Pioneer DVR-660HS Multi-System DVD Recorder

Comments about Pioneer DVR-660HS Multi-System DVD Recorder:

This is an excellent high-end DVD/HDD player-recorder. Ours is connected to a 42-inch plasma, and the picture quality is superb. Moreover, the machine handles effortlessly an enormous variety of DVD media formats. It is certainly expensive when compared to similar products, but if picture quality and media compatibility are among your objectives, well worth the money. Two cautions, both of which B&H's product description make clear: first, the tuner is analogue and incompatible with new U.S. off-air broadcast standards, but if the machine is connected to a satellite box, this ceases to be a drawback; second, this is a "gray market" product not intended for U.S. distribution, and so does not carry the manufacturer's warranty. (It does, however, carry a 90-day B&H warranty which, in my experience, is within the break-in failure period, during which, if electronics are going to fail, they generally do.)

Comments about Pioneer DVR-660HS Multi-System DVD Recorder:

Since the HDD DVRs came out five or six years ago, i've had a number of them, and at a time when there are only a very few left on the market, this is one of the very best. Compared to a computer, this is the only DVR i know of that has a multiprocessor, allowing you do record while still able to set recordings and do various other tasks. It has excellent editing capabilities to the point of allowing you almost frame by frame editing to remove those annoying and sometimes abusive commercials. Since i have had others DVRs, i can more readily compare than some owners. The DVR 660 makes it difficult to program recordings since you have to go channel up and down to locate the appropriate channel, but not only does it allow you to title your timer recordings, but you can type the timer recordings titles using a USB keyboard, almost any keyboard will work. It is also one of the few DVRs that readily uses DL discs, which i love for their convenience. Another drawback is the inability to copy a DVD movie to the recorder, except in real time. Three or four years before the DVR 660 was made i had other recorders would allow high speed copying of DVD movies to the HDD, in my case, so i could combine related movies on on DL DVD. The major problem for some users, but is was not for me and for some serious users, was the fact that the recorder was designed for a foriegn market, meaning you had to make some "adjustments." For example, you need your own power cord, you need a coax cable adapter for the input [but it's readily available from[...], so it's not highly unusual] and most difficut, in most cases users will be required in the initial setup to individually program the channels into the DVRs memory. But once done, it can be an advantage since you have the ability to locate the 125 cable channels where ever you desire in the DVRs 99 channel slots. Another minor annoyance is that the DVR 660 will not automatically add chapter marks at a set time frame in recordings to the HDD, forcing the user in most cases to all your own chapter marks if you want them.It's a great recorder, and i only hope that when the DVD drive wears out [as was the case with most of my recorders] Pioneer repair facilities will be able to replace the drives. I'd like to keep it a long time.If you get one, i'm sure you will enjoy it as much as i have mine.

Comments about Pioneer DVR-660HS Multi-System DVD Recorder:

Recording is easy and making copies of my videos is a snap. Recoding shows of the air is a very handy feature.
The only drawback is the coax cable will not match the US version, so I still have to use a converter box.

Comments about Pioneer DVR-660HS Multi-System DVD Recorder:

The DVR660HS is a great unit it makes editing out commercials a breeze. The menu system can be trying but be patient and explore all the possibilities, I had a hard time finding the combine titles command at first. This unit does not have a digital tuner so you will need a converter box for off air antenna or have cable / Satellite. The RF connectors are foreign you will need adapters for US use. This unit works great for US use. It comes default setting with PAL but it is easily switched to NTSC (page 119 of manual) on the unit press "input select" & "stop" buttons together to switch between the two formats. I have been using it for 10 days now and am very comfortable with it's editing operation. It automatically detects commercials and inserts markers for you so you can go right to that point to delete out commercials no searching necessary. This feature really saves hunting time for the start/end points. Then when you need to put in a title you can use the remote like a phone key pad but all you need to do is connect a PC keyboard to the USB and it automatically brings up another window for typing in the title. The unit automatically detects the power you need foreign or US just plug it in the wall using the ac adapter for the cord that comes in the box. Quality of the picture is very good. The 250 GB hard drive gives you plenty of room for collecting movies etc., for editing later. It has digital audio,also printer capable. It is supposed to be able to connect with your PC but I as yet can't get that to work with either of my pc's. If you have any technical questions about this unit you can call Pioneer [@]. They cannot answer any questions about the 660 but you can ask about the DVR550HS they do support that one in US and it's operation is very similar but keep in mind it is not the same . I have owned three DVR's now 1SONY 2 Panasonic's and the Pioneer is by far the best unit I have used. It's editing ability makes it fun to use, I really enjoy it. I highly recommend it. Remember for US use when you first turn it on you will see video that is out of sync, don't let that bother you just switch it over to NTSC as explained above.If you call tech support # above they can verify for you this unit will operate in the US even though it was designed for Canada. I'm using mine with Directv so I'm not concerned about the tuner or EPG (tv guide).