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| Date Reviewed: 04/18/2008 |
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 Solid but somewhat slow recorder Strengths: Reliable function, no bad recordings, good dvd format compatibility
Weaknesses: Rather slow to respond to certain commands, need to format each disc before recording
Summary: Samsung has a reliable device here. I've not had a corrupted or problematic recording yet. Transfer from VHS to DVD is quite easy, so getting those old home recordings onto a more lasting medium was a cinch. The number of button presses to do most actions is very small compared to some other combo units I've come across. Even my non-technical friends can work it without trouble.
It handles a wide variety of disc formats (plays more than it records, though), including dvd-ram, rw, and +/-r, and I've had good luck making recordings and then editing out unwanted parts on my Mac. You can edit your recordings directly with the Samsung, but it is slow and imprecise when responding to your commands. Cleanly cutting out a commercial, say, without snipping part of the show you want would be a tough exercise. But, if a few seconds of over or under editing is not a problem, then you won't mind what it can do. The only problem is by deleting content, you don't regain that disc space for further recording. So, I tend to use RW discs, then do proper edits on my computer, and make a final burn to a DVDR. Granted, I only do this when I need more control, and if you just want to preserve a TV show for later viewing, it's not an issue, really. But for as much time as they seemed to have spent on the user interface for editing (it's fairly good), it seems like the machine should be more accurate than it is.
When inserting a new disc to make a recording, it's not an instantaneous process because the device has to format the disc first, which takes a minute. In that rush to hurry and record something, I've been slightly peeved by that a couple of times, but if you are able to use it, the advance scheduler works well.
Overall, I'm happy I got it. I do wish I didn't have to resort to computer editing to get a nice clean recording for certain situations, but for casual VCR/DVDR usage, it's fine. It has good playback quality too. Too bad it doesn't have a tuner, though. No easy recording one thing while watching another as in those plain VCR days.
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| Date Reviewed: 08/17/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy setup; meets manufacturer's promo; reasonable price.
Weaknesses: None so far
Summary: So far we've used this unit for about a week and put it through a number of differnet tasks: play dvds, play old vhs tapes, copy from vhs to dvd, record from TV to dvd. All have been completed easily with this unit. The HDMI connection provides another good source for our HDTV. If it continues to perform as advertised I'll be one happy customer!
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| Date Reviewed: 10/02/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy to use, nice looking, has s-video output for both dvd and vhs players, easy to set up.
Weaknesses: No remote control (RS-232) output. As a whole, the combo doesn't feel super solid - don't know for how long everything will work.
Summary: The best thing about this combo (and the reason we bought five for our classrooms) is the s-video output that includes video from the videotape player side. The remote control is fairly easy to use, and basic copying to and from DVD's and VHS tapes is incredibly simple - push one button essentially. I haven't delved deeper into the capabilities of this unit, but am very happy with its performance so far.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/27/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy to hook up even though manual is skimpy. Easy to transfer vcr tape to dvd disc. Dual layer recording.
Weaknesses: manual is skimpy; could be a little more detailed.
Summary: This is a nice unit. Hookup was fairly easy. Easy to record VCR to DVD. I like that it includes dual layer recording. Picture is very good even when recording from VCR. this unit doesn't have a digital tuner so it has to be used with cable if you want to record from TV.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/28/2008 |
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Great for the price! But has a few dents in the armor!
Strengths: - great feature set
- relatively low price
- easy set up
- fairly intuitive controls
Weaknesses: - poor DiVx playback
- no USB port for thumb drives
Summary: very versatile - great combination of features you would expect to pay a lot more for if another brand. only thing missing is a USB jack for playing files off thumb drive!
DiVx playback spotty - many movies showed a lot of digital pixelation, voice out of sync, etc. that didn't appear on other, less expensive players.
FYI (sorry if you already knew this) DiVx is the video equivalent of what MP3 is to audio: DiVx files much smaller than their "DVD" equivalent, slight reduction in quality, but huge savings in file size. Can fit 5 or 6 two-hour movies on a standard DVD; old tv shows and movies easily found for download.
I ended up giving this to my teenage daughter, and instead purchased a Philips DVD player refurb - she loves the fact that the Samsung can play her VHS as well as DVDs!
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| Date Reviewed: 03/03/2008 |
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Strengths: HDMI output for both DVDs and VHS tapes, Versatility of recordable media including DVD-RAM and dual layered discs
Weaknesses: Doesn't record on DVD+R discs
Summary: I have connected this unit to my home theater set-up. HDMI connectivity for both the parts of this recorder e.g. DVD and VHS is certainly a plus. It obviates the need for separate audio connection. It can record on most of the available media including DVD-RAM and dual layered discs except DVD+R. Upconversion to 1080i makes the picture really good.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/05/2007 |
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Strengths: Easy setup and operation
Weaknesses: Remote can be designed better to include more features.
Summary: This unit allows to record from dvd-vcr and vcr-dvd with a simple touch of a button. Very easy to use and quick setup.
Upconverting up to 1080i allows for crisp clean picture on an High-Def tv.
Can't go wrong for under $200.00
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| Date Reviewed: 08/16/2008 |
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 Not a very reliable or long lasting product Strengths: Its Easy to set up and use for regular recordings.
Weaknesses: Could not figure how to get my camera to connect to it to copy 8 mil.films.and it broke down right after the warranty went out with very little use.
Summary: It was easy to use and i liked it.Samsung sent it to me to replace another DVD-VR330 which had a bad DVD recorder and the warranty had just run out. Well they sent me the DVD-VR357 (that had no tuner in its place) The same exact thing happened to it. I did not use it much only to copy 5 tapes and I let it sit letting the warranty run out, thinking well I had one bad one surely this one would be ok. It wasn't I set it back up and the DVD would not record. Called SAMSUNG and they offered to fix it for 80.00.The replacement VR357 had no warranty. I mean it was the second one I surely was not going to pay to have it fixed. It will probably break down again :(
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| Date Reviewed: 03/09/2008 |
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 Bad Unit Strengths: HDMI
Weaknesses: Doesn't read store bought movies well.
Summary: Have had this unit for 6 months now been back for repair once and now it has stopped working again. If you buy it make sure to get extended warranty as the factory is only 3 months.
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