I’m a newbie who recently posted about an LG LRA-516 I bought and since returned. S-video input on front was awkward for me. Thanks to all who responded -- very helpful.
I still want to buy a DVD recorder. My needs are pretty basic. I’ll use the unit to watch DVDs on a television (not high definition), transfer VCR tapes to DVD (infrequently), and record TV shows from my Time Warner DVR cable box.
Main features I’m looking for:
* Good picture quality on playback -- can’t purchase separate player
* Ability to play any format of DVD -- recorded either “+†or “-“
* Record DVDs that can be played by people I give them to on the greatest variety of setups: laptop computer, DVD player to television, MacIntosh desktop computer, etc.
* Hookups from cable box (s-video) and VCR in the back
Beyond those features, nice-to-have’s would be DV-in, and a recorder that can easily make multiple duplicates of a completed DVD. I sometimes makes DVDs using the iDVD application on my MacIntosh, and hope to be able to duplicate copies of them.
From what I’ve seen in this forum, the Pioneer 533H sounds like the machine for me. But I have a few questions.
First, the Pioneer is a -R/RW recorder. Since it’s not dual format (doesn’t include +), would that make for situations in which people to whom I give a DVD I’ve recorded can’t watch it at their end? Can some people’s players only read + format?
Second, I’ve read a lot of consternation about the EPG that comes with the Pioneer. Some users feel it gets in the way, and would prefer never to use it and just manually record. That’s probably the direction I’d take, since I already record shows I want to watch onto my Time Warner DVR. But I’ve read how it’s very difficult to turn off the EPG functionality, and that it gets in the way if you don’t really use it. Also, if I do want to use it, is it compatible with Time Warner DVR cable boxes in New York City?
Thanks for any insights.
I still want to buy a DVD recorder. My needs are pretty basic. I’ll use the unit to watch DVDs on a television (not high definition), transfer VCR tapes to DVD (infrequently), and record TV shows from my Time Warner DVR cable box.
Main features I’m looking for:
* Good picture quality on playback -- can’t purchase separate player
* Ability to play any format of DVD -- recorded either “+†or “-“
* Record DVDs that can be played by people I give them to on the greatest variety of setups: laptop computer, DVD player to television, MacIntosh desktop computer, etc.
* Hookups from cable box (s-video) and VCR in the back
Beyond those features, nice-to-have’s would be DV-in, and a recorder that can easily make multiple duplicates of a completed DVD. I sometimes makes DVDs using the iDVD application on my MacIntosh, and hope to be able to duplicate copies of them.
From what I’ve seen in this forum, the Pioneer 533H sounds like the machine for me. But I have a few questions.
First, the Pioneer is a -R/RW recorder. Since it’s not dual format (doesn’t include +), would that make for situations in which people to whom I give a DVD I’ve recorded can’t watch it at their end? Can some people’s players only read + format?
Second, I’ve read a lot of consternation about the EPG that comes with the Pioneer. Some users feel it gets in the way, and would prefer never to use it and just manually record. That’s probably the direction I’d take, since I already record shows I want to watch onto my Time Warner DVR. But I’ve read how it’s very difficult to turn off the EPG functionality, and that it gets in the way if you don’t really use it. Also, if I do want to use it, is it compatible with Time Warner DVR cable boxes in New York City?
Thanks for any insights.