25_HCC_120 October Head2Head

15/8/05

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Head2Head

DVD/HDD RECORDERS
Mustek R580 or Yamada DVR

-9000H? Its time to go

The falling price of hard drives worldwide has opened the door for cheaper brands to jump onto the DVD/HDD recorder bandwagon. Rik Henderson tests two at very reasonable prices.
ost recordings are made for one viewing only unless youre an avid fan of
Eastenders or Antiques Roadshow and, although DVD+RW/-RW discs are reusable up to a thousand times, the benefits of hard drive recording are obvious. But such machines have always been relatively pricey. Yamada and Mustek certainly think so as both brands have grabbed the bull by the horns and launched DVD+R/+RW recorders with 80GB hard drives, for around 250. Sadly, this means that sacrifices have been made compared to a Panasonic or Pioneer equivalent, specifically in the editing arena. But do they still offer a decent deal?
Mustek R580 N 250 (Approx) N 2017 N www.mustek.co.uk
The Mustek is a tidy looking recorder with a central disc tray. Theres too many legends and logos for my liking, but it doesnt look cheap and would suit the more discerning connoisseurs rack nicely. Unfortunately, the same couldnt be said about the remote; its an ugly unresponsive beast with buttons placed in baffling configurations. Connections, too, highlight the position in the market. While two Scarts are offered, only the output is RGBenabled, which hampers the quality of signal you can feed the deck from an external set-top box. As the internal tuner is only analogue, its likely that this is the option youd prefer, so youll have to put up with a muddier picture, if your STB can even output composite. Other connectivity is plentiful. Composite video, analogue audio, Svideo and i-Link (for camcorders) inputs are mounted up front, with the same bar the DV port on the back. Its here
you find equivalent outputs, alongside progressive scan-capable component, coaxial and optical digital audio and 5.1 speakers outs. A healthy array indeed, if only the Scart could input RGB ho hum. As mentioned, this is a DVD+R/+RW machine (for recording) and features an 80GB hard drive for storing programmes before archiving which, on the lowest bitrate, can store up to 104 hours of footage. In keeping with the recorder norm, there are five recordings modes in total; HQ (1hr on DVD, 21hrs on HDD), SP (2hrs, 34hrs), LP (3hrs, 52hrs), EP (4hrs, 69hrs) and SLP (6hrs, 104hrs). You should note that you cant change a bitrate if youre dubbing to DVD if you choose HQ to record a two-hour programme, you cant downgrade the quality to archive it on disc. Another sign of the no frills approach of the R580 is far more heinous. Theres a complete lack of editing functions. Renaming and deleting titles is all thats on offer, and you can only create chapters on a DVD, so hiding them (for example, removing the adverts) means they will still take up valuable disc space. Its a relief that the picture and sound quality is near broadcast quality at the top of the range, albeit muddied by the composite Scart feed. Details are retained admirably, as are colours. LP and EP modes lose fine details and start to introduce artefacting, but theyre fine for everyday use, while the lowest setting becomes a blocky mess during fast movement its best avoided. My final bugbear with the Mustek, which is damning considering all the other foibles, is its operational noise. The cooling fan inside mustve come from a jet engine, and if youre trying to view a more ambient movie at

SYSTEM RATINGS COMPARED

MUSTEK R580
Highs: Nice design; 5.1 speaker outputs Lows: No RGB Scart; fan noise; no editing functions

Yamada DVR-9000H

Highs: RGB Scart input; user-friendly menus; easy operation Lows: Analogue tuner; no VideoPlus

Picture Sound Features OVERALL

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Mustek R580

SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS COMPARED
Specifications: (Records) DVD+R, DVD+RW, 80GB HDD; (Plays) DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode), DVD+R, DVD+R (Dual layer), DVD+RW, Dual Disc, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG; 5 recording modes; analogue tuner; Timeshift function; dynamic range control; slow motion; zoom; edit title name; one-touch timer Connections: 2 Scart in/outputs (Scart output RGB-enabled); 2 composite video inputs; 2 analogue stereo inputs; 2 S-video inputs; i.Link (IEEE 1394) input; component outputs (prog scan-enabled); composite video output; S-video output; 5.1 speaker outputs; coaxial digital audio output; optical digital audio output; RF antenna loop through Dimensions: 420(w) x 75(h) x 300(d)mm Weight: 5kg
Specifications: (Records) DVD+R, DVD+RW, 80GB HDD; (Plays) DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode), DVD+R, DVD+RW, Dual Disc (DVD side only), CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3, JPEG; 4 recording modes; analogue tuner; one-key recording and timer; Easy Guide; rename, split, merge, delete title Connections: 2 x Scart in/outputs (both RGB-enabled); composite video input; analogue stereo inputs; DV Link (IEEE1394) input; component outputs (prog scan-enabled); composite video output; coaxial digital audio output; optical digital audio output; RF antenna loop-through Audio connections: optical digital; coaxial digital; phonos Dimensions: 430(w) x 66(h) x 316(d)mm Weight: 4.5kg
76 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E

OCTOBER

Page 77

Tried&Tested

On paper, theres nothing in it.but Yamada comes out comfortably on top
reasonable volume levels, it can drown out most of the softer dialogue.
input (IEEE1394) on the left. While, on the back, composite video, stereo audio, coaxial and optical digital audio and component (prog scan-capable) outputs are all on offer. Of course, these are accompanied with RF loopthrough sockets, but only for the in-built analogue tuner. Admittedly, not many recorders have Freeview tuners, and one here wouldve been mildly surprisingly. Like the Mustek, this machine can record onto DVD+R and +RW discs, with the latter limited for editing functionality in comparison to the RW format, and it too features an internal 80GB hard drive. However, there are only four recording modes on offer; HQ (1hr on DVD, 16hrs on HDD), SP (2hrs, 32hrs), EP (4hrs, 64hrs) and SLP (6hrs, 96hrs). Its odd that a mid-range LP mode isnt featured, especially when its listed in the manual, but it isnt on any menu or timer screen, although its largely unnecessary as the EP mode is of decent enough quality.

Although the Yamada doesnt boast the kind of editing features found on bigger brands recorders, it does beat the Mustek hands down. As well as renaming and deleting titles, it can split and merge allowing you to cut out adverts or trim the ends of your programme before archiving. Chapter marks can also be inserted, removed or hidden on the HDD. These may be fairly basic, but compared to the R580, its like having a professional Avid editing suite. Its also better on picture quality, thanks to the RGB Scart input, of course. Recordings at the top two levels display vivid colourful pictures, with plenty of fine detail, and even the bottom two are only mildly washed out. The SLP mode does have some picture blocking noise, but is still highly watchable and above VHS quality. And sound is exemplary throughout. Theres little to choose between the two machines in terms of bought DVD playback they both perform as well as a 100-150
dedicated DVD player, especially through prog scan which captures details well. But the biggest difference between the Yamada and the Mustek is the operating noise. In short, the Yamada purrs in comparison. Its just another string to its already impressive bow.
Yamada DVR-9000H N 260 (Approx) N 3304 N www.umax.co.uk
Where the Mustek looks like a more expensive machine, the Yamada DVR-9000H is a slab. It exudes the aura of car boot sales from every pore, with a bland as you like silver fascia, and only the retro alarm-clock LED display as a minor saving grace. And the remote is black! Its a complete mismatch, although its a darn sight better in operation than the R580s, with the buttons nicely and logically arranged. There are less connections, most notably a lack of S-video in or outputs, but importantly, both Scarts are RGB-enabled. The front panel offers composite video and analogue stereo inputs on the right-hand side, and a DV

Conclusion

With just 10 difference and very similar specifications, I expected it to be a tight race between the R580 and DVR-9000H. On paper, theyre very similar, but the Yamada not only slaps the Mustek into submission, it puts the boot in when the latters on the ground. RGB Scart connectivity and noise levels are enough to recommend the Yamada themselves, but when the editing facilities are added, its clear this machine aims to take the big boys on at their own game. Whereas, the Mustek R580 is simply one small step up from a VHS deck, it cant even cite affordability as a major benefit I
Twin Scarts are both RGB-enabled on the Yamada unlike just one on the Mustek
Yamadas handset proved responsive and logical.
.unlike the one from Mustek
5.1 speaker outputs are a useful addition on the Mustek
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