Group test: Budget DVD recorders

Overview Price: £130 More info: Goodmans Size (WxDxH): 800x420x360mm Weight: 3.2kg Playable formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD, CD, CD-R, JPEG Recording formats: DVD+R, DVD+RW Integrated tuner: Digital Video connections: Composite, S-Video. 2x Scart (1 RGB) Audio connections: phono, optical digital Progressive scan: Yes Goodmans GDVD305DVBT Goodmans may be recognised as a budget brand with few frills but by spending less you can sometimes get more than you bargained for. While most budget DVD recorders only feature an integrated analogue TV tuner, the GDVD205DVBT is one of the few cut price models equipped with a digital Freeview tuner. Not only does this give you a greater choice of channels but it also eases recordings using the accompanying seven-day electronic programme guide (EPG). All you need to do is highlight a desired programme from the list and leave the rest to technology - it couldn't be simpler. However, sacrifices had to be made somewhere and it's compatibility and connectivity that have been subsequently compromised. You can only use +R and +RW disc formats for recording, which are slightly more expensive and can be difficult to find but do offer easier editing functions. And decent quality connections are limited to a pair of Scart terminals with component video outputs ignored altogether - so there's no progressive scan playback. Build quality is reasonable but the design appears unattractive and overweight compared to its slimline rivals - while the lightweight remote feels economical and is a touch temperamental. Nonetheless, thanks largely to the digital EPG, the recorder is easy to use with a typical choice of recording modes that trade image quality for time length. And instant recordings are initiated a lot quicker than most recorders. Digital broadcasts provide a bright and colourful master copy for recordings to clone but there's a surprising amount of instability including shimmering backgrounds and occasionally staggered movement. Using high quality modes produces accurate enough recordings but images significantly deteriorate with the two lowest quality modes, which are best left ignored. Playback performance is more acceptable than exceptional with poor edge definition and detail, especially in dark scenes, separating it from the big name brands.

Verdict Plus points Integrated digital tuner; ease of use; accurate recordings using high quality modes Minus points Cumbersome design; no component outputs; image instability

Overview Price: £140 More info: LG Size (WxHxD): 508x145x370mm Weight: 3.2kg Playable formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, MP3, JPEG, WMA, DiVX Recording formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW Integrated tuner: Analogue Video connections: Composite, S-Video. Scart (2x RGB), component, DV input Audio connections: phono, optical digital, coaxial digital Progressive scan: Yes LG DR 175 As far as entry-level recorders go, LG's DR 175 holds a full deck of requirements - affordable, user-friendly and functional - and it holds an ace up its sleeve in terms of connectivity. The understated design is solidly constructed and the attractive matt-black finish appears more elegant than the conventional silver styling used elsewhere. There's a full range of connections including component outputs supporting progressive scan and a pair of Scart terminals. Unlike its rivals, the Scart input can be set to record RGB signals so recordings from external sources will not be compromised in quality. It's a commendable feature as with only an integrated analogue tuner you'll eventually want to connect a digital set top box. And digital camcorder enthusiasts will also be pleased to find a DV input for dubbing high-quality footage. Disc compatibility covers all standard recording formats except DVD-RAM and playback options are equally extensive - it's also the only recorder here that will accept DiVX encoded discs. Set up is a cinch using graphical and well presented menus with an effective remote that features several short cut keys to save you time. There is the usual choice of four quality modes offering you between one and six hours of recordings on a standard 4.7GB disc with the SP mode (two hours) recommended for most uses. Picture reception is decent if occasionally noisy and recording quality is on a par with the best devices at this price. Accurate edge definition and colour reproduction is retained admirably using all but the lowest quality mode. Playback performance can't quite match Panasonic's DMR-ES15 for detail and black depth but it's more than capable.

Verdict Plus points Solid design; RGB Scart input; DiVX playback; enviable all round performance Minus points Black levels could be deeper

Overview Price: £150 More info: Panasonic Size (WxHxD): 430x58x316mm Weight: 3.2kg Playable formats: DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW (DL), DVD+R, DVD+RW (DL), DVD, DVD-A, CD, VCD, CD-R, CD-RW, SVCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW (DL), DVD+R, DVD+RW (DL) Integrated tuner: Analogue Video connections: Composite, S-Video. 2x Scart (1 RGB), Component Audio connections: phono, optical digital Progressive scan: Yes Panasonic DMR-ES15 Panasonic is the daddy of DVD recorders and, even at the ultra competitive entry-level, its DMR-ES15 can claim superior specification and performance over any of its rivals. For starters, it's the only truly universal budget recorder with compatibility for all recording formats - even including the latest dual layer discs, which basically double the recording time available. This versatility means you can select the best format according to your needs: DVD-RAM for edited and time slip recordings, DVD -/+ RW for temporary or portable recordings and DVD -/+ R for permanent copies. And playback compatibility is equally impressive with even DVD-Audio discs accepted - although output is restricted to two channels only. Like most players at this price there is only an integrated analogue TV tuner. You can connect a separate Freeview tuner but typically the Scart input is not RGB-enabled so the quality of digital TV recordings suffers slightly. Otherwise, connectivity is complete with both RGB Scart and progressive scan supporting component options. And there's also a DV input offering a high-quality connection for digital camcorders. The design appears ordinary but build quality is admirable for the price and the angled arrangement of the front panel and spacious remote mean it's incredibly easy to use. As usual, there are four recording quality modes with an additional FR mode that automatically selects the highest quality according to your remaining disc space. And the intelligently presented Disc Navigator menu uses thumbnails to instantly recognise recordings and employ a variety of post editing features without fuss. Images from the analogue tuner are impressively stable with decent detail and naturally balanced colours. And recordings, using the two highest quality modes, are virtually indistinguishable from the original. Edges begin to fray and colours appear muted using lower quality modes but there's less deterioration than you may expect. And DVD playback can also be considered class leading for the price.

Verdict Plus points Universal compatibility; DV input for camcorders; user-friendly functionality; class leading performance Minus points Ordinary design; no RGB Scart input

Overview Price: £150 More info: Toshiba Size (WxHxD): 435x66x244mm Weight: 2.4kg Playable formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD, CD, VCD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, MP3, JPEG Recording formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW Integrated tuner: Analogue Video connections: Composite, S-Video. Scart (1 RGB), component Audio connections: phono, coaxial digital Progressive scan: Yes Toshiba D-R160 Toshiba's D-R160 is a no frills recorder that offers excellent usability but its average specification means you can get more for your money nowadays. The two-tone unit is attractively styled but the lightweight build quality is a little rough around the edges and the ugly remote is cheap and uncomfortable - while the technical specification is equally ordinary. Recording disc compatibility is restricted to -R and -RW formats only, which leaves it less versatile than most of the units here - although using -RW discs in the VR mode does allow some time slip functions such as chasing playback and simultaneous recording and playback, which is a feature usually reserved for DVD-RAM discs. Like most budget recorders, connectivity is slighted by the absence of an RGB-enabled Scart input - so recordings from external sources like a Freeview tuner or VCR will be inferior to the original. There are progressive scan capable component outputs and a digital audio output for surround set-ups but extra curricular connections like a DV input are sadly ignored. However, the system is incredibly easy to use with a clear icon-based menu system and full range of uncomplicated playback, recording and post editing features. And there's a greater choice of recording quality modes than you'll find from its rival recorders, which allow you to cram up to ten hours of questionable quality copies onto a standard disc. In practice, the quality conscious should ignore any of the three lowest quality modes as images are plagued with poor detail, blurred colours and constant noise. High quality modes fare far better with accurate copies from the recorder's average analogue tuner and only a slight loss of detail as you move down the top three modes. And DVD playback is up there with Panasonic for the price.

Verdict Plus points Stylish design; ease of use; excellent playback performance for the price Minus points Limited compatibility; average connectivity; ordinary recording performance

Final verdict Well, if it wasn't already apparent from the ratings, Panasonic's DMR-ES15 is our budget DVD recorder of choice. It's simply because no other recorder can offer the same picture quality accompanied by user-friendly functionality and an impressive specification. We would still like to see an RGB-enabled Scart input but compromises are commonplace at this price. LG's DR 175 does offer superior connectivity, especially if you intend recording external sources, and comes a close second but there's fewer functions and picture quality lacks that extra edge. And, while there's nothing particularly wrong with the Toshiba D-R160's performance its average specification means your money will stretch further elsewhere. If you want the convenience of an integrated Freeview tuner then Goodman's is an affordable alternative but both recording and playback quality are questionable.

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