pioneer -533h-s

[pantangs]

I am thinking of buying the piuoneer dvd recorder dvr-533h-s. Is this a good model.what are the goods on this recorder?

[yoda313]

Hello,

Try this link from cnet.com:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Pioneer_DVR_533H_S/4505-9141_7-31473259.html


The good: The Pioneer DVR-533H-S is dual-layer DVD-R compatible; solid recording quality; intuitive, comprehensive menus; free TV Guide electronic programming guide worked properly in our tests; high-speed video dubbing and archiving; custom recording modes; FireWire input; 30-second (or longer) commercial skip.

The bad: The Pioneer DVR-533H-S cannot record to DVD+R/RW or DVD-RAM; TV Guide not compatible with satellite TV and is clunkier than TiVo; crowded remote; no coaxial digital audio output.

The bottom line: With dual-layer recording, a host of conveniences, and a slim look, the full-featured Pioneer DVR-533H-S recorder seems like a bargain.

[redwudz]

I have a 633h-s and so far I am happy with it. I haven't quite got the hang of editing yet, though most of the controls make sense and it's fairly easy to use. I use the optical out for sound because the coaxial in on my HT amp is used by a DVD player. It does have coaxial audio out, also.

I like the TV guide feature, works great with my cable. The hard drive noise is a little irritating, but it runs mostly in the morning when I leave for work anyway. I would generally rate the ease of use very good considering how complex a unit it is.

I got it to replace a Walmart cheapo DVR that I wish I hadn't bought in the first place. It pays to do a little research before you buy a large ticket item like a DVR.

EDIT: Sorry, I was wrong about the coaxial out, just has optical digital out.

[TBoneit]

FWIW the controls for moving through the video to edit are the same function as for playing. They make it easy to edit out commercials. Personal opinion is that editing is easier than on the computer with all the controls on the remote.

Several speeds forward and reverse, slo-mo, commercial skip fwd/rev., fwd/reverse step if paused.

[pantangs]

Ho so far it seems that this dvd recorder will do what i want.The only thing is the noise from this model and the television guide.I have heard the television guide for recording will not work in canada is that true.Lot of people have also raved about the cinema 2.3 video saying its great.

[garman]

Ho so far it seems that this dvd recorder will do what i want.The only thing is the noise from this model and the television guide.I have heard the television guide for recording will not work in canada is that true.Lot of people have also raved about the cinema 2.3 video saying its great.

Just bought one a few days ago. 379$ CND and it does pick up the tv listings data. Kind of slow though. I find navigating though the listings needs much improvement. I'll add further comments after really playing with it. -garman

[pantangs]

For This pioneer what are the best dvd disc to use.I dont want to buy a bunch then find they dont work on it.

[FulciLives]

I have the Pioneer DVR-531H-s which is exactly the same as the DVR-533H-s except the 531 has no firewire input and the 533 does have a firewire input.

I am VERY happy with the quality and ease-of-use of the Pioneer. Quality is excellent and ease-of-use is extremely "high".

Here is a thread where I posted a bunch of video pics from captures/recordings done with my Pioneer DVR-531H-s

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=284140

The only other model you might want to consider is the JVC stand alone DVD recorder. It is a bit more expensive but features a 160GB HDD instead of an 80GB HDD. Sorry but the model number escapes me at the moment.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[FulciLives]

For This pioneer what are the best dvd disc to use.I dont want to buy a bunch then find they dont work on it.

I've been using Maxell 2x DVD-RW discs that I have bought at WALMART. They seem to work fine. I then import to my computer and re-author with TMPGEnc DVD Author.

For DVD-R discs I would use Taiyo Yuden only which can be bought at a very decent price from RIMA.COM

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
So far I have only used the 8x Taiyo Yuden DVD-R discs but 16x are out now but while the 8x discs are still available I would stick with those.

[trhouse]

The 533H manual on page 100 has a list of media that has been tested as compatible.