Page 1 of PIONEER 540 HX-S DVD RECORDER/FREEVIEW

This machine sounds good with HD, multi Disc operation, built in Freeview, does anyone know if it is multi-region playback?

Looks a really good buy. I`d like to know if it records to the same standard as the Panasonic in the LP mode. This allows high quality recordings onto one DVD for programmes that last 3 to 4 hours, if so it is a great piece of kit.

The more recent Pioneer models also improved the quality at lower recording levels just like the Panasonic range did.
The Pioneer is also fully multiformat as it offers +R/+RW/-RW(VR)/-RW(VIDEO)/-R/RAM for recording and playback.
I know it handles -RDL aswell,but not 100% on +RDL,so the extra quality is there on top of the improved resolution.
Does the latest Panny record to dual layer -R yet?

This item was edited on Tuesday, 1st August 2006, 21:33

I have been looking at the 440 model ( 80GB hard drive & under £300) and the Panasonic myself.

I have a Panasonic DVD recorder at the moment but would proberbly go for the Pioneer as it had Divx playback. HDMI is no good for me as I wont be getting a HD TV for a few years yet.

Reviews have been good for both apart from one saying the DVD playback was not the best on the Pioneer.

Multi-region - you will need to buy one region free as it will be more difficult to get one done later.

I took a plunge and bought one of these machines for my parents Christmas. They`ve been using VHS and the quality seems to get worse and worse. I originally only wanted to spend £200 on the gift, but the added Freeview box means they can watch their existing box while recording digitally off the one in the Pioneer. Plus, the 160Gb hard drive means there isn`t going to be a lot of p***ing about with DVDs... which means less clutter around their TV area, me Mum will like that :D
I was looking at a dearer Panasonic who seem to be the most reliable at making DVD Recorders, but it doesn`t play Divx. And I`ve looked at Pioneer stuff before and they seem to have a great reputation. So it was £270 off Amazon, which seems reasonable.

Can anyone recommend the best type of blank media? I didn`t bother buying any because I have a spare box of 50 DVD-R I can give them, obviously just need to test them first.

To be honest they will very rarely record to DVD. Occasional dub to disc from HDD but that`s about it. 10 of yours will last years..

Ste

That`s good to know.

Cheers :)