Presidian PDR-3222 Entry-Level DVD Recorder - Product Review

There were several things I liked about the Presidian PDR-3222:

1. Multi-format DVD-R/-R/+R/+RW recording gives user recording flexibility. Recorded discs on this unit played back successfully on DVD players used for comparison, except for occasional skipping on the older Pioneer DV-341. By the same token, DVDs recorded in other formats (mostly DVD-R and +RW discs) on DVD recorders used for comparison played back on the 3222.

2. Analog and DV video input connections add dubbing flexibility.

3. Progressive Scan Video output capability.

4. NTSC/PAL compatibility and region code unlock with remote hack. Playback of both NTSC/PAL discs from various regions was successful.

5. The 3222 is very compact, about half the size of a typical DVD Recorder. This unit can be installed without taking up a lot of space.

What I Didn't Like About The Presidian PDR-3222

Several things that could be improved included:

1. The 3222 has no S-Video inputs or outputs. This limits the maximum benefit access the best video quality when recording from Hi8 camcorders and S-VHS VCRs that have S-Video connections. The lack of S-Video outputs limits the quality of the video that can be displayed on many pre-HDTVs that feature S-Video input connections.

2. The DV input does not yield as good a result as the composite inputs. Dubs made onto DVD from a Panasonic PV-GS35 mini-DV camcorder, using the 3222's DV input, exhibited motion lag artifacts, but looked satisfactory when using composite video connections.

3. The 3222, although able to play back standard commercial Dolby Digital encoded DVDs, is not capable of playing back DVDs with DTS-only soundtracks or DTS soundtracks on DVDs containing both a Dolby Digital and DTS playback option. For home theater enthusiasts that prefer the audio characteristics of DTS or over Dolby Digital, when available, this is a major drawback if using the 3222 as a principle playback DVD player, in addition to its use as a DVD recorder.

4. No Front Panel LED Display. In other words, you must access the on-screen display menus to set-up and see the status of the DVD recording and playback functions. Unlike many DVD recorders (and even VCRs), there is no time, channel, or other status display on the front panel of the 322. There are only red, green, and yellow indicator lights.

5. Although the 3222 does provide a digital coaxial audio output, it would have been nice to also include a digital optical output for those cases where a such a connection is the only one available on an AV receiver.

Final Take

The Presidian PDR-3222 is an interesting DVD Recorder.

The following are several key points of interest:

1. True to its claim, the 3222 can record in DVD-R/-RW/+R and +RW formats. The Record setup menus are easy to use.

2. The analog video inputs give better results that the iLink/DV/Firewire input. There seems to be a motion lag artifact with using the DV input. However, recording quality is just average, when compared to the other DVD recorders used for comparison.

3. Unlike most DVD recorders, the 3222 has no S-video inputs, only composite inputs are available.

4. Digital Coaxial audio output is provided, but no digital Optical output

5. Progressive Scan is adequate. According to the Silicon Optix HQV Test Disc, it passes the 480p resolution test, but does not do as well on factors, such as jaggie removal, moire elimination, and video noise reduction.

6.The 3222 is not DTS compatible. It can play any DVDs with Dolby Digital, but If you try to access a DTS disc soundtrack, all you get is silence.

7. Music CDs sound OK. However, there is a slight noise in the background as the CD advances to the next track.

8. This unit appears to made by LiteON and looks very similar to their model 1105C, minus Divx playback capability.

Also, one other tip: This unit has a built-in NTSC/PAL converter, and with a region code hack, It is possible to access the Region Code menu and make it Region Code Free as well. As a result, PAL and NTSC DVDs from different DVD regions can play with no problem once the hack is activated.

The Presidian PDR-3222 is not an exceptional performer, but provides adequate features and flexibility for its approximately $100 price tag.

If you are looking for a DVD recorder that is up to home theater performance, the 3222 is not necessarily a good choice.

However, if you are looking for a very basic unit to get started in DVD recording that can record in the four major DVD recording formats, and can be made region code free, the Presidian PDR-3222 is definitely a good unit to fool around with.

I give the Presidian PDR-3222 3 Stars out of 5.