not allow a copy to a disk.