• Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Review
• LG Electronics Flatron L1980Q LCD Review
• LITEON LVC-9006 DVD and VHS Recorder Review

LITEON LVC-9006 DVD and VHS Recorder Review

Not too long ago we reviewed the LITEON LVW-5045 DVD Recorder. Today we take a look at the LVC-9006. It is a DVD/VHS combo recorder. This unit comes with very similar features as the LVW-5045 but with one main difference. Instead of the 160 GB harddrive you have a VHS player. With similar features does the LVC-9006 match up in performance with the LVW-5045? Let's find out.

Company:

LITEON, www.liteonamericas.com

Price:

$235.99 US at NewEgg.com.

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Pros:

• DV Link (IEEE 1394) connection
• Very simple and intuitive menus and user interface
• Nice remote layout

Cons:

• No MPEG-4 support
• Not a lot of editing options

Getting Started

Setting up the LVC-9006 is as easy as the other LiteOn recorder. All the needed cables and equipment are included in the box. I really liked the remote with this unit. The buttons are larger and spaced more. This really makes using it easier. With both the VHS and the DVD recorder I was anxious to try this unit out.

Click on picture to enlarge image

Usability

As with the LVW-5045, the LVC-9006 is not the most amazing looking set top device but again with this unit the look is simple and clean. The DVD player/recorder worked exactly the same as the other set top device from LiteOn which we expected. Because the VHS is new for LiteOn, I paid extra attention to this part of the device. With a plethora of old VHS tapes it was easy to test it out. One of the first things I noticed was the opening for the tapes was rather tight. With most VHS players there is plenty of space and guides to help when inserting the tape. But with the LVC-9006 this opening was not very forgiving. This meant you had to have the tape at exactly the right angle to insert it. Curious as to the real effect this would have on users, I had my 5 and 7 year old boys and my wife give it a try. With each of them they initially had trouble getting a tape inserted into the player. After several tries though each pretty much adapted to the new machine and inserting tapes.

As we mentioned, this unit is packed with features. The VHS-to-DVD dub quality in one- and two-hour modes was simple to use and produced decent quality DVDs. Video editing options are lacking. But if you just want to convert and preserve you old VHS movies and home videos to DVD this unit is simple to use.

The menus and usage of the LVC-9006 is very similar to that of the LVW-5045. To keep down on repetition we will not list those again. You can see the screen shots here

Specifications and Features

Some of the main features of the recorder are:

• AllWrite Technology
  This new technology allows users to record to DVD -/+R, DVD +/-RW and CD-R/RW. There is no longer confusion to what type of media your recorder can write to. Now all formats work.
• 2-Way Copy
  One-touch copy, you can backup VHS to DVD disc or DVD to VHS.
• VCR Plus+
  VCR Plus+ is an instant recording system that gives users a simple way to record television programs in DVD records. With VCR Plus+, users can instantly record or schedule recording of television shows simply by entering a special PlusCode number into their VCR Plus+ equipment.
• "Easy Guider” On Screen Menu
  Press the “Guider” button on the remote control and move the cursor to the desired operation - Playback discs, Record content, finalize the DVD+R or DVD-R disc for playback in other DVD player, Erase the contents of the current disc. Nothing else comes close.
• DV Link (IEEE 1394) Input Connection
  DV Link (IEEE 1394) preserves the content in its original digital quality Vibrant video colors and pulsating audio sounds are carried through the DV Link connection.
• VHS recording
  You can watch your home video tape and copy to DVD disc.

Specifications

Adding It All Up

Once again LiteOn has packed a lot of features into a set top device. The LVC-9006 is great for a beginner or someone with a large VHS collection. At a relatively low price you get a wide variety of recording and playback options. Although we found the VHS player to be the weakest part of this unit, it is still a decent product for the price and LiteOn has done a great job creating a set top recorder that is simple to use.

Discuss this in our Forum

Need to search for a different product or additional info?

	Web www.upgradeadvisor.com