DVD Recorder Review:
Pioneer PRV-LX1 DVD (page 2)

Simplicity is the main benefit of the PRV-LX1, but when it comes to creating menus this is also a creative weakness. With only three fonts to select from and about 11 different button templates that each include some variation, the possibilities are limited. To provide a bit more customization, however, you can choose different colors, change chapter thumbnails or use a still image as a background. Once you have selected your template, you can easily preview your menu before burning.

Pioneer has created a handy feature that makes it easy to create quick chapters. For instance, video clients often want to preview rough edits, or a series of similar shots. The PRV-LX1 lets you manually or automatically inserts chapter marks while recording source material direct to the hard drive or DVD by simply pressing pause on the PRV-LX1.

Other professional features include remote operation by standard RS-422A protocol. This means you can set up edit decision lists (EDLs) and use autocapture features from your computer's video editing software. You can even import existing EDLs created by other editing systems. The FireWire interface also allows the PRV-LX1 to control other devices.

The bitrate of the MPEG-2 video can be precisely set, all the way up to 9Mbps, so the quality of the image is ultimately up to you. The interface for selecting the bitrate uses a well-designed bitrate vs. time interface, so you can easily maximize the quality of your video by selecting the highest bitrate that will still allow your project to fit on the disc.

In our tests, we were able to trick the machine by using a 44kHz DV audio source, which is a legitimate, if unusual, sample rate for DV. The audio was not upsampled by the PRB-LX1 to DVD standard 48kHz, thus producing unusable audio on the disc.

If you are trying to increase the productivity of your small to medium-sized, professional video production facility, the PRV-LX1 may be an excellent investment. Component BNC video inputs, XLR balanced audio, RS-422A control connections, an input for your power supply, and machined-holes for rack mounting clearly limit this $3,995 machine to facilities that need exactly these professional features. This is not a product for consumers who just want to burn a DVD and, in terms of quality and ease of use, there are better products for you at a tenth of the cost of the PRV-LX1.

Weight: approx. 31 pounds
Size: 16-13/16"(W) x 7-1/16"(H) x 20-1/16 (D)
Records To: DVD-R, DVD-RW, HDD
Audio Recording Format: Dolby Digital and linear PCM
Audio Sampling Frequency: 48 kHz
HDD Size: 120GB
Video Input: Composite, S-video, component (Y, B-Y, R-Y), FireWire
Video Output: Composite, S-video, component (Y, Pb, Pr), FireWire
Audio Input: Unbalanced, RCA; balanced, XLR (Female)
Audio Output: Unbalanced, RCA; balanced, XLR (Female); Digital
External Sync Input: BNC x 2 black burst
Other Inputs/Outputs: LTC; Remote input (RS-422A); Remote output (RS-422A); UPS control (RS-232C); VGA output (Mini D-sub 15-pin female); Mouse/keyboard connectors (USB2.0); Ethernet (8P type)

• Professional inputs
• Professional device control options
• One-touch recording

• Expensive for a standalone DVD burner

The PRV-LX1 has features that professionals might be required to pay for, but is otherwise too expensive as a simple standalone DVD burner.

Pioneer Electronics
2265 East 220th Street
Long Beach, CA 90810
(310) 952-2000
www.pioneerelectronics.com
$3,995

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