|
Introduction
Lite-On impressed us here at NextGen Electronics with their
LVW-5001 unit which was the first DVD player that could actually burn
television (and other inputs) onto a DVD-R. It held up well to our play
tests and won an Editor's Choice Award for excellence in quality.
 This
time around, we're seeing the next model up in the line, the LVW-5005
model which has the ability to burn onto any kind of disc, such as DVD
+R/RW, DVD- R/RW or CD-R/RW. It is also equipped with the MCTF video noise
reduction circuit to improve recording quality and 480p progressive scan
delivers razor sharp video images.
It is also a DVD Dual Recorder, programmable Timer Recording
and Recording Mode, easy track Navigator and DV Link ( IEEE 1394 mini)
to link DV Camcorder. This has an optional DVI+HDCP output. The Progressive
scan is 480p with Multi Language OSD.
show me the features
The specifications and highlights of the device ...
Formats Supported: DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW,
DVD-ROM, CD-R/RW, CD-ROM
Resolution: 720x720
Audio Performance: DA Converter: 24-bit/192KHZ AD Converter:
24-bit Signal-Noise
Video Outputs: DA Converter: 10-bit/54MHz
Dimensions: 16.54"wx2.6"x10.6"
Weight: 6.35 lbs
Performance
The DVD player installed
with a tremendous amount of ease. Simply plug in the appropriate plugs
that you wish the input and output from the player and you're ready to
roll. Note that you have to "boot" the DVD player the first
time you get it using the standard yellow analog plug, but inside the
menu you can set it to S-Video or Composite (480p). After that you are
rolling into DVD bliss.
The recording quality was extremely impressive with very
little quality loss on the video side, and no loss of quality on the end
of sound. There are various DVD recording modes (SP, LP, etc) that determine
the amount of time you can record onto the DVD (the more time, the more
the picture degrades). The player can be used much like VCRs were, where
you can program a number of various recording functions for the player
to activate into. So lets say you wanted to record The Simpons at 6pm
(done), then have it record some primetime show for 1 hour at 9pm on a
different channel (done at the same time). The Lite-On LVW-5005's robust
menu functions allow users to very creatively control the player/recorder.
Finally you can once again miss your shows to do some fun things in life,
and come back to the shows whenever you want.
The DVD playback is very pretty - it's highly recommended
for ANY DVD player really to use the S-Video cable, and if possible the
progressive 480p ... there's a serious difference in quality output.
Value and Usefulness
For $399 you are getting the most advanced DVD player on the market today
- rivaled only by a product from one competitor that retails the same
product for nearly $700. To get the same product that offers the very
same features - recording in any DVD format, as well as on CD, is a tremendous
feature.
If you are looking for the tops in DVD player/recorder technology
for your home theater, it's a good buy if you WANT the DVD recording feature.
The usefulness of the product is tremendous - everyone is watching DVDs
these days, and the ability to record television - or even from another
source such as directly from your camcorder's iLink cable or from one
of the inputs - is a great feature that will soon become standard on DVD
players.
Overall Impressions
The Lite-On LVW-5005 player is a fantastic addition or (most likely) a
replacement for your existing DVD player solution in your home theater.
For the high-end home theater enthusiast this is the perfect player to
add into the system, and for those of you still lugging around the old
VCR so you can tape your shows ... well, it's time to enter into the 21st
century. Start recording on what are now affordable DVD-R or DVD+R ...
or if you just want to record songs you can burn as a CD!
The performance of the LVW-5005 was absolutely, without
a shadow of a doubt, top-notch. The unit plays back DVDs with the crispness
and brightness you demand, and the features of recordability and programmability
will undoubtedly make your life a better place to live.
The value of this product is well above the given MSRP of
$399 (which can be found cheaper by shopping around). It's easy to see
how the "big competitor" would charge $700 for this unit ...
and it's amazing that the Lite-On model would work just as well for almost
half the cost - products just don't get that level of value these days.
The coolness factor of the product is very, very high -
you'll receive all sorts of "oohs" and "ahhs" from
your friends who have no idea you can even do something like this at all.
This is cutting edge technology at its best. The usefulness is plainly
obvious, and this DVD player should last you for years on end.
Overall, this is a fantastic product and a great flagship
DVD player/recorder from Lite-On. All serious home enthusiasts would be
very wise to invest in this innovative product.
 |
|
10 / 10 |
OVERALL SCORE
98%
|
 |
10 / 10 |
 |
10 / 10 |
 |
9 / 10 |
 |
10 / 10 |
 |
9.8 / 10 |
|
|
|
)
)
)
