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CD Recorder Reviewed

© Chad Bowar

Ever since CD Recorders were introduced a couple of years ago, I've wanted one. I still don't own one, but I recently had the opportunity to try out the Philips CD Recorder, and I now know what's going to be on the top of my Christmas list! The CD Recorder is superior to Mini Disc and DAT, which I've also used, and will probably spell the end of the cassette in the not too distant future.

Philips introduced the Compact Disc fifteen years ago, and the development of the CD Recorder allows users to consolidate all existing audio formats to CD. The Consumer Electronics Association presented Philips with the 1997 Innovations Award for the CDR870, which was the model I tested. The CEA called it one of the top breakthroughs of the year.

Philips is now up to the third generation of CD Recorders. Five models comprise the line, including four component models and a new mini shelf system with a CD-R component. One nice feature of the new generation is CD Text. It displays text already carried by pre-recorded CDs and allows manual input and editing of text for labeling personal recordings.

Philips CD Recorders record onto two different types of discs, CD-Recordable (CD-R) and CD-Rewritable (CD-RW). CD-R discs are also known as "write once" discs, since the information is permanently stamped on the aluminum reflective layer. A CD-R can be played on any CD player or CD-ROM drive.

CD-RW discs can be recorded and re-recorded more than 1000 times without any loss of digital quality. CD-RW discs have a lower reflectance than standard CDs and are therefore not compatible with all existing CD players. I personally own 5 CD players, and the CD-RW was able to play on only 2 of them. They will play on any Philips CD player, however.

The recording process is really easy. The CD Recorder is compatible with optical, coaxial and analog inputs. If you're using a digital source, the CD is automatically recorded at its original recording level. For analog recording the user may manually adjust the recording levels to assure the highest sound quality. There is also a really useful feature called "CD Sync", which starts the source CD and the blank CD simultaneously. This function allows you to copy a source CD from start to finish with the touch of a button. There is also a remote control that provides easy access to all the recorders main functions.

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