Recommendations Please

[oldtrout]

What is the best bang for my "few" dollars in a standalone DVD recorder that:

Will play divx

Will pay and Record DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW

Thanks

[BCdave]

oldtrout, I have the LG LRH-780 (an 80 GB HDD model) which has the features you want. It will also record on +RDL, and it has the current generation LSI encoding chip, which produces video quality noticeably better than the source when recording from its built-in tuner, or from VHS tapes. Here's LSI's press release on their DMN-8653 chip and DVFX enhanced video processing: http://www.lsilogic.com/news/product_news/2006_07_25a.html

The one desirable feature that it's missing is Flex Record (to match the bitrate to available space when recording to a DVD).

They're currently on sale at Future Shop:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10072965&catid=22226&l...gon=&langid=EN

For that price, I would definitely recommend an HDD model, but if you want to pay even less, all of LG's non-HDD models have your required features plus the LSI chip - But wait until you see one on sale.

[oldtrout]

Thank you Dave for your reply.

I am a retired senior on a very fixed income and was hoping to find something for a little less, however sometimes saving a few $ is folly.

Please consider I am not as observant as some as to the quality of the .pic etc. (unless it is really bad).

Do you or anyone else have any comments on this one.
Kaco Progressive Scan 1-Disc DVD Recorder (DV-XVR422)

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10073...57&catid=22226

It has these features:
# divx capibality
# NTSC/PAL
# Multi-Region DVD Playback
# +/-R/RW Recordable

Thanks again

[BCdave]

oldtrout, here's some owner's comments on the Kaco (and on the Sonar, which looks like a Kaco clone sold by Best Buy), in case you haven't seen this thread: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1611075#1611075
The Kaco sounds like it might do the job for you, as the "negatives" mentioned aren't too serious. The only problem might be durability, as there's no real history of these inexpensive Chinese-made (I assume) models.

Too bad you can't get an Insignia, which apparently is built by LG, and which is being clearanced by some Best Buys in the USA at about $75US.

If you decide that the Kaco is too risky, you might consider the Lite-On LVW5115GHC+, which is sold at Costco in Nanaimo for $140. http://us.liteonit.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=146&Itemid=119
It has all the features you require. I'm not sure about this model, but most of the previous Lite-Ons have had the LSI chip for superb video quality (even if it doesn't matter to you). For me, the deal-breaker with Lite-Ons has been that the tuner is mono, as I record a lot of music videos off MuchMusic.

Hope you find an affordable recorder that you can live with.

Dave

[oldtrout]

[/b]Many thanks Dave.

I will certainly check our your suggestions.

[CrayonEater]

Just a consideration: It's hard enough to find a decent DVD recorder without imposing requirements like Divx playback. Good Divx DVD players are cheap enough now. Plus, using a DVD player for playback reduces wear-and-tear on the recorder and you generally will have faster load times, better remotes/controls, etc. Of course, if you do find a recorder that does everything you want, more power to you. But remember recording quality and capabilities are paramount.