Six player-priced DVD recorders |
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![]() David Katzmaier, senior editor | Even when tape-based home video was first introduced, the videocassette player was barely a blip on the radar screen compared to the ubiquitous VCR. The DVD format, on the other hand, had been around for years before recorders first appeared. It's taken even more time for set-top recorders to reach price levels where middle-income Americans would consider buying one to replace their VCRs. Well, America, time's up. With spindles of recordable DVDs available for less than 50 cents a disc and entry-level, no-name recorders pushing $100, there's no reason to hold onto that VCR any longer than the time it takes to transfer your tapes to disc. We've chosen a few of the best inexpensive models, including the newest entry-level decks from category leaders Panasonic and Pioneer. More resources
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| Product name |
Lite-On LVW-5005 |
Philips DVDR615 |
RCA DRC8000N |
Panasonic DMR-E55S |
Panasonic DMR-ES10S (silver) |
Pioneer DVR-233-S |
| Review date | July 16, 2004 | October 12, 2004 | November 26, 2003 | September 1, 2004 | April 28, 2005 | June 21, 2005 |
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| Review summary | The Lite-On LVW-5005 provides no-frills DVD recording at an affordable price. | This entry-level DVD recorder offers a FireWire input, but its confusing menus and useless remote will confound beginners. | With its built-in programming guide, the DRC8000N is a fine value for basic recording--as long as it works with your cable system. | Panasonic's least-expensive DVD recorder is a good choice for basic TV and video archiving. | Panasonic's entry-level DMR-ES10 DVD recorder offers excellent recording quality but falls short when it comes to editing features. | While delivering a good user interface and slick design, this entry-level recorder falls a couple features short of the competition. |
| Product series | N/A | N/A | N/A | See all products in this series | See all products in this series | N/A |
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| User comments | 5.3 Average (from 85 users) | 5.6 Average (from 28 users) | 3.5 Poor (from 22 users) | 6.7 Good (from 15 users) | 8.0 Excellent (from 21 users) | Be one of the first to rate this product! |
| Basic Specs | ||||||
| Product Type | DVD recorder | DVD recorder | DVD recorder | DVD recorder | DVD recorder | DVD recorder |
| Weight | 8.8 lbs | 8.8 lbs | Info unavailable | 7.3 lbs | 7.9 lbs | Info unavailable |
| Media Type | DVD+R , CD , Video CD , CD-ROM , CD-RW , DVD-RW , SVCD , CD-R , DVD+RW , DVD-ROM , DVD , DVD-R | DVD+R , CD , Video CD , CD-RW , DVD-RW , SVCD , CD-R , DVD+RW , DVD , DVD-R | DVD+R , CD , Video CD , CD-ROM , CD-RW , DVD-RW , SVCD , CD-R , DVD+RW , DVD-ROM , DVD , DVD-R | CD , Video CD , CD-RW , CD-R , DVD-RAM , DVD-Audio , DVD-R | DVD+R , CD , Video CD , CD-RW , DVD-RW , CD-R , DVD+RW , DVD-RAM , DVD-Audio , DVD-R | CD , Video CD , CD-RW , DVD-RW , CD-R , DVD , DVD-R |
| Recordable Media | DVD+R , DVD+RW , DVD-R | DVD+R , DVD+RW | DVD+R , DVD+RW | DVD-RAM , DVD-R | DVD+R , DVD-RW , DVD-RAM , DVD-R | DVD-RW , DVD-R |
| Media Format | PAL , NTSC | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Video D/A Converter | Info unavailable | 10bit / 54MHz | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | 10bit / 54MHz | 10bit / 54MHz |
| Audio D/A Converter | 24bit / 192kHz | 24bit / 96kHz | Info unavailable | 24bit / 96kHz | 24bit / 192kHz | 24bit / 192kHz |
| Built-in Audio Decoders | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | MPEG | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Sound Output Mode | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| Form Factor | Info unavailable | Tabletop | Tabletop | Info unavailable | Tabletop | Info unavailable |
| Enclosure Color | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Silver | Silver | Info unavailable |
| Remote control type | Remote control | Universal remote control | Universal remote control | Universal remote control | Universal remote control | Remote control |
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| Product name | Lite-On LVW-5005 | Philips DVDR615 | RCA DRC8000N | Panasonic DMR-E55S | Panasonic DMR-ES10S (silver) | Pioneer DVR-233-S |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Price range | Email me when this product is available | Email me when this product is available | Email me when this product is available | Email me when this product is available | Email me when this product is available | Email me when this product is available |