Can someone recommend a reliable DVD Recorder to replace a Cyberhome 1600?

[tannersarms]

I bought my girlfriend a Cyberhome DVR 1600 for Christmas, and had to take it back a week later as it was just making coaster after coaster when I tried to format a DVD. The replacement one has been doing OK until very recently and it's now either freezing at 98% and saying bad disc when I try formatting, or finalizing but not playing.

Anyways, it's become apparent that the DVD Recorder technology is too important to be buying throwaway brands like Cyberhome, so I wonder if anyone would care to make any recomendations for a decent, reliable recorder to replace this unit.

I have a lot of R2 discs, so something that's easily region hackable would be a bonus. I also just bought an HDTV, so something that can upconvert might be a consideration. I know I'm probably asking for too much here, but if there is an upconverting, region free DVD Recorder I'm sure you guys will know about it!

[EDIT] Thought it might be helpful to add that the DVD Recorder isn't being used for anything other than backing-up stuff from the DirecTV DVR box - I'm not looking to do any VHS back ups or anything like that.

[EDIT 2] I didn't realise how expensive these things got, so I should add I probably don't want to spend more than $250 on the replacement


Thanks

Mark

[FulciLives]

One of the "best buys" around right now would be the Toshiba D-R4 or the D-R5 ... the D-R5 is the replacement model but right now you might still be able to find the D-R4 and at a bargin.

No region free and no up conversion but the quality is most excellent and it seems to be well made.

My comments are based on those comments by Toshiba owners that I have read on here including many image tests (with posted images).

It seems region free DVD recorders are rare other than maybe Lite-On but Lite-On DVD recorders seem to be very spotty when it comes to quality. Actually they have good image and sound but people have had other issues from time to time that makes me shy away from Lite-On. Just too many things can go wrong due to somewhat lackluster build quality.

Up conversion is also pretty rare on DVD recorders right now.

If you want a top notch DVD player (note I said player ... not recorder) that is region free and does PAL to NTSC conversion along with up conversion then I would look at the OPPO DIGITAL OPDV971H which can be bought on-line for around $200 + shipping (it comes with a free DVI-HDMI cable).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Denvers Dawgs]

JVC DR-M100

[tannersarms]

Thanks for your comments John. I will look up the comments on those players in the Recorders review section here. I think the most important feature I'm looking for is reliability - apparently there's nothing more frustrating than spending three hours putting together a three episode workout DVD and having it fail on you (for the third time!)

Thanks also for the recommendation on the upconverting region free player - I think for the moment I will keep a Cyberhome 300S on top of the TV for my region free stuff.

And thanks Denver's Dawgs for the recommendation on the JVC - I am interested in the new JVC DR-M101S I read about on here which apparently upconverts. That is shown as being available in May - does anyone know of a more accurate release date?

Lastly, I've seen a thread somewhere n here bemoaning BB and CCs lack of choice, and apparently some of the best Recorders aren't even offered there (JVCs in particular (and I think Pioneer was the other one)), so I was wondering where the retailer of choice for some of these other units is.

Thanks

Mark

[lordsmurf]

JVC DR-M100S

Can be found for as low as $180 at places like Fry's Electronics (maybe at outpost.com too), no more than $200 at stores online (ecost.com, stores on pricegrabber.com, etc).

BB, Target, Walmart, CompUSA and CC lack choices and tend to only stock mid range or crap quality recorders. Those are "stupid consumer" stores, for the most part. Very little of what they sell is worth a damn, though sometimes you get lucky and they carry something nice, though it's never for that long it seems (3-4 months at best).

An excellent online retailer is B&H Photo and Video (www.bhphotovideo.com). Another is the brick-and-mortar stores Fry's Electronics (and maybe their online store outpost.com). Ultimate Electronics and J&R and Crutchfield sometimes have good items too, but they also never seem to hold them for longer than 3-4 months.

[samijubal]

The D-R4 is far better than JVC.

[troyvcd1]

so what are the differences between the toshiba and the jvc that make one better than the other

[lordsmurf]

so what are the differences between the toshiba and the jvc that make one better than the other

Go search the DVD recorders forum for topics that already cover what each one does differently than the other. Both are good machines, but the JVC will give you cleaner recordings, especially as you approach 4-hour mode recordings.

[trhouse]

The only currently available dvd recorders with HDMI/up conversion I can think of are the Samsung DVD-VR325 combo unit, the Toshiba D-R5 and the Sony RDR-HX715 hdd unit. Refurbished DVD-VR325's are available online for less than $200. Buy.com has the D-R5 for $188. The only disadvantage is that none of these supports DL disks

Announced units are the JVC DR-M101S, Panasonic DMR-ES25, and Panasonic DMR-ES45V combo all of which support dual/double layer or both.

[samijubal]

The Toshiba records far better than the JVC. The picture on the Toshiba is exactly like watching the satellite itself, if there's a difference, I can't see it and I'm VERY picky about my TV picture. The JVC recordings look nothing like the satellite, to me they are unwatchable. I don't know what people here are recording from, but that's the way it is for me.

[lordsmurf]

. The JVC recordings look nothing like the satellite, to me they are unwatchable.

What a load of bullshit.

Then again, you did say "to me" so I guess that would pass. Lord only knows what sort of expectations you have out of a DVD recorder, however.

[samijubal]

The Toshiba rocks, so my expectations aren't that high. The JVC is trash, just because you think it's the best means nothing to me. I don't know what you're recording from or playing back on to think the thing is great. Maybe it's time for glasses. Of the recorders I've used Toshiba, Panasonic, Pioneer, JVC, JVC was definitely the worst.

[lordsmurf]

Toshiba, Pioneer and JVC are easily the 3 best machines. Feel free to put them in any order you choose, but to suggest one of them is "unwatchable" is a foolish over-exaggeration and highly misleading to those that would take such feedback seriously.

[FulciLives]

I have a Pioneer and love it but I have seen many screen shots here from Toshiba and JVC amoung other brands like Sony and Panasonic etc.

I also have some DVD discs that were recorded in a Panasonic and a JVC as well as my own Pioneer. I haven't seen Toshiba other than screen shots here.

I agree with LordSmurf that (pick your order) JVC, Pioneer and Toshiba are the tops right now.

I suggested Toshiba because I know the D4 model was selling very cheaply just recently (probably because retailers were making room for the D5 model).

The JVC is just as nice a machine.

The last batch of Pioneer models were great but only the HDD models ... and all of them are pretty much gone right now ... the next batch is due very soon though.

The JVC does seem to record things a bit "lighter" or "brigher" than the source. There is a definate difference in terms of brightness/contrast ... yet the difference is not that great and most likely can be "adjusted" upon playback. I have a Toshiba VHS VCR that I and a few others feel are SUPER great machines yet they do tend to "pump up" the brightness a bit.

In short I think that samijubal is over-reacting a bit.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[divuer]

My hands-on experience has been only with the current recorders from Panasonic and JVC. IMHO the JVC units are leaps ahead of the Panasonic in both PQ and also in functionality. Just my 2¢.

[tannersarms]

Yeah, I think my gut reaction is to hope the new JVCs do come out in May and get one of those... any further word on a release date?

[tannersarms]

I emailed JVC this morning to ask about the availibility of the new DR-M101S and got this response:

Dear Mark:

Thank you for your recent correspondence. Availability May-June.
Best Regards,
Joe S.
JVC Customer Care Virtuoso


(My message is below)
Model: DR-M101S
Serial: N/A
The Product type is: DVD
The inquiry type is: Other

E-Mail Body: Hi

Can you tell me the latest availability date for the DR-M101S that you
announced in December 2005? I need a new DVD Recorder and was thinking
of getting this model if it is still targeted for a May release. The
press release is here:
http://www.jvc.com/press/index.jsp?item=495&pageID=3&PressKitID=7