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

LITEON LVW-5045 DVD Recorder Review

You have read several reviews here at UpgradeAdvisor.com on LiteOn optical drives. Recently, LiteOn was kind enough to send us a couple of their set top DVD recorders. Today we take a look at the LVW-5045. It is a DVD recorder with a built in 160GB hard drive. Sure you have seen set top DVD recorders. Sure you have seen a set top Hard Drive you can record to and maybe it had a DVD player in it too. But there are very few set top units out there that have both a DVD Recorder and Hard Drive. Does the quality you've become used to in a LiteOn DVD burner for your PC translate into a quality set top DVD Recorder? Let's find out...

Company:

LITEON, www.liteonamericas.com

Price:

$325.00 US at NewEgg.com.

Ratings

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

Pros:

• Large 160GB hard drive gives plenty of good-quality video storage
• Excellent price for all this functionality
• Very simple and intuitive menus and user interface

Cons:

• Small buttons on remote
• No MPEG-4 support
• Recording times were a little slower than I expected on an 8x DVD burner

Getting Started

Being what most would call a typical male, I hooked up this recorder without consulting the user manual. Once hooked up to my TV I also began trying to use the recorder without consulting the user manual. I have to admit, there are many times when using a set top device like a VCR or DVD player where I had to refer to the user manual to figure out some of the functionality. But in the case of this LiteOn LVW-5045 set top DVD recorder, not only was the set up as simple as it can be, but using it was as well. The menus and screens are very user friendly. This makes using the device very practical and simple. Now instead of trying to remember do get ready to record a TV show 20 or 30 minutes ahead of time, I can jump into the Guider and have it running in seconds. Or if I prefer I can schedule it ahead of time. Using this recorder is a dream, whether you are recording a new show, or copying a recording of your favorite show onto a DVD.

Click on picture to enlarge image

Usability

When using a set top device like the LiteOn LVW-5045 DVD recorder, convenience is key. If the unit is hard to set up or use at a moments notice, why have it? As mentioned. The menus and user interface are very simple and intuitive. They quickly let you guide yourself to do what you wish. Listed below are some screen shots of some of these menus.

With the many specification and features, users of all types will be happy with this purchase. The DVD drive supports most disk formats and will burn up to 8x. If you look around on the market, that is pretty quick for a set top box. With a 160 GB hard drive you can record a lot of your favorite shows or even copy recordings directly from your video camera or even to the drive from a DVD. This means you could upload pictures or even MP3 files to the harddrive and use them whenever you want.

As far as the looks, the LVW-5045 is not the most amazing looking set top device. The look is simple and clean though. There were a few times where buttons did not respond on the first push and there have been a few times where the device will seem to freeze and not respond to anything. I tried to play one movie we rented from a video store and actually had to unplug the unit after it froze when loading the disk. Turns out the disk had issues, but the device response (or complete lack thereof) was a little frustrating. The good news is this only happened a few times in testing and the firmware is updatable on this recorder, so little issues like this can and will be worked out with future firmware upgrades from LiteOn.

Screen Shots

Specifications and Features

Some of the main features of the recorder are:

• Video Recording
  The massive 160 GB hard disk drive integrated into the LVW-5045 provides up to 198 hours of recording time, depending on the recording mode/quality that you select. This is the equivalent of approximately 8 days of continuous 24/7 recording allowing you to watch “what you want; when you want”.
• 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.
• Pause Live TV
  The final episode of your favorite program is on the air. Your favorite character is getting ready to provide the most important clue to the series finale. The phone always rings at the most inopportune time. Don’t worry, the LVW-5045 lets you pause any live TV show so you’ll never miss another moment. Simply press the “Time Shift” button; then “Play” to return to the live broadcast at any time.
• One-Touch Dubbing
  With the LVW-5045, you can record your most memorable moments from DV compatible camcorders to the hard disk drive. One Touch Dubbing allows you to easily copy your digital portfolios from the hard disk drive to the DVD, and vice-versa. This is a great way to archive and share those treasured events with family and friends.
• "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.

Record Times

Specifications

Adding It All Up

Packed with features, the Liteon LVW-5045 is a good value. AV performance might not be up with the big-brand-name competitors, but it's not as expensive either. With the simple usability, this recorder makes it easy and fun to record your favorite TV shows or use any of the many functions to fulfill your AV needs. Once again LiteOn has produced a useful product at a great price. Purchasing the LiteOn LVW-5045 DVD Recorder is something you can do in confidence.

Because of the excellent functionality and usability at a decent price, we are awarding the LITEON LVW-5045 DVD Recorder with Hard Drive the UpgradAdvisor.com Recommended Upgrade seal of approval!!!

Discuss this in our Forum

Need to search for a different product or additional info?

	Web www.upgradeadvisor.com