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

DVD recorders have come down in price and matured in performance. One DVD Recorder leader is Pioneer. Starting with a foundation in Laserdisc, and jumping into both DVD playback/recording technology early, Pioneer has had extensive experience with optical disc video formats. The DVR-233-S, Pioneer's entry-level DVD Recorder, carries on this tradition as a reasonably priced unit that provides performance and flexibility for those entering the world of DVD recording.

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.

2: Programs can be recorded via manual settings or by using VCR+. The 233 also features auto-clock setup.

3: This unit not only performs very well as a DVD recorder, but is very good in its capabilities as a standard DVD and CD player. Dolby Digital and DTS pass through was excellent, as well as the standard and progressive scan component video output. The 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 had no difficulty playing recorded DVDs made on other DVD recorders; DVD-Rs made on a Sony RDR-HX900 and several PC-DVD drives played without difficulty, as did DVD+RW discs made on a Philips DVDR985 DVD recorder. Once exception: DVD+RW discs made on a 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.

5:Overall, with its reasonable price and basic features, DVR-233 is a worthy of consideration for novice users. However, those looking for more editing flexibility and other advanced features 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.