Pioneer DVR-233-S Entry Level DVD Recorder - Product Review

1: Video image quality was very good. At the one and two-hour record modes, I found very little visual difference between the source material and finished recording.

On the other hand, recordings made at the longer time modes exhibiting an increasing amount of artifacts, especially at the EP, SLP, and SEP modes.

2. Programs can be recorded via manual settings or by using VCR+. The 233 also features auto-clock setup if it detects the auto clock signal that is present on PBS stations.

3: This unit not only performs well as a DVD recorder, but performs very well in its role as a standard DVD and CD player.

When pairing the DVR-233-S with the the Optoma H56 DLP video projector using both S-Video and Component-to-DVI connections, the unit performed very well, and was on par with the other comparison DVD players used.

I also connected the DVR-233-S to both a Syntax Olevia LT32HV and Samsung LN-R238W LCD television using progressive scan component inputs. In the 480p progressive scan mode, the 233H was on visually on par with the KISS DP-470, Samsung DVD-HD931, and Philips DVDR985 comparison units.

In addition, when using the S-video and composite connections between the 233-S and the two LCD TVs I found the typical signal degradation from progressive component one would expect, but once again the 233-S performed well in relation to the other comparison DVD players used.

In the audio playback department, Dolby Digital and DTS pass through were excellent. The overall video and audio quality was definitely on par with my comparison units, however, it would have been nice to incorporate an HDMI or DVI output feature.

4: I found that the 233-S had no difficulty playing recorded DVDs made on other DVD recorders; DVD-Rs made on a Sony RDR-HX900, Presidian PDR-3222, and several PC-DVD drives played without difficulty, as did DVD+RW discs made on a Philips DVDR985 DVD recorder. One exception is that DVD+RW discs made on the Presidian DVD recorder did not play on the 233.

On the other hand, DVD-Rs recorded on the Pioneer DVR-233-S played fine on all of the DVD players used as comparison units.

The 233H had five standout features:

1. Performs well as both a DVD recorder and DVD player.

2. Very good progressive scan video output capability.

3. Easy to setup and use.

4. Slimline design makes placement with the rest of your components easy.

5. Detailed, but easy to understand owner's manual.

What I Didn't Like or What Could Be Improved

Here are some things I found lacking in the DVR-233-S:

1. No DVD-R DL (DVD-R Double Layer) Disc Recording capability.

2. No Simultaneous Record/Play in DVD-RW VR Mode.

3. No DV (ilink) input, no S-Video input on front panel.

4. No HDMI or DVI output or video upscaling on playback.

5. No SACD/DVD-Audio Playback Compatibility - Dual Disc Playback not gauranteed.

Overall, with its reasonable price and basic features, DVR-233 functions well as both a DVD recorder and player, and is worthy of consideration for novice users. However, those looking for more editing flexibility and other features that the 233 lacks, such as Simultaneous Record/Play, front panel S-video and DV input capability, and DVD-R DL recording, should consider a higher end unit or a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive combo, such as the Pioneer DVR-533H. I give the Pioneer DVR-233-S DVD recorder 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.