297wv17 Cyberhome DVR1600

28/6/05

2:59 pm

Page 056

On test
DVD recorder G Approx price: 100

CyberHome DVR 1600

Fact file
I MP3 playback I Five quality levels I Analogue tuner I RGB Scart output I JPEG viewing

Details

FEATURES
Recording formats: DVD+R/RW Recording modes: 5 Max. recording time: 5.5 hour Non-linear editing: No TV tuner: Analogue Timer: 16-event/one month Guide Plus/Video Plus: No/No Set-top box control: No Dimensions: 350(w) x 55(h) x 230(d)mm Weight: 2.9kg Other features: JPEG & MP3 playback

DISC PLAYBACK

DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode), DVD+R, DVD+R (Dual Layer), DVD+RW, Dual Disc (CD & DVD sides), CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3

SOCKETS

Front: DV input; stereo analogue input; composite video input Rear: RGB Scart output; Scart input; electrical digital output: stereo analogue output; S-video output; composite video output

CONTACT

www.cyberhome-europe.de

TEST DATA

For a full explanation of test data, please see page 118
Recording Test Reading Chroma AM 57.6dB Chroma PM -56.3dB Frequency response: HQ @ 4MHz 0dB SP @ 4MHz 0dB LP @ 2MHz -2.6dB EP @ 2MHz -2.6dB SLP @ 2MHz -3.4dB
Rating Very good Good Excellent Excellent Average Average Poor
erman electronics company CyberHome has built a solid reputation for itself in the UK for producing very affordable DVD players that also have a touch of flair about them.Its no real surprise then that at under 100 the DVR 1600 is not only one of the cheapest DVD recorders on the market,but its also one of the smallest. The DVR 1600 is of the +R/RW school of DVD recording, although it can also playback -R/RW discs as well as CD-R/RWs loaded with MP3 or WMA files, JPEGs for image viewing, and Kodak Picture CDs. Theres no sign of high-resolution audio, but what can you expect for this price? Useful though the exposed connections on the front are particularly the DV input for connecting a camcorder theres no real reason why they should constantly be on display. Around the back connections are pretty basic.With a brace of Scarts, S-video, composite video, an electrical digital audio output and a pair of stereo jacks.The main issue here is that theres no sign of an RGB Scart input.This is a real drag if you are planning on recording directly off your Sky box, as you are limited to the quality of S-video for the transfer.This isnt something that bodes well for the recording part of this test later rubbish in, rubbish out is the maxim for recording. The menu system is pretty good. The first time you turn the DVR 1600 on and connect it you are walked through a series of steps to get you up and running as soon as possible, including setting up the internal analogue TV tuner.

performance

Recording on this machine is just as it should be a doddle. Its easy to
make your first recording, but then there are lots of more advanced options should you need them. For starters there are five levels of recording available, the lowest of which allows you up to 5.5 hours on a single DVD-R.Theres also a useful automatic switch off recording mode, which allows you to record for a set number of minutes by simply pressing the record button repeatedly. Unfortunately, this only allows you to record for 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Not enough for most films and certainly not very useful if you want to record a live football match while you pop down the pub. The trouble is that recording on this machine is a double-edged sword. Using the internal tuner you are rewarded with impressive reproductions of the original footage.At least you are at the three highest recording levels where results have good colour reproduction and plenty of detail although if you are recording fast moving sport such as football, then wed only really recommend the top two levels. However, taking a source from somewhere else such as Sky produces less impressive results.The drop down in quality caused by having to enter the 1600 at a poorer quality level degrades programs such as 24 to an incredible degree, and induces lots of digital blocking and loss of contrast and detail.This is a real shame, as the inclusion of an RGB Scart could have made the DVR 1600 a nice little recorder. With playback of pre-recorded discs, the DVR 1600 does pretty well considering that its a very cheap recorder.The Californian backdrop to Sideways is delivered with plenty of detail, and sonically the electrical digital output has no problems feeding a surround sound receiver.Also, as this budget

Also Consider >>

PANASONIC DMR-ES10 The DVD-RAM party comes to town in this affordable product. Reviewed: Mar 05
PHILIPS DVD615 Philips latest and the most affordable DVD recorder weve seen. Reviewed: Mar 05 recorder is likely to be used just plugged directly into a TV, the stereo analogue outputs also performed pretty well, although it has to be said its no CD player! If a budget recorder is top of your shopping list then the DVR 1600 is worth having a look at,but if you are a Sky fanatic that values image quality, then youre better off looking elsewhere I Shaun Marin

Ratings

WHATS GOOD

Price; size; convenience

WHATS BAD
No RGB Scart input; average recording performance
Picture Sound Features Ease of use Value
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OVERALL VERDICT

A decent budget recorder with limitations that will annoy once the honeymoon periods over
056 I What Video and Widescreen TV I Issue 297