The Lite-On HD-A760GX is one of the cheapest DVR DVD recorders

The most disturbing feature of Lite-On HD-A760GX is that it cannot play a DVD when it is recording something at that moment. You are forced to watch the program that is being recorded.

As with all DVR DVD recorders, the Lite-On HD-A760GX has an option that allows you to watch the beginning of the recording, even if the end is still being recorded. Using the Time Shift button you can pause, rewind and fast-forward live TV.

The Lite-On HD-A760GX DVR DVD recorder has 5 recording modes: HQ (1 hour on a standard DVD+/-R); SP (2 hours); LP (3 hours); EP (4 hours); and SLP (6 hours). Using SLP (which is the lowest quality mode) you can store 321 hours of video, while using a higher quality mode (SP) you can store up to 108 hours.

Unlike other similar products, all Lite-On HD-A760GX DVR DVD recorders offer an acceptable recording quality when using lower-quality settings.

While most DVRs have an EPG TV guide (which lists the programs for an extended period of time allowing you to decide what you would like to record) and an IR blaster, the Lite-On HD-A760GX lacks both.

The graphical user interface (GUI) is intuitive and the Easy Guider Menu is built on a step-by-step basis which makes it easy to understand.

The editing interface is tedious as you have to go back to the main menu after each step of the editing process and select the file again. To remove commercials you need to split the recording into several sections, delete those sections that have commercials and then merge the rest back together.

Most recordable DVD media are compatible with Lite-On HD-A760GX DVR DVD recorders (except -R dual layer and DVD-RAM). It is not entirely DivX compatible, so playing DivX or XviD files may be a problem. After copying the contents of a disc to the HDD you can use all the editing functions available.

The external appearance of Lite-On HD-A760GX is decent. Some viewers may be upset by the green LCD display. The letters and numbers are a little unclear, but readable, nonetheless. The front panel has some useful buttons (eject, play, stop) in case you've lost the remote.

The remote control is not backlit so you cannot see the numbers in a darkened room. It probably would have been better if it had a button for direct changing of the recording mode. However the buttons have different sizes and are distanced so it’s easy to get used to.

When it comes to connectivity, the Lite-On HD-A760GX lacks an HDMI output (High Definition Media Interface) which would have given a serious market advantage to this unit. Apart from this the connectivity is good. It has an A/V input with S-video, A/V output with S-video, one optical and one coaxial digital audio output. It also has RF (radio frequency) input and output.

Conclusion: Lite-On HD-A760GX DVR DVD recorders should please most people. There are some shortcomings to be taken into consideration but the low price and the high capacity of the HDD are strong arguments in favor of purchasing these products.

See reviews of these other DVD Recorders by Lite-On:

• The Lite-On LVW-1105HC DVD Recorder
• The Lite-On LVW-5005 DVD Recorder
• The Lite-On LVW-5045 DVD Recorder