Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player
The Best DVD Recorder on the Market
I just can't let the last review go by without comment, especially given some plain errors in fact.<br />>>On VHS input, it suffers from signal drop, skipping over dropped out audio and video.<<<br />Video tape is far from the archival medium of choice, what with the ease at which the tape or its metallic coating can be affected. The quality of the tape, and thus recording, will deteriorate over time even if obvious damage to the tape cannot be seen by the naked eye. Now, the Philips DVDR985 will skip over dropouts in audio and video - but the cut it makes is clean. I thus have a clean DVD copy of a videotape without having to watch all the defects and glitches in the original tape itself.<br />It would be wise to also ensure that your VCR is in good working order and its heads are clean. But no DVD recorder will be able to bring back video or audio that has become damaged over time.<br />I have recorded several hours from various VHS casettes with very fine results. You won't get a recording that looks like a DVD from a VHS source, but all but the most hard to please users will be more than satisfied.<br />>>Also, be aware that this unit while it will play some DVD recordable formats it doesn't write to, it WON'T play pressed DVD-ROM, e.g. the DVD movies you buy in a store! The video keeps skipping, with no audio.<<<br />... I have been playing all sorts of pre-recorded DVD Video discs,... and all play with remarkable sound and picture quality (of course your TV and sound system will affect performance, but saying it won't play DVD movies from a store is pure BS).<br />It's an excellent player, incorporating the Crystal Clear Pro Progressive-Scan system with a sophisticated Motion Adaptive System (DCDi chip by Faroudja). This is well known to produce superior results. I am far happier with it than my previous highly rated Panasonic RP91K player.<br />>>Also, DVD+R, the write once/read many (WORM) DVD disc format, is only just now coming out, and, the entire DVD+ format is more expensive than the traditional DVD- format used in most other recorders. The DVD+ format was made to capitalize on a market without standards yet, so, don't be pulled into it.<<<br />...Microsoft has just put its backing behind the DVD+RW format so I hardly think that issues of expense or standards will be issues for too much longer. I have already played DVD+RW discs recorded on the DVDR985 on a Panasonic portable, my HP DVD+RW drive, and a standard Pioneer DVD player all with impressive results. ...If there is any DVD standard I'd put money on, it is DVD+RW. ...<br />In addition, this player has an iLink firewire input missing from some other recorders so you can connect digital camcorders. You also get both optical and coaxial digital outputs for digital receivers.<br />To sum up, this is the player to get if you are looking for a DVD Recorder for your home entertainment system. Sure these units are ...[pricy], but most newer technology usually is. This is a great DVD recorder and a superb DVD player. By all means get this most highly recommended item if you can.