Ronin Media Works, Dvd Player, DVD215F.

April 25, 2008 | By Doug In DVD Recorders |

Ronin Media Works, Dvd Player, DVD215F.
Disc Compatibility: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW File Compatibility: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP3, JPEG, Kodak Picture CD File Display: MP3 playback with on-screen display of directories and filenames JPEG playback with on-screen thumbnail display & slideshow with pan, rotate and zoom Audio Features: 2 channel stereo sound Dolby Digital and DTS SP-DIF digital output Dolby down-mix to stereo Seven preset EQ options Connectivity: SCART out - AV input Composite video output Coaxial digital output for external Dolby Digital and DTS decoders Video Features: 12-bit video decoding PAL/NTSC playback Selectable screen aspect ratio (4:3 & 16:9) Smart video (sharpness, contrast, brightness) Multi angled view Multi language OSD Multilingual dialogue & subtitles Multi speed FF/RW, slow motion Multi level zoom Parental control with password Others: Net dimensions: 300mm (W) x 65mm (H) x 280mm (D) Net weight: 3.2Kg Power supply: 100-240V AC/50-69Hz Power consumption: 25 watt Package contents: DVD player Luminous infra red remote control Power cable (attached) Composite cable Audio cable

Philips DVDR80 DVD Recorder
Digital picture and sound quality with Dolby Digital 5.1 playback
Used Price: ?248.49
Customer Review: Good ideas, poor product design!
I bought the Philips DVDR80 recorder in 2004, from another store, for ?610 (+ insurance) and just after 6 months, it started to fail to read and record DVD discs properly, this was due to a cheap Philips laser reader pickup and under-developed software. It was sent for repair to one of Philips registered repair stores and a new laser was replaced and software updated. I was pleased when I got it back because I loved the features of it: the different recording qualities and flexible recording! Just recently it had became faulty again, and this time it couldn’t record nor did it recognise any disc I put into it, so the DVD recorder was sent back for repair and Philips, with all their qualified repair staff, told me that it was unrepairable and that they are no longer selling that model - this was disappointing, and in a way a waste of money! Philips used to be very good with their products. Nowadays, Philips seem to have very good ideas, but poor and half-baked product designs that are never well thought out, and are quick to release products without testing it first to make a quick buck! Since the company had bad management over the years, their standards and quality controls have gone down. What a shame they are no longer a top brand that anyone can trust!
Customer Review: Very good overall
I’ve had my DVDR80 for a couple of months now and I’ve been very pleased with it, especially after reading the problems many people have had with the 70 and 75. I have to agree that the remote isn’t the best but I’m getting used to it. My two main difficulties are that you have to press and hold to be able to fast forward / rewind (I keep skipping chapters by mistake) and then that the letters aren’t written above the keypad numbers. I don’t think the letters are written in the manual either so I’m not sure if I’m missing any functionality. I just keep referring to my mobile - the same letters seem to be assigned to the same number keys. I especially like that my Sky box can start off the recorder. A handy hint for when entering title names - if you press ‘Select’ then the letter is changed to uppercase. So, if you’re used to texting on your mobile then it’s fairly easy to enter titles and then go back and change any letters to uppercase afterwards. All I’d like to see now is the ability to merge recordings as well as split. I’m doing that on my PC at the moment and it’s a little bit cumbersome to go between the two…

Toshiba DR160 DVD Recorder
Amazon Price: ?108.88
Used Price: ?82.99
Customer Review: Adequate basic recorder
I was looking for a second entry-level -R/RW recorder, having already got a Funai 2737 (which does the job fine). Decided to try the Toshiba as it had the benefit of Chase Play. In actual fact, this Toshiba seems to be the same underlying chassis as the Funai, with a different (somewhat more attractive) fascia. All rear ports and the user interface are all identical. The only difference is the addition of chase play. If you are drawn to this machine because of this feature then beware. Chase play can only be used when recording in quality setting of long play, or lower. This is tolerable on a small screen TV, but the quality when viewed on a large screen is barely acceptable, more or less making chase play a feature you will never use anyway. Apart from that, the unit looks and works fine, however, it might be worth considering the Funai and saving yourself ?25.
Customer Review: Not a bad machine, just too noisy
This machine has some very good points, but its too noisy to be used in a living room. Ours was RMAed. On the plus side: - Discs are initalised quickly, you can be recording on DVD-R within 20 secs. - The menu system is clear and easy to use - The DVD playing machanism is very quiet, you can’t hear the disc spinning at all - The DVD-R disc recorded played perfectly in Pioneer DVD (Dv464), Argos in Car DVD and PC. - It can play CDs of Jpegs. However the downsides out weight these good features: - Its very noisy, there is case fan at the back, that is always on when the recorder is. Watching Planet Earth with the DVD recording is, unconfortable, there is a constant whiring. Its 3 or 4 times noisyer than my AV reciever and I thought that was noisy! - remote control is “boxy” and square, hence unconfortable in the hand. - DVD-R take a LONG time to finalise, over 20 Mins. - It cannot play DVD-R discs of photo JPEGs burnt on my PC, that my Pioneer DVD player plays fine. Hence only 3 stars I’m afraid ….