Philips DVDR75 Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder
Great concept - Lousy quality and service
I have had this machine for just two years and am ready to throw it out the window. I have to say the product design, ease of use, and so forth, are all fine. At first I was thrilled, transferring old VHS tapes to disc, and easily recording broadcast programs. After about 6 to 9 months, however, it started acting up. Endless &quot;disc errors&quot;, even during playback, which ruined previously recorded discs. It was often unable to get it to play or sometimes even recognize commercially produced discs, even brand new ones. It had continual problems with Memorex brand discs, and eventually I could only record to Philips discs. <br />  <br /> Philips tech support was utterly useless. Several phone calls led me to people who didn't know what to do, and gave me contradictory information. I upgraded firmware to no avail. Eventually, while it was still under warranty, I had to mail it at my own expense to Pennsylvania, which at the time was the only place authorized to do repairs. They kept the machine for over a month, never once responding to my attempts to find out whether they received it, or to tell me what was wrong with the machine. Eventually I got it back with no information other than that they had replaced a part. The machine worked normally for a few more months, and now the same problems are starting all over again. It has trouble reading commercial discs, gives error messages during recording, refuses to initialize discs, etc. Over the two years I've owned it, it has irrevocably ruined over $100 worth of discs. <br />  <br /> When it works, it's a wonderful machine, with many features and capabilities. But I've spent more time dealing with the problems than enjoying its good points. For a costly machine from a major company, I would expect better quality and far better service. I've been completely turned off the Philips brand. In searching for a replacement model I was almost tempted by the Magnavox, but it turns out they're owned by Philips and the interior components are of Philips manufacture. I'd be very leery of buying one until I heard more about their long term repair record. <br />  <br /> For a while I wondered if I had just gotten stuck with a lemon of a machine, but in checking on the Web, it seems that the problems I had are fairly common for this unit. I'd avoid it.