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| Date Reviewed: 07/26/2006 |
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Strengths: Writes to all formats, easy editing, program titles, sleek looks, S-video and component outs
Weaknesses: minor: exhaust fan can be heard in a quiet room, but no biggie if you are watching something as it is not too loud
Summary: Awesome device. It can write to any and all disk formats, as well as VHS. Many other DVD recorders only record on certain formats eg DVD+R/RW and not DVD-R/RW..this one does it all, includind DVD-RAM and DL. The chapter editor is easy to use, making it easy to split up a recorded program into other 'titles', and you can name each title whatever you want...makes for easy selection when selecting playback. Can record up to 8 hours on a single DVD (more if using a DL disk)!!! (but with corresponding quality loss). It looks sleek and is a nice addition to any entertainment center...this is my first DVD writer, and it so much better and easier to use than a VCR. No more winding through a tape looking for a program, or trying to find an empty section on tape to record on, you can forward in 30 second increments to get past ads. Also has the usual TV tuner and recording timer. Allows you to copy to/from VHS and DVD (as long as not copyrighted) with a simple one-button press on the remote.
What is different about this unit that i have not seen on others is that it has an exhaust fan in the back to pump out the heat. Under normal viewing conditions you wont hear it, but if you are recording something while muting the audio, you will hear it (sound like air going through an AC vent). It is not loud at all and you have to concentrate to hear it, but it is something to keep in mind.
I also had it lock up on me once for some strange reason while trying to break a DVD recorded program into two titles...only the power button would work, but when i powered back on, it was still locked up. I had to unplug it completely to, in effect, "re-boot" the system. This has only happened once in the last 6 weeks, so i suspect it is a rare event.
I searched many brands/makes/models before deciding on this one. It has great features, looks great, and is easy to use. Samsung earned my trust as a maker of quality, innovative, function-packed, and reasonably priced products from previous purchases, which was a major factor in my purchasing decision. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a DVD recorder/VCR combo. I rarely give 5 stars, but this one deserves it.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/29/2006 |
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Strengths: This DVD/VCR recorder is very easy to use.
It provides solid audio and video.
Weaknesses: It lacks advanced features that an audiophile might desire.
Summary: 2006-07-04 04:16:03 This DVD/VCR recorder is quite easy to set up. Recording from VHS to DVD (or vice versa) may be accomplished by simply pressing one button. Advanced recording options, however, are also available. In addition, there are a multitude of editing options that one may employ subsequent to copying a VHS tape on to DVD. I have transferred numerous VHS tapes to DVD and then edited them without any difficulty whatsoever.
100% of People (24/24) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/26/2006 |
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 Good Idea, Bad Execution: Don't Buy Strengths: Good recording quality...when it works. Some nice features. Detailed manual
Weaknesses: Bugs, bugs, bugs. Frequent lock ups. Unable to finalized DVD. Undocumented screens missing from incomplete manual.
Summary: I have to agree with the poster who said there were too many problems to list. Recording quality is, indeed, good when it works propoerly, which is rare or never. I have yet to be able to finalize a DVD; it locks up every time on an unsupported (in the manual) page regarding creating titles. So although the DVD plays fine in the Samsung, it's useless in anything else. It's also locked up numerous times while copying VHS to DVD. I haven't even tried the start/stop feature to record snippets of a VHS and won't--based on the frustrations to date, I don't have the time or patience.
I also agree the owner's manual is difficult and incomplete though detailed. I'm a technical user but I had trouble wading through some of the arcane sections. If the basic copy function for which many people will buy this worked as advertised, I wouldn't care. But since it doesn't, the lack of a complete and accurate manual is particularly aggravating.
Don't waste your money. Samsung has some nice ideas (the inset panes that play each chapter as you review the titles are great) but this unit is too bug ridden for public release. I'm returning it and won't be buying other Samsung video products in the near future. Anything this buggy that gets into production shows a lack of quality assurance and inadequate testing.
100% of People (3/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/03/2007 |
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 Prolem child Strengths: easy features and I found the documentaion for use ok
Weaknesses: troubleshooting is next to none, worked great until I tried to copy a VCR tape
Summary: I have tried several of these type machines and have not found one to recommend. I have had this one less than a year and am already having recording issues. The latest is that a blank DVD will not "initialize". I did finally get one to complete after several attemps to only find out that 1/2 the DVD was usable.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/03/2007 |
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Strengths: STYLE, EASY TO USE.
Weaknesses: NONE
Summary: This is a great machine; any DVDs type will play and record on this recorder; works perfect; easy to use; I can use it also as TV tuner; nice remote control. very happy with this product.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 |
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Strengths: connectivity
picture quality
audio quality
simplicity of use
Weaknesses: none so far
Summary: played vhs tapes that did not play well in a panasonic, routs both the vcr and the dvd output through component video and S-video -- no need for separate cabling. Autoclock time -- very impressed
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| Date Reviewed: 10/05/2006 |
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I hate this product!
Strengths: Good record quality when it works.
Weaknesses: Too many to list really...
Summary: I am very unhappy with it. I have had it get stuck recording, nothing would make it stop until I unplugged it. In the end I lost all the data on that disc, it was unrecoverable. :(
I also has it just sort of hang up while transfering from VHS to DVD. Once again no functions would work, I had to unplug it and lost yet another disc along with all the data on it. :(
It just has so many problems, it seems to strugle with every function. It was not worth it, it has not served the purpose I got it for and I feel it was a complete waste of money.
60% of People (6/10) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/02/2007 |
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 Good Strengths: Good instruction manual. Good support at Samsung 800 number. Easy to record from vhs.
Weaknesses: The machine is sensitive to certain recordable dvds, try sony dvd's.
Summary: This is a machine that does a little bit of everything. It does what it does in a good manner. It has a lot of functions so take your time experiencing them all. I enjoy the many advantages of this machine.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/15/2007 |
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You can do better....much better!
Strengths: It does record VHS tapes to DVD - which I why I purchased it
Weaknesses: User manual is the worst I've ever seen and, in spite of what the manual claims, you cannot title the DVD!
Summary: I've been around for a long, long time and can reacall that after WW II it was common to make fun of the Japanese/English instruction manuals. Well, here the language is fine but the convoluted, disorganized and, at times, downright incorrect instructions, are the worst I've ever seen in a User Manual. Today I discovered after recording a VHS tape to DVD and writing the title I wanted for the DVD, that the new title can only be read on the Samsung DVD-VR330! On any other player or in your computer the title of the DVD is "Samsung DVD Recorder". I have verified this lack of capability with Samsung Tech Support. Also, after many telephone calls to Tech Support I have written my own instructions sheet to enable me to simply record a VHS tape to DVD! Samsung used to make quality products. Maybe this one was actually made by a copmpetitor?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/09/2007 |
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Strengths: There are no formatt issues to fret about!! This unit is very easy to operate. I did have to make a call to customer service at Samsung for a simple oversight on my part. I tried to overcomplicate.
Weaknesses: None so far. I had an Emerson that rarley ever worked and was very picky on formatt issues.
Summary: I had this machine delivered to my door for about the same price of the Emerson I suffered through Best Buy lines to get. I love the one button VCR> DVD copy option. Easy to use remote, and really fun to use. I plan on getting another for our bedroom and giving the Emerson the the kids. They could learn from a little frustration in there lives :-)
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