Suggestions on DVR units?

[darkcyber]

Ok, I've been burning, ripping and recording onto my pc and then burning to dvd for some time now. I'm wanting to get into recording now with a DVR unit. I've read through numerous post and looked under the DVD Recorder section in here. On about each unit listed...about half the post hate the unit and the other half love it.

I just purchased a Sanyo DRW-500 from Walmart tonight and haven't even opened it up yet.

What I would like is suggestions for what is a good unit? All I want to do is just dub some old home vhs tapes to dvd and record from my satellite tv and that's really about it. Just looking for good quality. I would rather stick with a +r unit, but not a total must.

Are there any units that will change like your satellite receivers channel to the correct channel to record from? I thought I read about this in one of my recent pc magazines.


Thanks!

[nickyboy4]

Go for a Pioneer, you wont regret it.
I have yet to see 1 post from someone who bought one and was not satisfied.
I have mine for 2 months now,(dvr220 from Walmart), I love the results of my VHS transfers and for TV recording the Chase play feature is Tivo like. The unit is easy to work and to figure out the many features. It does have an auto record feature from a programed satellite box.
I was all set to buy a Panisonic since I like their products but researched it here and changed my mind. Stay away from RAM, it will die out.

[darkcyber]

Yes, I saw a Pioneer DVR-220-S unit at Walmart when I was looking at the units. It was like $248. Is that the model you're talking about?

RAM...lol...never knew it was alive!

UPDATE: Well, I'm looking at that unit on Walmart.com and it only burns -r/-rw I was really looking for +r...that's what my pc dvd burners use and that way I only have to buy one type of disc.

[hech54]

Philips units are +R's.
I have an older one and love it.
I would not buy another one however.
My decision in based 25% on Philips reputation for somewhat buggy machines and 75% on the fact that the newest Philips no longer have the 1Hour/HQ mode for recording....at least the ones I've looked at.

[bingolong]

Pioneer!

I agree with Nickyboy4. I have a pioneer 420 and am very please with the unit so far.

[van_d_man]

I bought a Go-video 6640
http://www.govideo.com/Index.asp?GV=R6640
LOOKS CHEEP AND UGLY, BUT HAS INCREDIBLE QUALITY. DO NOT GET FOOLED BY THE LOOK.
IT IS BY DEFAULT A MULTI-(ALL )REGIONS PLAYER. Has front DV/IEE input/ component output
I am very pleased with the picture. Even 4 hr mode is good for sports recording - no pixilation.
It uses a new technology DominoFX for doubling the video input signal quality (something like Faroudja DI chip in the Big screen TVs.)
DoMiNoFX™ – Create better looking DVDs by digitally improving the input signal. Uses 3 patented processes: TrueScan™ Pro, TrueView™ Pro & PerfectView® Pro.
All the DVD+RWs recorded on this Go-video model playback on any DVD player – old or new.
There is a “make compatible “ mode for this purpose.

The Govideo 6640 4 hour speed EQUALS = Philips 2.5 hr speed quality.
(I previously owned a Phillips 64 0r 74 mod and returned it. Only 1 HR speed quality was satisfactory to me.)
Go-video 6640 is DVDR+RW
Now they even have a newer models for around 200 USD

http://www.govideo.com/?GV=VR2940 for about $240

if you want a +and – recorder go for LITEON ALLWRITE DVD+RW 4X DUAL RECORDER # LVW-5005 series, only thing is it doesn’t have zoom and chapter edit/delete future, the S-video input is on the rear, which I find uncomfortable for me. The DVD+RWs recorded on this model do not play on other DVD players.
Its $169 here:
http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/ProductM.jsp?nxtg=3cd93e_9809C3B09CA859A4&page=1...te_On_DVD_Dual

But records on any kind of media – DVD+RW (plus) AND – DVD-RW( (minus)RW and CD-RW

IT’S YOUR choice, JUST THROWING MY 2c here.

[nickyboy4]

If you have to have a +R get a Liteon or the Walmart Branded Liteon(ILO).
But I would suggest you consider the Pioneer as the discs play in every set top player I have tried. It will play +'s.
Most experts around here rate the top 3 as JVC, Pioneer & Liteon.
For me it is Pioneer all the way, ask ANYONE who has one.
Good Luck