WalMart clearing out Pioneer DVR-220 at $140!

[garyjo]

While at a Walmart Superstore (Chicago area) I noticed 6 unopened DVR-220s on the clearance shelves.

[Frobozz]

I wonder where they found them. The 220 was replaced by the 233 a year ago. In my opinion the 220 is a very good DVD recorder and the 233 was one of Pioneer's mistakes.

[Bridge]

Why was the 220 a good machine and the 233 a mistake?

If that's the case then what do you think about (I think it was called) a model 231. I think I seen that in a store not that long ago but passed on it. I don't even know if it's still there anymore . If it is, is that model a mistake model or a good model?

[Frobozz]

The problem I have with the Pioneer 233 is that Pioneer cheapened it in a lot of ways compared with the 220. The 220 has all the capability of a 520 without a hard drive or a DV input. That means it has the 32 manual bit rate settings and the two sets of video inputs on the back. The 233 has only a few bit rate settings - although one of them allows 10 hours of recording per disc - and only one set of inputs. It also looks cheaper in its construction. I don't know if it has Pioneer's wonderful feature of allowing fine tuning of the picture quality.

In my opinion they chopped out some of the 220's quality and capability in order to make the 233 more price competitive. But it still was too expensive compared to other stripped down models on the shelves.

I believe a 231 is the same as a 233 but manufactured for sale by a specific chain of stores (Walmart?). Manufacturers make deals with the major stores to create special model numbers. That way the store won't have to be concerned with price matching that model against what is being sold elsewhere.

[Marvingj]

This was a Great machine 220, I will buy a few so I can resale it in about a year.

[Bridge]

Yeah, I think it was at a Walmart -- the 231. So, the 231 is more like the 233 and not like the 220. Good to know. I was thinking about getting that model but if that model took out MN feature and took out a lot of stuff then that wouldn't be good.

[Midwest Coaster Comp]

Going to tell us WHICH Walmart ?

Or were you planning to buy them all for yourself ?

8)

[garyjo]

Midwest Coaster Comp,
Just got back from being out of town.
I did buy all available 220s.

Decided to give them to family and friends, as gifts.
Hopefully their use of this fine unit will convince them to convert from VCRs.

Should I see another cache of 220s at a local WalMart, I will be happy to PM you.

[jantxn]

I picked up a DVR-531H-s Pioneer (new-in the box) on clearance at a Walmart here in North Texas for $159.00. They had several 220's but they were floor models and it looks like they had been dragged behind a car (or pickup) for serveral miles. I don't think they had remotes either but can't remember for sure.

I haven't fully decided whether I will keep the 531 as I am reading other posts on this and other sites as to the pro's and con's. I am leaning toward keeping it.

[strongbad]

I picked up a DVR-531H-s Pioneer (new-in the box) on clearance at a Walmart here in North Texas for $159.00. They had several 220's but they were floor models and it looks like they had been dragged behind a car (or pickup) for serveral miles. I don't think they had remotes either but can't remember for sure.

I haven't fully decided whether I will keep the 531 as I am reading other posts on this and other sites as to the pro's and con's. I am leaning toward keeping it.

Def. keep it. It is so much better than the new 640 trash that they got out now. Consider the 531, the 220 versus the 233 which is equivalent to the 640. Dumbed down versions.

[trhouse]

I have not seen a DVR-640H yet. What is wrong with it?

[edit] I have been thinking about trading in my 531 for a 640 for the extra disk capacity.

[Frobozz]

Def. keep it. It is so much better than the new 640 trash that they got out now. Consider the 531, the 220 versus the 233 which is equivalent to the 640. Dumbed down versions.

Wow, I'm surprised by that judgement. All that was dropped from the 531 to the 640 is the XP+ recording mode and the TV Guide On Screen system that many users hated. The 640 adds the jukebox and jpeg photo features, and has a larger HDD. Unfortunately it doesn't have the DV input that was present on the 633 (but absent on the 533/531). There are many posts on the AVS DVD recorder forum from recent 640 buyers and it sounds like a winner to me.

[trhouse]

I thought the 533H is the DV input version of the 531. The 640 seems to support a lot more types of media. I cannot confirm dvd+r DL however.

[Frobozz]

I thought the 533H is the DV input version of the 531.

You're probably correct. Thanks for pointing that out.