Packard Bell EHR(approx) 2334 www.packardbell.co.uk
HDD recording for the cost conscious
Packard Bell only makes computers, right? Well, wrong actually. Rik Henderson gives the brands rst DVD/HDD recorder a whirl

RATINGS

Highs: A wealth of connections; good editing functions Lows: Only manual timer; fan noise issues; analogue tuner

COMPATIBILITY

DVD-V DVD-A SACD CD MP3 WMA JPEG MPEG4 CD-R CD-RW Video CD SVCD DualDisc (CD) DualDisc (DVD) DiVX DVD+R DVD-R * DVD+RW DVD-RW (Video) * DVD-RW (VR) DVD-RAM * Playback only
cinema setup, its now the norm. There really is no excuse to stick with the tried, tested and terrible VHS, when you can buy a half-decent digital recorder for less than a hundred quid. But, even with the editing and exibility DVD-RAM and DVDRW discs give you, theres nothing like recording straight to a hard drive rst, with the option of permanently archiving the footage later. Unfortunately, machines that allow you
here once DVD recording was a new-fangled and expensive addition to the average home
content thats stored on an external hard drive, USB memory stick or even a digital camera, whether it be MP3 or WMA audio les or JPEG pictures. You can even record the content onto a DVD, which is especially useful if you dont own a PC burner. This isnt even the end of the 2080s connectivity talents. As previously stated, both Scart sockets (in and output) are RGBenabled. When you consider that some big name brand alternatives havent got RGB inputs, this benet to digital set-top-box owners (both Sky and Freeview) cant be sniffed at. Another surprising inclusion is a full set of analogue 5.1 speaker outputs.
Picture Sound Features OVERALL
While this may be familiar on DVD players, its not so for recorders and is a great addition for those with an early multichannel amplier. Thats not to say it doesnt cater for the rest of us too, with coaxial and optical digital audio outputs. Video socketry is helpfully with progressive scan-enabled component, S-video and

Excellent

LAB REPORT
PLAYBACK Video jitter (14ns) Signal-to-noise ratio: Composite (52.4dB) S-video (73.9dB) Component (68.7dB) Chroma AM/PM AM (-68.5dB) PM (-63.9dB) Chroma crosstalk (-71.8dB) Freq response @5.8 MHz Composite (+0.1dB) S-video (-1.1dB) Component Y (-1.1dB) Audio jitter (696.6ps) RECORDING Chroma (SP) AM (-59.6dB) PM (-57.8dB) Freq response @4MHz XP (-1.1dB) SP (-1.2dB) Freq response @2MHz EP (-2.6dB) SLP (-2.6dB)

Average

to do this are usually a tad more expensive, costing anywhere up to 600, and those that are more affordable often offer poor operability. Also, they can lack basic essentials such as an RGB Scart input. NEC-owned company Packard Bell, however, has entered the AV market with a budget machine that offers the latter and quite a bit more. The EHR2080s aesthetics stay true to its price point; its fairly cheap-looking, with a silver casing offset by a plasticky black

SPECIFICATIONS

ITEM SUPPORT Integrated HDD VHS recording Progressive scan Multiregion Composite video Phono stereo audio S-video HDMI/DVI Scart Component DV (i.Link) input Digital Audio DETAILS 80GB No Compatible with 480p with 576p Region 2 out of the box 2 phono inputs; 1 output 2 sets of inputs; 1 set of outputs 1 input; 1 output Not on a budget machine 1 input; 1 output (both RGB) 1 set of outputs 1 input (front-mounted) 1 coaxial output; 1 optical output

fascia. But its well built, and the DVD tray isnt as imsy as some no-name brand machines Ive come in contact with over the last year or so. And, unlike those decks, nothing jiggles inside when you shake it about. The connections themselves are impressive, too. Lining up alongside a DV (rewire) camcorder input and composite
video and stereo analogue audio sockets is a USB 1.1 port. Through it you can access
Dimensions: 430(w) x 48(h) x 308(d)mm Weight: 5.3kg Also featuring 5.1 audio outputs; Dolby Digital, DTS (thorugh SPDIF) decoders; 6 x recording modes (up to 100hrs HDD, 6hrs DVD); Editing modes: DVD chapter insertion/deletion/hide/unhide, split title, delete title, append, rename: HDD delete, split, rename, remove segment, protect; HDD to DVD high-speed dubbing; analogue tuner with RF antenna loopthrough; USB 1.1 connection for external file playback; PDC recording control; recording DVD+R, DVD+RW JUNE 2006

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Tried&Tested. HDD/DVD Recorder
recordings into two pieces and chop out the
Its pictures on recorded content, especially when viewed via progressive scan, are good if not great, but you will notice a slight smearing on sharp edges through the RGB Scart output. This problem doesnt occur with bought DVDs, which are admirably crisper. Sound, through digital connectivity, is ne and issue-free, but, through the machines own 5.1 channel outputs theres a distinct lack of nesse and sharpness on vocals. Bass is ne, though, and the onboard Dolby Digital decoder does a decent job.
Pictures on recorded content especially through progressive scan are good if not great
composite video outs alongside the Scart equivalent. For good measure, the rear supplies another set of composite video and analogue stereo inputs, plus a secreted S-video in too. Unfortunately, where the connectivity impresses, the lack of a digital TV tuner does not. Only a legacy analogue tuner is in evidence, which, considering the switch-off is fast approaching, means that youll have to match the deck with a set-top-box (be that Sky, Freeview or other) forever more. While this means you can record high quality video, theres no access to a digital EPG. In fact, theres no VideoPlus+ either, so youll have to enter all your recording times manually. Even more irksome is the fan noise when the machine is working. Its not so much a whir as a helicopter landing in your living room. Its ok when its in standby, but youd be best advised to run a conventional DVD player if movie viewing. Media support is limited; the 2080s recordable disc options just DVD+R and DVD+RW, with limited editing functionality on the latter. Thankfully the 80GB HDD takes up much of the editing strain and, although it doesnt offer every feature under the sun, the modes are enough to take much of the sting out of most needs. Changing the index picture and renaming the footage comes as standard, but the machine also offers a function to remove segments (such as adverts) from your recordings. Unfortunately, this doesnt restore disc space, as it just hides those lumps of video, but you can just divide your

offending items manually. Theres six recording modes to choose from for both the hard drive and DVD: EQ (1hr on the DVD, 17hrs on the HDD), SP (2hrs, 34hrs), SP+ (3hrs, 51hrs), EP (4hrs, 68hrs), LP (5hrs, 85hrs) and SLP (6hrs, 102hrs). Unfortunately, unless youre desperate and have already lled the drive with untold episodes of Charmed, the lower two modes are barely watchable they turn the footage into a sort of digital soup but the others hold up well, and youll probably nd yourself adopting for SP as the default mode because it loses very little in translation. Other bonuses, considering the abilities of the decks price-point peers, include high speed HDD to DVD dubbing, although you cant reduce the bit rate of a recording after its committed to hard drive, so that should always be considered if you plan to archive later on. Also, although the box and manual I was given for review failed to mention it, this machine can play back DivX, XviD and other MPEG4 les. It plays them back well too, with bright, engaging colours.

Conclusion

I suspect that the EHR2080 is never going to compete against the big offerings from Sony, Pioneer and, specically, Panasonic, it certainly holds its own at the lower end of the market. Its ability to play DivX les and the USB connectivity are real stand-outs and come as quite a pleasant surprise. But, for me, the fact that this has an RGB Scart input for easy connection to an STB is its key attraction over so many others
Front-mounted connections include a USB 1.1 port
The remote is, to be honest, hideous
5.1 audio outputs are rare on a DVD recorder
The Scart input is RGB-enabled, unlike with many rivals

JUNE 2006

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