This Lite On DVD recorder review compares three products in their DVD recorders category. They are really start-up priced-products (less than $200), but more loaded with features than those in a similar price category from other companies.

Here's a quick overview through Lite-On's LVW-5005 features:

The upsides

• Easy user interface
• Built-in TV tuner
• FireWire Port for easy transfer from camcorder
• Unbeatable price

The downsides

• No time shifting
• Only titles can be edited
• Incompatible with some DVD-R media brands
• Sometimes, pausing recordings may cause the discs to fail at finalization

The LVW-5005 is the middle line unit from Lite-On, the first in row to incorporate their “all write” technology. The recorder burns in DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW formats. It can also write CD-R/RW discs. The LVW-5005 model has a built-in TV tuner, progressive scan and component outputs, A/V input, composite video connection. For this price level, the FireWire port makes it more eligible than its peers.

LiteOn DVD Dual Recorder This AllWrite DVD recorder has revolutionized the way you record your videos. Use any kind of discs, 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 Naviagtor and DV Link ( IEEE 1394 mini) to link DV Camcorder. This has an optional DVI+HDCP output. The Prograssive scan is 480p with Multi Language OSD.

Lite-On LVW-5005 comes with its EasyGuider, an on-screen display interface. The remote control has more logic than many others.

What you'll miss on this model is an electronic programming guide that would allow you to automatically find TV shows you want to record (usually those broadcast in the next 36 hours); probably you'd also like an IR blaster but this model doesn't have one.

You can choose among four recording modes:

• HQ (one hour) is its best picture/sound quality, similar to good satellite TV image;
• SP (two hours) is much like the first one, but doesn't keep pace with fast motion or other pretentious scenes;
• EP (four hours) is the quality of VHS tape;
• SLP (six hours) is worse than watching video tape and practically cuts the picture's quality in half.

The TV tuner allows you to record programs from television, but depends on you to manually program the shows you want to see. The lack of an IR blaster makes the unit unable to automatically switch channels.

The Lite-On LVW-5001 model records only in DVD+R/RW format. With minor design differences, this model is sold as Gateway AR-230.

The newest Lite-On LVW-5020 incorporates an 80 GB hard drive that lets you use it for DVR style TV recording. Another great upgrade to their previous models is VCRplus+ function, that allows users to simply insert programs codes for recording on hard drive. With this model you have 16 sets of pre-scheduled recordings. The main problem with it — it's not available yet. Lite-On officials announced it in middle June 2004.