DVD Recorders as dedicated Players

[RichardM]

I have been keeping an eye on the DVD recorder market for a couple of years and have always thought that as good as they are a dedicated player would always be first choice for DVD playback.

Now my player for the last 4-5 years seems to be on it's last legs and I am wondering if the more recent recorders have improved enough that I can get away with just the one machine?

My current machine is a pioneer 535 and my TV is a 32in widescreen though I expect it to be upgraded to a Plasma before too long (like tonight when I win the lottery), ok so the player is not cutting edge but it's been a good servant, how does the new generation of recorders compare for PQ.

If you're still awake after reading this you views are welcome.

Cheers

 

[ROYOLD]

This query comes up quite often and the opinion was usually that if you need all the fancy functions then you have to use a dedicated PLAYER. The recorders only have the basic functions for playback. Most do not have a zoom facility for a start (or if they do then its a limited choice).

So - if you need the best playback and sound from a commercial dvd disc then use a dvd player.

 

[jameslindsey]

The advice I would offer would depend on budget.

If you spend £300 on a dedicated player as well as more functions, its going to give better picture quality than a similarly or even slightly higher priced recorder.

Given your situation if the Pioneer (535 is a good machine) still works, I'd hold off on a dedicated player and plump for a reasonable spec recorder. HD / blueray etc are all coming along and coming down in price and it would probably make sense to hold off on an expensive dedicated player until you get your telly so that you can make a good match.

 

[undertest]

I have been keeping an eye on the DVD recorder market for a couple of years and have always thought that as good as they are a dedicated player would always be first choice for DVD playback.

Now my player for the last 4-5 years seems to be on it's last legs and I am wondering if the more recent recorders have improved enough that I can get away with just the one machine?

My current machine is a pioneer 535 and my TV is a 32in widescreen though I expect it to be upgraded to a Plasma before too long (like tonight when I win the lottery), ok so the player is not cutting edge but it's been a good servant, how does the new generation of recorders compare for PQ.

If you're still awake after reading this you views are welcome.

Cheers

You can spend an awful lot of money on Denon, Nad blah-de-blah etc etc brands and buy a dvd recorder or just a player. Or a lot less on either. Some issues issues hold true regardless...

Whatever you buy is outdated in 6 months max, and probably almost valueless in 2 to 3 years when its features are too old for anyone to care about it. DVD recorders use valuable laser life PLAYING dvds, that laser life is always best used writing discs, no matter how fantastic the features or picture quality is, you are paying a lot more to use a recorder as a player for the convenience than you would be with a separate player. Quality in the digital age is NOT necessarily purchased by throwing more money at a problem. Unless you are talking about hugely heavy, specially stabalised disc drive mechanisms with isolation transformers etc etc that cut out all signal interference and give super pure signals, then the chances are that a cheap dvd player with all the features you are after can and possibly will be as good as, and last as long as a far more expensive unit - read this as the same for a player or a recorder. Most name brands are often made in China now anyway, often in fabrication plants making the no name brand units as well.

For me the features are of first importance. I have a recorder that does all the things I want (Panasonic DMREH60) and a pair of very cheap Mustek players, that ocassionally have a little wobble but are generally very good and have lasted well. Not only that but in all the name brands you could pay 1000's and not get a player with a macrovision off setting (allowing direct dubbing of any dvd) yet more proof it isnt about brand names necessarily. I use the recorder to record only and this will increase its lifespan. Then in a few years if that when they start to fall apart I wont care as I will need to get newer technology anyway. It used to work in the audio system arena - buy the best it will last you a lifetime - and that was fine. But I dont want a dvd recorder or player that will last me a lifetime - it will possibly be of no use to me in 2 or 3 years.

So my 2c/p... Good recorder and cheap player based on good functionality not so much brand.

 

[bradavon78]

It's also worth remembering most/many Recorders now offer progressive playback through Component.

When people say better it's also worth remembering the average person really won't be able to notice it.