The best affordable DVD Recorder?

[pbuscher]

I am looking for a really good DVD Recorder that can at least burn and read either DVD+RW and/or DVD-RW, and plays in progressive scan. It would be great if it would play VCD and SVCD too.

It doesnt need to have an internal hard drive (but if it has one, thats cool)
It doesnt need to be a VCR combo (but if it has one, thats cool too)
It would be great if it can read DVD+DL, though, I guess its not mandatory.

Anything $350 or below.

Anyone got any good ideas?

Thanks

[Frobozz]

Here you go:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDname=&cdrs=&cdrws=&dvdrs=&dvdrws=&dvdprs=&d...&Search=Search

I see there are 260 models in the list now. Maybe a better approach is finding out what models are available to you and just reading the user reviews of those.

[pbuscher]

I'm well aware of the search function. When I do this:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDname=&Submit=Search&dvdr=1&dvdrw=1&dvdplusr...y=Name&hits=25
it only shows one DVD recorder that sort of has a poor review with a small amount of people.

I was hoping that someone might know one off the top of their head that might not be listed in videohelp.com

[Capmaster]

You're looking through the DVD Players. You need to look here and check the "Only Desktop DVD Recorders" in the search setup:

[macleod]

@capmaster:


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pbuscher]

You're looking through the DVD Players. You need to look here and check the "Only Desktop DVD Recorders" in the search setup:

But I'm looking for a standalond DVD Player that is also a recorder, not something for the PC.

Why couldnt I go in "DVD Players" and click "DVD Recorder" and all the other criteria I wanted?

[samijubal]

You're backwards, DVD recorders are also players, not the other way around.

[pbuscher]

When I do it Capmaster's way and search for DVD+R/RW/-R/-RW it only shows:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDname=&cdrs=&cdrws=&writedvdr=1&dvdrs=&write...&Search=Search
Hardly none of them are reviewed. There is no way to search which ones have progressive scan or which ones would read DVD+DL. All (but one -which has no reviews) are out of my price range. And almost all burn only at 1X.

So.... could anyone recommend one that they might have seen in a store or one that they own?

[samijubal]

All recorders are progressive scan as far as I know. If you want more to choose from then narrow your search. There aren't very many that do DVD-R and DVD+R, that's why you are only getting a few expensive ones. Pick one of the 2 formats and you will get plenty of results.

[Frobozz]

The link I posted gives you a list of all the standalone DVD recorders that have user reviews on this site. Your question about what is the best is one that gets asked quite a bit and you might peruse this forum to find comments. The problem about "the best" is that each of us has limited experience comparing different models. I love how my Pioneer performs but I haven't a clue as to whether it is the best. Compared to what?

That's why there is no answer to this question. You need to read reviews of different brands and models that you're considering and decide which one seems best to you.

Oh, one more suggestion: when you narrow it down to three or four models, download and read the manuals. That'll give you insight about how easy the unit is to use and whether it does all you want it to do. I found this very helpful (even though I often was bewildered by the descriptions in the manuals).

[pbuscher]

Can a DVD Recorder that records either +RW or -RW, can they record live TV? Or is that only possible with a DVD Recorder that has a Hard Drive?

[samijubal]

Any recorder records TV, that's what they are for. Think of it like a VCR that records discs instead of tapes, that's basically what they are.

[midnightsun]

I would use a recorder only for the recording and have a player (most of which cost as low as 50$ or € nowadays) for playing back.

Also, there's not much use in having a recorder able to write to both + and -, is there? You're fine with just either of the two.

A hard disk is almost mandatory if you record very long programs (for example I practically only record sports, mainly track&field, and most meets/marathons/etc last for as long as 3 hours, and Championships for even longer!) and don't want to go much lower than 2hr-ish/dvd quality.

As for DL, not many people have started burning DL discs yet so that could account for the lack of info on the recorders' compatibility with those discs.

[pbuscher]

I love how my Pioneer performs

Which Pioneer do you have?

[samijubal]

A player is a good idea, I never use my $300 recorder to play, I use a $40 player.

[pbuscher]

So even though a DVD Recorder only burns at 1X, it'll still record live TV fine?

[samijubal]

It records in real time, just like live TV is shown. It can't possibly record live TV any faster.

[pbuscher]

OH! Ok. Then... how come there are 4X and 8X DVD Recorders?

Sorry for all the questions

[Frobozz]

I love how my Pioneer performs

Which Pioneer do you have?

I have the Pioneer DVR-510H-S. Pioneer has replaced this model with the 520H-S. It has a hard drive and costs more than your $350 budget. I doubt if you'll find any good-quality recorder with hard drive for under $350 but saying this will probably get some replies that proves me wrong.

The perfect standalone recorder hasn't been invented; all of them have compromises and all the current models will be out-of-date by next summer. Still, they are pretty darn good at what they do.

As for dual-layer media, it currently sells for about $10 per disc and is not available in a rewritable format (as far as I know). I'm not interested in that as yet but some day that may be a must-have feature.

[Harpmaker]

Hi pbuscher;

If you want an inexpensive, some would say cheap, entry-level DVD recorder I would recommend the iLO DVDR04 sold at most Wal-Mart stores for $149. The only problem I have had with mine is that there is a low-volume high pitched buzz in all recordings done through the front A/V inputs. All rear inputs work fine as does the front DV input. If you buy from Wal-Mart you have 90 days to take it back if you don't like it!

[pbuscher]

Thanks Frobozz.

Has anyone heard about the Pioneer DVR-RT500?
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDnameid=743&Search=Search&list=1#comments
I found it for $300 and it burns DVD-R/RW, runs in progressive scan, plays VHS, JPEG, and MP3s.

Anyone hear anything bad about this player?

[babyboo]

You can't record something live other than in real time hence the 1X. The 4X and 8X that you refer to is either for DVDR drives for a PC where you aren't recording realtime to the DVDR (which you can do with certain software but it would slow the drive down to 1X anyway) or perhaps a DVD Recorder with a HDD where the capture is done to the HDD in real time 1X and burned to the internal writer at 4 or 8X

[Frobozz]

Has anyone heard about the Pioneer DVR-RT500?

Anyone hear anything bad about this player?

I have confidence in Pioneer products (obviously). If you are looking to also replace your VCR or don't have space for both a VCR and DVD player this looks like a good choice. If you don't really need the VCR then compare this with the DVR-220 (I believe it sells at Walmart) or DVR-320. Go to pioneerelectronics.com and you should be able to download the operating manual to see what this unit does and cannot do.

My most frequently posted warning: Pioneer only provides a warranty if an item is purchased from an authorized Pioneer retailer. If you buy from any other source you have no warranty (not even 1 day) from Pioneer. Of course the seller may offer its own warranty.

[pbuscher]

Thanks Frobozz!

I am also in need of a VCR too, so this Pioneer should fit me perfectly

[Mark_Venture]

You can't record something live other than in real time hence the 1X. The 4X and 8X that you refer to is either for DVDR drives for a PC where you aren't recording realtime to the DVDR (which you can do with certain software but it would slow the drive down to 1X anyway) or perhaps a DVD Recorder with a HDD where the capture is done to the HDD in real time 1X and burned to the internal writer at 4 or 8X

Ok, I'm new to the home stand alone type recorders, but visit.... http://www.liteonamericas.com/us/ce5005.htm put your mouse cursor over the various parts of the picture. When over the left part of the try where the Disc goes, its pop-up says "High Performance Recording. 4x DVD recorder. One of the fastest DVD recorders on the market."

Why?? This unit does not have an internal hard drive, and is a complete, home style DVD Recorder.

Is it just a "marketing" thing? Maybe for when you are recording from the DV link?

[samijubal]

Don't believe everything you read, that probably was supposed to go with a hard drive unit. It's impossible to record a real time input source any faster than real time. You can't speed up the source.

[ckwok1]

You can't record something live other than in real time hence the 1X. The 4X and 8X that you refer to is either for DVDR drives for a PC where you aren't recording realtime to the DVDR (which you can do with certain software but it would slow the drive down to 1X anyway) or perhaps a DVD Recorder with a HDD where the capture is done to the HDD in real time 1X and burned to the internal writer at 4 or 8X

Recording in real time is not equal to recording in 1X . 1X in DVD world means a continous data transfer rate of about 10M bps. At this data rate, a standard DVD can record 1 hour of video. When 2 hour recording mode is used, the "average" recording speed of the DVD drive is only 0.5X But it does not mean the drive is recording at 0.5X. It only means that the drive is turned on and off periodically.

Ok, I'm new to the home stand alone type recorders, but visit.... http://www.liteonamericas.com/us/ce5005.htm put your mouse cursor over the various parts of the picture. When over the left part of the try where the Disc goes, its pop-up says "High Performance Recording. 4x DVD recorder. One of the fastest DVD recorders on the market."

Why?? This unit does not have an internal hard drive, and is a complete, home style DVD Recorder.

Is it just a "marketing" thing? Maybe for when you are recording from the DV link?

Without a hard disk you may still need a > 1X drive. For example, a Pioneer requires a 2X or 4X -RW disk in order to provide "play while recording" feature. Well, it does not apply for the Lite-on unit. Any way, at least it tells you that you can use 4X disk 8)

[MickeyMouse]

Liteon LVW5101 at Sams Club for $139. Records +R/+RW.

[pbuscher]

How about an RCA DRC8300N? Or a GoVideo VR4940? Anyone hear good or bad about this player?

Or would that Pioneer be better?

[linetest]

I bought an RCA 8005 at Sam's last night. Hope to play with it some this weekend and see how it does. Not much feedback with the RCA.
I'll have to take the cover off and peek at the chipset also. :P