Which is the best DVD+R recorder?

[kayumidome]

I wanted to know in your guys' opinions what is the best DVD+R standalone recorder? I'm looking for a new +R DVD recorder without a hard drive and produces good quality recordings from the cable box.. One which automatically switches to the channel you want to timer record would be nice but not necessary. Anyone have ideas?

[lordsmurf]

A LiteOn unit, easily.

But why only DVD+R? Pick a machine because of how well it performs, not what kind of blanks it uses. Blanks are cheap. If you for some reason have a couple extra DVD+R laying around, give them away, use them elsewhere, trade somebody else for other discs if you need to.

The JVC units, which is DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, is a better unit.

[BobK]

One which automatically switches to the channel you want to timer record would be nice but not necessary. Anyone have ideas?

I don't think I've ever seen one with a timer that doesn't switch to the channel you want to record automatically. Not doing that would somewhat defeat the purpose of having a timer.

[kayumidome]

I have cable and unless I leave it on the channel I want the timer to record on it will not record on the channel desired. This has been a problem for my VCR and DVD recorder for years. The timer will not force the cable box to change the channel that's desired. I have to turn to the channel I want time recorded before leaving the house.

[kayumidome]

I have a DVD +R recorder already. If I get a second +R recorder instead of a -R one I don't have to buy 2 different media

[johns0]

What difference is there to buying dvd-r or dvd+r,you kinda make it sound expensive to buy dvd-r blanks.

[BobK]

The timer will not force the cable box to change the channel that's desired. I have to turn to the channel I want time recorded before leaving the house.

Maybe you should call your cable company. Most of the cable boxes I've seen in the last few years can be set to change to the channel you want at a specific time.

[zleepy]

You can also buy a cheap modern VCR that controls your cable box.
Just set the timer and channel on the vcr and it'll turn on the cable box and tune it.

I don't know how long VCR's will be sold so if you pick this option, better hurry before the last ones are sold.

[KeepItSimple]

I have a DVD +R recorder already. If I get a second +R recorder instead of a -R one I don't have to buy 2 different media

The Panasonic DMR-ES10 records on DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM. I have one and like it. It will change the channels etc etc.

[kayumidome]

And in your opinions what is the best DVD-R standalone recorder without a hard drive?

[unclebud]

Dosen't you cable box have built in timers?

I'd recommend the Sanyo DRW 500.
Nothing fancy (menus), SP record mode is 2hr 29min and looks as good as HQ mode which is 1hr 30 min on +R blanks. I burn all different brands and have only had 2 coasters in 10 months use. They were both HP blank's. About 500 DVD's burn't and I don't know where to put them all.

I recently tried the Cyberhome/Ilo DVDr05 and it has a poor mpeg encoder, Everything looked grainy and it crashed and would not finalize some DVd's. Junk.

Both are available at Wal-Mart.
Good luck
UB

[kayumidome]

I'm not sure if my cable box has built-in timers. All I know is that I have to set my TV and VCR to channel 4 in order to watch cable. I guess I have to do some more research on that. Thanks for the info on the Sanyo unclebud.

[magic75]

I have tried a Sony (PAL) and its picture quality was the best I have seen. Much better than Panasonic & Philips, which are the other brands I have tried.

[kayumidome]

I brought a Pioneer 220-s recorder. I just have to buy a set of DVD-RW.

[BobK]

I brought a Pioneer 220-s recorder. I just have to buy a set of DVD-RW.

I have a 420 and a 220. I'm happy with both.

[kayumidome]

I brought a Pioneer 220-s recorder. I just have to buy a set of DVD-RW.

I have a 420 and a 220. I'm happy with both.

I saw a long post about the 220-s on this site. Alot of people seem pretty satisfied with this recorder. Too bad it doesn't use DVD+RW. I have 20 of them.

[lordsmurf]

DVD-RW are not expensive, maybe $1-2 each at most.

[BobK]

DVD-RW are not expensive, maybe $1-2 each at most.

True. I just bought a box of 25 Ritek RWs for $21.25 (total) at Shop4tech.

[kayumidome]

The pioneer 220-s is pretty good. It came with a DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. It plays my DVD+RW discs too. The price was $145 total brand new. This was a pretty good deal.

[RNR1995]

I have a Philips DVDR600VR/37 that is really impressive to me, the price has also dropped from around 400 to 225 US.

[lordsmurf]

More machines that warrant trials:
Philips DVDR615
Kreisen 530C (Ellion 530C USA clone)
GoVideo R6740
Sensory Science S674 (GoVideo 6740 clone)
GoVideo R6640
LG Electronics DR-4810
LG Electronics DR-4912

Several or these are rather new compared to the likes of LiteOn and JVC. All of these mentioned here operate LSI chips, which will most often give you a superior pictire quality as compared to other machines, especially because of how it filters VHS noise when using tapes.

All DVD+R units too shown here.

I've actually purchased a Kreisen 530C, now I just have to wait for it to come in the mail. I'll review it, and if it works well, share some coupons and rebate information on how to get it dirt cheap.

The Philips is really a tad on the expensive side, and I don't think it's going to warrant a $250-300 tag.

[handyguy]

"DVD-RW are not expensive, maybe $1-2 each at most."

But you don't know how long they are going to last.

[lordsmurf]

"DVD-RW are not expensive, maybe $1-2 each at most."

But you don't know how long they are going to last.

How does that matter? DVD+RW are in the same situation.

[DTSL06]

I have -R and +R recorders and a -/+R one also. I much prefer to use the +R for these reasons. Disc does not have to be finalized (less time) so I can edit on PC. I dont have to decide what video type I want the disc to be recorded as, which is required for -R recorders. I dont have to initialize a disc before starting recording.

EDIT: BTW I like the LiteOn +R recorders. they are affordable and have a very easy user interface. I had DayteK (5001 clone) and currently have the 5005. Much easier to use user interfaces then my BenQ +R recorder and much better interface then my JVC M10 -R recorder.

[slacker]

Just some additional friendly empirical evidence...

I'm a +R fan, both +R and +RW after 5 years of burning. I have used all media types over these 5 years and the + media have been without a doubt cheaper, more available, more reliable, more consistent, and more lasting. Now, it could be the media, or it could be the recorders. THAT, I cannot tell you. BUT I'm a pragmatist to the bone, and you will definitely make your life easier all around by sticking to the + crowd if at all possible.

[danzeb]

The 530C looks interesting but I don't think it will play divx and it would be nice to have a recorded that did it all.

More machines that warrant trials:
Philips DVDR615
Kreisen 530C (Ellion 530C USA clone)
GoVideo R6740
Sensory Science S674 (GoVideo 6740 clone)
GoVideo R6640
LG Electronics DR-4810
LG Electronics DR-4912

Several or these are rather new compared to the likes of LiteOn and JVC. All of these mentioned here operate LSI chips, which will most often give you a superior pictire quality as compared to other machines, especially because of how it filters VHS noise when using tapes.

All DVD+R units too shown here.

I've actually purchased a Kreisen 530C, now I just have to wait for it to come in the mail. I'll review it, and if it works well, share some coupons and rebate information on how to get it dirt cheap.

The Philips is really a tad on the expensive side, and I don't think it's going to warrant a $250-300 tag.

[slacker]

So how does the DoMiNo processor stack up to the others?

[lordsmurf]

So how does the DoMiNo processor stack up to the others?

LSI DoMiNo DMN-860x processor pretty much rules the world in terms of high quality MPEG hardware chips for people that work with traditional home sources like TV, DV and VHS. It not only makes noise-free encodes, it removes any noise that was found in the signal, especially grain and chroma. Some units have their own added DNR (JVC DigiPure), so in tandem with other hardware, it's quite an effective tool. The noise-free encodes, however, depends largely on the way the chip is used by the machine. The CVBR encodes it does are not great, it should be left as VBR.

I've not found a machine yet using LSI chips that was bad quality, though some tend to be better than others.

Compare it to Philips chips (add grain, no filters), or Panasonic chip (add blocks, minor filters), or ESS chips (no filters, crunchy quality past 2-3 hours), or Cirrus chips (mosquito noisy encodes).

[thomseye]

Hey there Lordsmurf...

Is there anywhere on the net where I can find the processor types for dvd-recorders? Every review and specs site I find, merely give their impression of recording quality while leaving out the actual maker of the chip.

Thanks for your help!

In particular, I have a panasonic DMR-ES10 and I'm thinking of taking it back for that Philips DVDR615 which you indicate has an LSI ship. It's only $179 this week at Best Buy.

Btw, all that matters to me is recording quality in "Highest Quality" mode. (and I record off a somewhat "dirty" digital cable signal... i really miss directv for the clean signal)

Thanks for your help!!!
thomseye

So how does the DoMiNo processor stack up to the others?

LSI DoMiNo DMN-860x processor pretty much rules the world in terms of high quality MPEG hardware chips for people that work with traditional home sources like TV, DV and VHS. It not only makes noise-free encodes, it removes any noise that was found in the signal, especially grain and chroma. Some units have their own added DNR (JVC DigiPure), so in tandem with other hardware, it's quite an effective tool. The noise-free encodes, however, depends largely on the way the chip is used by the machine. The CVBR encodes it does are not great, it should be left as VBR.

I've not found a machine yet using LSI chips that was bad quality, though some tend to be better than others.

Compare it to Philips chips (add grain, no filters), or Panasonic chip (add blocks, minor filters), or ESS chips (no filters, crunchy quality past 2-3 hours), or Cirrus chips (mosquito noisy encodes).

[trhouse]

Here is a list compiled by Lordsmurf and others for recorders using LSI chips.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/t271844.html

[edit] One caveat about the LSI DMN chips. As reported by MiG-45 and emlsnws on this thread,

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=255081&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=150

"DMN becomes quiet hot - upto +65C I measure during work"

The comment above was a DMN-8652 chip which had a thermal pad too thin to make sufficient contact to a metal case to draw away heat allowing the chip to come within 5 degrees of the maximum temperature for this part. Some competitive chips run cool enough to require no heatsinking.