Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player
Great product at a high price
If you hate video tape (like I do,) this may be worth the price.<br />I've copied VHS tapes of all qualities (except SVHS) using the composite video output (yellow jack), and they have all been as good as the original, with one exception:<br />I did experience fluctuating audio on one copy; I traced the problem to an inability to correctly match the tracking on the VCR to the tape. Viewed directly from the VCR, the problem was confined to the video and almost appeared to be the result of the age of the tape. On the DVDR, any video disruption affects the audio as well.<br />Copies of the DVD+R and DVD+RWs that I've made have come out perfectly.<br />Recordings off of cable made on SP are nearly indistinguishable from the live broadcast, although I have noticed that the recorded image is just the slightest bit darker.<br />The ability to put in chapter breaks and to make chapters hidden is great, and can be done to both DVD+RWs and DVD+Rs during recording *or* playback. (Before the DVD-R is 'finalized' for play on other machines, of course.) I've found that the cleanest way to put in the chapter breaks is to add the break while the playback is paused.<br />The only downside (other than the high price) is that DVD+RWs and DVD+Rs are not completely backward compatible. My 1 yr old DVD-ROM will not play DVD+RW, and my 5 yr old DVP (yes, that counts as an antique DVD player) does not recognize either. But as inexpensively as DVPs are priced, I just bought a new one.