Speaking of cheap DVD recorders, more or less famous manufacturers have widened their offer over the last few months.
In spite of the format-compatibility problems, the DVD recorder seems prepared to replace the Grandpa-VCR. More than this, manufacturers loaded it with features that no VCR could dream of.
As you would guess, there’s one bottom line: its price. And DVD recorders prices are falling at a quite amazing speed. Two years ago you couldn’t have this new electronics piece in your living room for less than $1.700. Today, a decent DVD recorder costs merely $300. At the same time, high-end products continue to sell for more than $700-$800. The Japanese can already enjoy their Sony DVD recordings on their Sony HDTV, but only for the exorbitant sum of $3.000.
Cheap and Famous
If you care about brand names, you can find cheap DVD recorders at big companies like Philips, Panasonic, Lite-On, Toshiba, Sharp, Samsung, LG and RCA.
Panasonic’s DMR-E55S for example, offers the versatility and TiVo-like functions of the DVD-RAM format. But it won’t provide that user-friendliness of a TiVo box. DVD-RAM is the format that offers the worst compatibility and usually it is backed-up by DVD-R. In return, both DVD-R and DVD-RW are more rigid formats when it comes to editing, and need to be finalized before playing. You can find this product available from $200 to $350.
Panasonic’s entry-level machines offer very similar features: DMR-E50S and DMR-E50K for example are the same deck with different colours. The “S” comes from silver while the “K” is black. They all produce better recording quality than VCRs, and add some advanced functions, such as a flexible recording mode, progressive scan output or VCR Plus+ timer programming. They are available at $200, but prices can go higher with retailers.
If you decide to buy the entry-level DVD recorder from Philips (DVDR615), you still have to spend an extra $100. The upside is the FireWire input, that allows you to transfer recordings from your camcorder to DVD support. The downside with this unit is user-friendliness. The confusing menus and poorly designed remote control make it a bad choice for a beginner.
The LVW-5001 and LVW-5005 from Lite-On are even cheaper than the previous, ranging from $175 to nearly $300. They both record only DVD+R/RW media. The Lite-On LVW-5001 is sold as Gateway AR-230, with minor design differences.
RCA DRC8000N DVD Recorder/DVD Player adds Guide Plus Programming, but you have to make sure that it works with your cable system. Another con may be the DVD-recording format, DVD+R/RW. For more convenience RCA added two IR blasters, one to control the cable box and another one for the satellite box. But the bad news is that this model is not compatible with satellite systems. For its price — $200 to $450 — RCA DRC8000N is a very good choice.
Toshiba’s DV-R2 puts an IR blaster and FireWire input on the same deck for only $250-$350.
Very Affordable but Very Anonymous
The multi-region DVD recorders from Ellion like DVR 515A or DVR 900A seem to provide more features than any of their big-name competitors in the start-up line, and the price is unbeatable (a bit over $300). DVR 515A records DVD±R/RW and includes a FireWire input. Some users complain they need to upgrade the firmware (upgrades available at the company’s website), but otherwise describe it as a reliable unit. This Koreean manufacturer is currently present on the UK market and plans to go overseas in the near future.