Sylvania DVR90VF DVD Recorder/VCR Combo
Sylvania DVR
Recently purchased this item, based primarily on price and the convenience of having VHS and DVD functionality within the same unit. While some other reviewers seem to have had some difficulty with the unit, I have not experienced any significant issues. <br />Positive Aspects: The unit burned VHS to DVD without difficulty and the final DVD's have played without any trouble in other DVD players. Currently have converted around 20 tapes to DVD, and have not had a bad burn session. The unit provides basically one button copying from VHS to DVD; an appreciated feature. <br />Also the unit has several input sources, both in front and in back, which makes it easier to plug in a video recorder, or other input source. Especially if you place the unit within an entertainment center and do not want to continually move the unit to access jacks. Provides separate output from the DVD and VHS sides of the unit, ensuring little drop off in picture quality from DVD's, as would be experienced with those units whose output is solely through VHS connections. Depending on the television however, one should not use the standard channel 3 or 4 input for DVD play, as the picture quality is lower. Instead, using the alternative input 1 or 2 channels provides appropriate quality from the S video cable. Upshot, you need to use different channels to watch channels coming from the VHS and DVD options to preserve picture quality. <br />Negative Aspects: One complaint is that tracking adjustments made to the VHS tape do not appear to be retained once one begins to record onto the DVD. This does affect the final outcome, of course. <br />Secondly, there is a low level hum that emanates from the player. This appears louder when the unit is set to VHS rather than DVD. Noticeable primarily when TV volume is muted, or off. <br />Remote has some nice functions built in but feels a little flimsy in the hand. Not as solid or as well built as other remote units. <br />Overall, the unit is recommended with the caveat that one should shop around.