Lite-On LVW-5006 Dual Format Multi Region capable DVD Recorder DVD+ / - R/RW

Performance: I see no problems with its performance to date. Recording quality is satisfactory to me. Even on SLP (the longest setting) the quality is fine. About as good/bad as LP on a brand new VHS tape. Tolerable in my view, given the time extension SLP gives you. Used SLP to tape the grand prix- no jittery bits or the likes. Just fine! Set up for the unit is clear-ish and computer software based. All logical really- once you get into a computer logic brain mode. Lite On do computer hardware first and foremost, so that's where the set up menu basis comes from.

Using the recorded disc on another machine (a better quality stand alone player, and a combi TV/DVD unit), there were no problems. Chuffed to bits there then.

Playing a bought DVD (Gladiator) on the Lite On and there are a few wobbly moments on fast moving scenes and on the opening titles. I didn't buy the Lite On as the main player. I'll keep my player only Denon model for that.

Quality of the machine itself: A bit on the delicate side, where build quality is concerned. A bit wary of letting the kids near it. The disc tray seems to be particularly weak. Keep the machine out of their reach and you should be OK.
Reliability seems to be an issue on other reviews. Will have to wait and see on that one. I don't expect the machine to last for too long (4 years max), but you get what you pay for. I've bought more expensive dvd players in my time, expecting long term durability, but the units have failed earlier than expected. In my view, there is some benefit in getting a cheapish unit to last 3-4 years (hopefully) than to get a leading brand unit at £100+ more, for it to last 3-5 years. The quality of the picture etc does not vary that much between such units to justify the extra outlay and life expectancy of the units.

The TV tuner, which IS IN STEREO, is not of the best quality, but is reasonable. Picture a bit grainy sometimes. If you can feed a better tuner through the unit then fine, but otherwise the picture is OK, for the price. Perhaps Lite On will improve the tuner in due course. Is a software upgrade possible for the tuner?

Overall, I'm happy with the unit- so far.

negative points first:
its not sexy
it only has 1 scart in

HOWEVER
it has loads of other connections which more than makes up for this.

I found the machine very easy to use, and I've so far managed to make an audio cd from a live dvd (fantastic option for people like me!), burned old vhs stuff to dvd - again easy and recorded from tv - this function I like, tv tuner set up was easy, timer setting was easy, and the fact that when the recording was finished and finalised it played on both my pioneer and 25 quid alba was a HUGE plus!

I haven't updated the firmware yet, I don't know whether to - why fix what isn't broken?

I've used TDK DVD-RW's, Panasonic and Datawrite dvd-r's and bush cd-r's so far with no problem. The Easy Guider facility is a massive plus - really easy to record anything - now buy it!

Setting up the channels with the auto-scan feature was a complete pain. It insisted in putting the terrestrial channels on random numbers between 60 to 74, rather than 1 to 4. This had to be sorted out with the confusing and laborious channel moving feature.

Auto scan apart, this is an excellent piece of kit which seems to do excatly what it says on the box. I have tested the quality on all of the recording modes, and even on the lowest 6 hour setting results are quite acceptable. I doubt if most users will be able to spot the recording from the original. Setting up the recorder to see the Sky box was a piece of cake, and it is easy to transfer programmes from Sky+ to a disc.

Using the extra information on the Amazon site it was easy to convert the unit to be "Region free", although why this isn't mentioned in the user guide is a mystery.

I find it hard to see how it would be possible to get a better made or more versatile DVD recorder at this price, and I heartily recommend it to anyone thinking of buying one.