Basic DVD Recorders

Best choices for value and performance

Basic DVD recorders are the least expensive -- and the least versatile -- DVD recorders you can buy. These recorders are thin on features, often lacking elements like an IR blaster, which is helpful for timed satellite or cable TV recording (though many cable and satellite TV boxes now have their own timers). Editing is limited and often difficult, with capabilities largely dictated by the DVD format used (see our What to Look For section). Some units lack built-in tuners, and while those DVD recorders are fine for use with cable TV or satellite TV boxes, they are a poor choice for those that get all or even some of their programming the old-fashioned way, off of the air via an antenna.

Among current basic DVD recorders, the Toshiba DR430 (*Est. $120) gets some recognition from experts but much more from owners. About.com's Robert Silva chooses the DR430 as one of his picks among DVD recorders, citing the features for the price as its number-one strength. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.) You won't find a digital tuner or wide compatibility with different file types (neither Windows Media nor DivX video files are supported), but desirable extras such as chasing playback, time slip and commercial skip are present.

User reviews are fairly complimentary of the Toshiba DR430 -- certainly much more so than for other basic DVD recorders of its type and in its price range -- though not everyone is pleased. Complaints are typical for DVD recorders -- especially ones that lack their own tuners -- and include confusion about DVD formats and challenges in translating the manual into instructions that can easily be followed. Still, more DR430 users are happy, with value, ease of use (for the category) and overall performance praised.

The step-up Toshiba DR570 (*Est. $160) DVD recorder is very similar to the Toshiba DR430 except that it adds a QAM-compatible digital tuner. That means it can receive over-the-air digital TV channels as well as unscrambled channels from most cable TV providers without an external tuner or cable box. File support -- including DivX -- is a little broader. About.com rates the DR570 a bit higher than the DR430 on its list of top DVD recorders. User reviews are again mostly favorable. A significant number say they've had some reliability issues and freeze-ups, but most have not experienced any difficulties at all. Happy owners say that the DVD recorder performs as advertised and is a great value.