Quantcast
Subscribe to magazine

A DVR That Does More

Pioneer's DVD recorder offers personal video recorder functions.

Dave Hamilton

  • 0 Yes
  • 0 No

Pioneer DVR-320-S DVD Recorder

If you're looking to progress beyond a VCR, the Pioneer DVR-320-S is a solid choice.

Click here to view full-size image.

Photograph: Marc Simon
This DVD recorder supports DVD-Video, DVD-R/W, CD, VCD, CD-R/W, MP3, WMA, and JPEG playback. It also incorporates some talents from the realm of digital video recorders. Chase Play mode lets you start watching a show that's already being recorded--so the end of CSI doesn't get ruined when you arrive home at 9:45. You can also watch a previously recorded program while recording another show, if the disc has room for the new program.

Scheduling was a cinch. I was able to schedule up to 32 programs at a time, a month in advance. Auto Record mode, which records at the highest quality that will fit on a disc, is especially convenient.

Other attractive features let you copy movies direct from a DV camera and edit recordings--terrific for removing annoying commercials.

All great, but why spend $350 on this type of device? If you use TiVo, a DVD recorder is extraneous. That leaves people who want to record at higher quality than a VCR permits, archive shows or home movies, or watch recorded videos on another DVD player or a laptop. If that's you, the DVR-320-S is a good choice.

DVD Recorder

Pioneer DVR-320-S
Rated 4 stars
DW verdict: A solid DVD recorder with some of the features of a digital video recorder.
Price when reviewed: $350
Current prices (if available)

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No

Print 65% more pages than with refilled inks. Trust Original HP Inks. Hit Print Reliably.

Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store

  • APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
  • APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.

People who read this also read:

  • 2007 Microsoft Office Suites Comparison This paper compares and contrasts four suites of the 2007 Microsoft Office system: Microsoft Office Standard 2007, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 and Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007. This paper is intended to help organizations understand the applications and capabilities offered, and to identify the suite that best fits their needs.
  • Windows Vista Migration: The Business Proposition It's not so much a matter of "if" but "when" for most organizations regarding migration to Windows Vista. Laying the groundwork now for this migration can yield higher ROI than waiting until later. This Computerworld Technology Briefing explains it all.

PC World's Marketplace