Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player
GREAT Recorder!!!  Fair Manual.. Wonderful Price!!!
As one who could consider themselves a videophile (I've had VCR's since 1977 (Beta and VHS), SVHS since 1988, Laser since the mid-80's, and DVD's for four years), I have been waiting for DVD recorders to crack the $1000.00 barrier.  When I started seeing them being listed on Amazon.com, I knew it would be only a matter of time before I bought one.  The reviews by consumers of the recorders on Amazon.com were great, once you separated those who expected the DVD recorders to be like a low-maintenance VCR from those who followed methodical steps when using a new product, the Philips DVDR985 looked like a good deal.<br />...While I'll honor Amazon's policy of not telling you what the price is until you put it into your cart, trust me, the price is even lower now than it was four months ago. And shipping was fast.  It left their store within two hours of the order and was delivered 1000 miles away in two days with standard shipping.<br />Philips makes good equipment, and this one is very versatile.  I have it hooked-up to SVHS/RCA inputs and outputs on my receiver to record from SVHS, Laser Discs, Beta, and satelite.  I also have it hooked-up to the 75-ohm lead from the cable.  As a recorder of video programs, it puts VCR recordings to shame, even those with flying erase heads.  While recording a live program, one can make a noise-less pause to omit commercials, and the problem with the creeping clock seems to have been resolved.<br />Recording quality depends on the quality of the source.  Trash-in yields trash-out, but if it's a good source, you'll have a great long lasting image. You can record at over 500 lines of resolution at the 1-hour and 2-hour settings per disc, and SVHS quality at the 3-hour setting.  The 4-hour setting is a little less, but much better than VHS.<br />The manual could be a lot better.  Someone's suggestion of reading the whole book first is a good one.  The quick start pages leave out the part about \\"finalizing\\" the DVD after finishing your recording (finalizing makes the DVD playable on other DVD players).  When reading the manual, have a couple of pages of note paper nearby.  Label one \\"steps in recording (including setting the timer),\\" another \\"setting recording speeds,\\" and another \\"setting recording inputs.\\"  Once you have that knowledge, you can begin recording and enjoying the equipment while reading the rest of the manual.<br />DVD recording is the future.  With the Philips DVDR985, the future is NOW!  If it came with a better manual, I'd say this one could be used by anyone, but until so, only someone who doesn't rush into recording should get this one.<br />Would I buy it again.  Yes.our recording (finalizing makes the DVD playable on other DVD players).  When reading the manual, have a couple of pages of note paper nearby.  Label one \\"steps in recording (including setting the timer),\\" another \\"setting recording speeds,\\" and another \\"setting recording inputs.\\"  Once you have that knowledge, you can begin recording and enjoying the equipment while reading the rest of the manual.<br />DVD recording is the future.  With the Philips DVDR985, the future is NOW!  If it came with a better manual, I'd say this one could be used by anyone, but until so, only someone who doesn't rush into recording should get this one.  <br />Would I buy it again.  Yes.