Isignia NS-DVDR1 Clearanced at Best Buy $74.99

[Marlowe]

Just wanted to pass on that as I was dwelling over DVD recorders last night at Best Buy, I noticed the Isignia NS-DVDR1 was clearanced for $75, so I started to look at the display model. I got interested in that it played Divx and then noticed the "DVFX" logo on it. It had s-video in the front only.

Brought it home and it has played every media I've thrown at it and all my xvid files with a file browser. I'm also impressed with the quality over the Lite-On LVW-5006 (attributable to the newer LSI chip?) I was testing with for VHS conversion. Other than the front-only s-video input, it has an additional questionable design feature: an external fan in back (as if it was added after the design was finalized.) I haven't noticed any distracting noise from the unit, though.

My understanding from browsing is that LG builds this machine and so far I'm pleased. It comes with a 1 year parts and labor warranty handled through Best Buy, so that is an additional plus.

I didn't see much posted on this, so I thought I'd pass this along; with the 12% Best Buy Reward coupon, you should be able to get this for around $66 before tax. Though I don't see it on BB's website, here is the product information:

Insignia NS-DVDR1

[drstew]

Is the tuner stereo?

[Marlowe]

Hmm, the specs on the site say "Stereo Audio Outputs No" but I'm not sure what that means. I don't have sophisticated ears, so other than a live performance by Pink Floyd of "Time," what's the best way to test the tuner for stereo/mono performance?

[lordsmurf]

Record something stereo (most primetime tv shows, M-F 7-9pm) and dump it into something like Goldwave, and see if the waveforms match.

[Marlowe]

Ah, thanks, LS. I'm familiar with Goldwave, so I'll give that a try this weekend.

[BCdave]

On p. 16 of the Manual, it states you can cycle the tuner's audio through "stereo-L-R-mono-stereo". Also, the troubleshooting tips indicate that recording is in stereo from a stereo source, and the specs show audio compression format as "Dolby Digital". ie. the tuner is stereo, like all of LG's recorders, rather than mono, like Lite-On or Polaroid.

I have 2 LG recorders, and they are dependable machines, with outstanding video quality due to the LSI encoding chip. I believe the DVFX logo indicates LSI's most current generation of encoding technology (see http://www.lsilogic.com/news/product_news/2006_07_25a.html ) so I think this Insignia recorder is an awesome deal, and I'd pick one up if my LG's weren't so darned durable (plus, of course, my wife would kill me ...)
Note: like all LG recorders, the one desirable feature that's missing is the lack of FR (flexible recording) - You're stuck with 1, 2, 4 & 6 hour modes.

[jamiemark]

Is that unit +R recording only?

[BCdave]

The Insignia Manual says it plays & records on +/- R/RW. No mention of RAM or RDL.

[lacywest]

I took this from the Best Buy website and checked the stores in the Fresno California area .... shows they are in stock ... Price is >>>> "Our Price: $115.99"


Cool ... hey this would be great for watching my porn flicks on.

So I can supposedly archive a bunch of my X-Rated Divx or Xvid movies on to DVD disks and watch them with this unit on my Sony 51" HiDef TV ... ?????

Product Features
DTS decoder and 3D surround sound bring you a cinematic audio experience
Super-slim design (2-1/10") easily fits into a home theater system
54MHz/10-bit video digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion
192kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion
Zoom feature allows for magnification of select areas
Inputs: Composite video, A/V, S-video, DV, audio, RF
Outputs: analog audio, optical digital audio, coaxial digital audio, composite video, S-video, component, audio
On-screen display allows you to choose from English, French, Spanish and Portuguese; commercial skip and parental lock for added convenience
Standard remote included
Product Details
Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year
Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year

Product Height 2-1/10"
Product Width 16-9/10"
Product Weight 9.3 lbs.
Product Depth 10-2/5"
DVD Player Type DVD Player (Single)
Disc Capacity 1

Playback Formats DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, JPEG, DivX, XviD

Progressive Scan Yes
DTS Decoder Yes
Simulated Surround Yes
Media Card Slot No
USB Port No
Optical Digital Audio Outputs Yes
Coaxial Digital Audio Outputs Yes
Composite Video Outputs Yes
Composite Video Inputs Yes
Audio Inputs Yes
Audio Outputs Yes
S-Video Inputs Yes
S-Video Outputs Yes
RF Input Yes
Component Video Outputs Yes
HDMI Outputs No
DVI Outputs No
Stereo Audio Outputs No <<<< what does that mean ???
Zoom Feature Yes
Remote Control Type Standard

[lacywest]

On p. 16 of the Manual, it states you can cycle the tuner's audio through "stereo-L-R-mono-stereo". Also, the troubleshooting tips indicate that recording is in stereo from a stereo source, and the specs show audio compression format as "Dolby Digital". ie. the tuner is stereo, like all of LG's recorders, rather than mono, like Lite-On or Polaroid.

I have 2 LG recorders, and they are dependable machines, with outstanding video quality due to the LSI encoding chip. I believe the DVFX logo indicates LSI's most current generation of encoding technology (see http://www.lsilogic.com/news/product_news/2006_07_25a.html ) so I think this Insignia recorder is an awesome deal, and I'd pick one up if my LG's weren't so darned durable (plus, of course, my wife would kill me ...)
Note: like all LG recorders, the one desirable feature that's missing is the lack of FR (flexible recording) - You're stuck with 1, 2, 4 & 6 hour modes.

Flexible recording would be nice ... very very nice ... but I am doing fine with my Panasonic EH50 units with the 100 GB harddrives.

The feature I like is playing Divx and Xvid ... that is what I am attracted to.

My thought is ... where would I place this unit ... or locate them in the area where my equipment is at ... hmm ... I think there is room in the spot where my Mitshubishi S-VHS VCR is located ... I'm at work [4:05 AM] and home is 40 minutes away.

[lacywest]

Is that unit +R recording only?

I downloaded the manual ...

records on DVD-R ... DVD+R and DVD RW +R or DVD RW -R

Also talks about ...

Timer recording speeds ... there is a setting for timer mode called AT ... stands for Auto.

In Auto mode ... the unit will adjust as it records a show. I wonder how good it does ??

[Marlowe]

I took this from the Best Buy website and checked the stores in the Fresno California area .... shows they are in stock ... Price is >>>> "Our Price: $115.99"

I believe that was the last price it was sold at, but the Southgate, MI store had it for $74.99. This was not an open box special, but the clearance price, which I believe (?) is national.

As far as divx/xvid play, I've tried both formats on different brand media of DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RW and had no issues. It even comes up with a file browser which all divx players I've tried in the past didn't have (they just autoplayed and you were forced to skip over and over to get what you want.) Which was annoying for TV shows that all started with the same sequence.

The warranty is also exceptional: "Insignia Products warrants to you, the original purchaser of this Product, that this product shall be free of defects in material or workmanship for the Warranty Period of one (1) year...will repair or replace the Product, at its option at no charge, or pay the labor charges to any Insignia authorized service facility [with,] at no cost, new or rebuilt replacement parts in exchange for defective parts. To obtain warranty service, you must take the Product with your original receipt or other proof of purchase...to your nearest retail store location of the store or online web site from which you purchased the Product." In other words, take it in to Best Buy.

[JohnnyMalaria]

I bought one of these a few months ago and have been very impressed with it - until yesterday

For some reason, it has started having great trouble recognizing commercial (i.e., pressed) DVDs. When I put a commercial disc in, the unit spends a considerable amount of time trying to identify it. More often than not, it will give up with an "Unknown Disc" error. Some times it will *eventually* recognize the DVD. This happens with Region 1 and All Regions discs.

DVD+RW, CD etc are still recognized quickly and without error. The recording still works just fine, too.

Anyone experienced this sort of thing before?

(I have cleaned the lens but it didn't help - though I was surprised to discover that the recorder unit itself is an IDE device!)

[SingSing]

Time to find out how good is Bestbuy store brand warranty ?

[GaryF]

After reading this thread, I called around to some Best Buys in the area and ended up buying a new one yesterday on clearance for $68.99, -$5 RewardZone discount, so $63.99 in all! This was a great deal for me since I was looking for my first recorder to get my feet wet.

It was easy to setup and very easy to figure out how to set recording speeds, how to initialize, record, and finalize an RW, and edit the titles.

Each store sets different clearance prices I found out, and some were still selling them at the full price of $115.99. You might have to haggle with the manager to get them to match another Best Buy that sells them cheaper, like I had to.

The kid working there did say that it is LG equipment branded for Best Buy as Insignia.

[Marlowe]

Time to find out how good is Bestbuy store brand warranty ?

I suspect they'll either send it out for repair, or especially with the low cost of the unit, just give you store credit toward another unit.

[resohed]

looked at a store in raleigh nc. 11/17. $115 there. $105 online. how do you get one for $75?

[GaryF]

Call a couple of stores in your area that have them in stock. One store might be on clearance where another may not.
I got lucky with the first store I called. They had several for $68.99.