Samsung SV-5000W Worldwide VHS Format VCR
Worked well for about 5 years; plan to buy another now it's died
Original review, February, 2006.<br /><br />I bought my SV-5000W four-five years ago (maybe even more), and had very few problems with it. It has never been in for repair. Sometimes there were problems with individual rental tapes (NTSC), but the conversions worked well. I was able to put together movies on computer (using an NTSC DV camcorder) and play them to the VCR for recording in PAL to send to relatives overseas with no problems. PAL tapes from UK, Australia, NZ, etc., worked very well. Stereo sound was another plus.<br /><br />I never had the snow problem (other than on individual tapes) and never noticed a problem with the unit being particularly hot. I rarely cleaned the heads. As my main VCR, it worked very well, also acting as the tuner for the whole system. A later DVD player plays through the VCR to the TV, allowing non-NTSC DVDs to be converted as well. I don't have much need for SECAM-L, so I haven't missed that option, PAL being the big one for me.<br /><br />Many of the neat features were not used much by me. I preferred editing material on computer, then sending it to the VCR for recording on tape. Direct burning of a DVD has become the common approach now, but my parents don't have a DVD player and want videos of the kids, so....<br /><br />I was very happy with the VCR, but last week (while I was away), the VCR died. It appeared to be producing some snow or something, so the cleaning cassette was put in by my kids. It's still in there! A discussion with the local repairer suggests about $250 and 2-3 weeks' wait. I seem to recall paying over $500 for the VCR originally, and the price seems to have dropped 50% or so since then. At the time, it was the best option available for a multi-format VCR (given price and other machines available). Most retailers had never heard of such a machine, and anything comparable was several hundred dollars more again, plus the need for a video converter after that.<br /><br />I think I will simply buy another VCR the same (the SV-5000W). Looking at the reviews, there do seem to be problems, but we'll just have to hope for another good one. The VCR's use will decrease a bit with DVDs becoming more common in our house, but we still need to convert video back and forth from time to time.<br /><br />Looking at another on-line store, it appears that the SV-5000W is being discontinued, although it is still in stock at this time. There appear to be few other VCRs (if any) that allow you to play almost any video on whatever TV you have, a big attraction for the SV-5000W. The need for an external video converter (or a multi-system TV), in addition to the VCR, adds to the price significantly, as these are another couple of hundred dollars (or perhaps rather more for a TV).<br /><br />In summary, I had several years of good service from the unit and am prepared to buy another one, especially as there appears to be no other VCR with a built-in video converter, and when you add the cost of a decent one to a multi-system VCR, the SV-5000W is rather cheaper.<br /><br />Update in May, 2006. I did buy this unit, installed it and it has worked flawlessly since. Recommended if you can get one!eviews, there do seem to be problems, but we'll just have to hope for another good one. The VCR's use will decrease a bit with DVDs becoming more common in our house, but we still need to convert video back and forth from time to time.    Looking at another on-line store, it appears that the SV-5000W is being discontinued, although it is still in stock at this time. There appear to be few other VCRs (if any) that allow you to play almost any video on whatever TV you have, a big attraction for the SV-5000W. The need for an external video converter (or a multi-system TV), in addition to the VCR, adds to the price significantly, as these are another couple of hundred dollars (or perhaps rather more for a TV).    In summary, I had several years of good service from the unit and am prepared to buy another one, especially as there appears to be no other VCR with a built-in video converter, and when you add the cost of a decent one to a multi-system VCR, the SV-5000W is rather cheaper.    Update in May, 2006. I did buy this unit, installed it and it has worked flawlessly since. Recommended if you can get one!