Digital Trends

LG LRY-517 July 5th, 2005 | by Mike Bell

VHS Tape to DVD Dubbing

A Sony DVD-RW disc was used for the VHS to DVD dubbing tests first with XP DVD quality mode selected, then SP mode.  LP and EP modes were not tested.  The VHS tape was recorded previously in SP mode from a Hi-8 camcorder.  The video quality in DVD SP mode matched the original videotape quality quite well.  Video quality in DVD XP mode was minimally better and in our judgment is not necessary for dubbing good analog videotapes to DVD.

Chapter markers are automatically added to the DVD at 5- or 10-minute intervals if desired.

The LRY517 has a “Title List Menu,” which provides extensive editing features, depending upon the media used and recording mode.  We used the “Title Feature,” which displays an on-screen keyboard to add a title to our dubbed DVD.  After the title was added, we finalized the disc and it was ready to play in other DVD players. 

The entire dubbing process was straightforward.  Converting your library of family videotapes to DVD should be very convenient without the need to dig out the LRY517 manual each time. 

Timer Recording

The LRY517 has an integrated “Timer Record Menu” that provides eight unique recording events for up to one month.  Each event allows you to select the media (DVD or VCR), recording mode (quality), and cable channel or front or rear AV input.  There is only one tuner and you cannot record both a DVD and tape at the same time.  However, you can watch a DVD while recording a tape and vice-versa.  In addition, if a DVD-RAM is recording a program, you can begin watching the program from the beginning before the recording is complete.

When recording from an external source such as a set top box, the LRY517 cannot control the channel selection of the set top box.  The set top box must be on and set to the correct channel when the programmed recording event starts.

Memory Card Operation

There are two memory card slots behind the front panel.  When the Memory button on the remote is pressed, a menu pops up on the TV and one of the two slots may be selected.  Pictures, music, or DivX movies may be played from the memory card.

We displayed pictures manually and in slide show mode.  The user interface was easy to use and included a picture rotate function.  The time required for the LRY517 to render pictures on the TV screen was adequate, but not as fast as most PC users experience.