Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player
Impressed
With the limited experience I have with the DVDR985 Recorder I say it is worth the investment and I will rate it 4 star. However, Customer Service rates a big ZERO. <BR>Read on.<BR>As mentioned in one of the reviews, I downloaded the Owner's Manual from the Philips website and read it a few times. Having also read many of the reviews I decided I would order a DVDR985 Recorder.<BR> <BR>On December 31, 2002, I placed my order and promptly received it on January 6, 2003 at about 2:00 p.m. EST. I proceeded to unpack the recorder and started connecting per the instructions. After a few hours of frustration trying to follow the owners manual I decided to follow the directions on the front cover. \\"for fast help, call us first 1-800-531-0039\\"<BR> <BR>I must apologize for such a lengthy explanation, but if you have to contact Customer Service you need to know what to expect.<BR>At 3:40 p.m. I called the number listed above which was answered by an automated answering system prompting me to press 1 for an English speaking operator followed by 2 for a DVD Technician and was told to standby and my call would be answered in the order in which it was received. <BR>At 3:50 p.m. a live person requested my name, address and telephone number, they wanted to know what my problem was with what type of unit. We had great difficulty understanding each other and it took 6 minutes for me to make the operator understand my name, address and telephone number. <BR>My name and address are not lengthy, (my name has 12 characters, my street address 11, city & state 12 and my telephone number 10). <BR>At 3.56 p.m., I was put on hold until 4:05 p.m. when I was advised that a technician would contact me within the next 24 to 48 hours. I asked the operator if something more reasonable could be worked out as I could not set by the telephone for the next 24 to 48 hours. The operator repeated the same 24 to 48 hour comment. I went back to the manual and after another few more hours finally got the unitworking. <BR>I was never contacted within the next 24 to 48 hours.<BR> <BR>On January 16, 2003 I received an envelope postmarked January 13, 2003 with a letter dated January 8, 2003 from Philips Customer Service requesting I contact them, as I could not be reached at the telephone number I provided. <BR>On January 16, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. I called the number listed in the letter and after the usual automated answering system I was greeted by an operator and I requested to speak to the person that had signed the letter. I was put on hold for a brief period and the operator returned to say the technician had just stepped out to lunch and would return in about a half hour and assured me that the technician would return my call upon his/her return. The operator verified my telephone number. <BR>At 3:00 p.m. with no return call I called again and spoke to a different operator who told me that the person I requested was assisting a customer and when they were finished I would be the next one called. I asked how long I should wait before I called again in case I wasn't called. We agreed on 4:00 p.m.. This operator also verified my telephone number.<BR>At 4:00 p.m. I called and requested to speak to the same person and after a brief hold was told that the person was out to lunch and would return a call upon his/her return. I then asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that all supervisors were busy. \\"I give up!\\" <BR> <BR>I finally have this unit working and as luck would have it, my own DVD player will not play these recordings. The manual leaves a lot to be desired for connections and the DVD+R and DVD+RW explanations are quite an education. I have done much experimenting with HQ/SP/LP/EP and clearly HQ and SP are better. With some practice the operation is relatively simple and works quite well. <BR>With the treatment I received from Customer Service I should return the unit but my hands are tied and I am proceeding with the many hours needed to record 70 years of family gatherings and functions beginning in the 1930's obtained from 8 & 16 millimeter B/W movies through to present day digital video that must be preserved on DVD for further generations. <br />P.S. <BR>Today is January 20, 2003 and as yet I have not heard from anyone at Customer Service and yes I have caller ID and my phone does not block 800 numbers.<br />For your general information;<BR>After sending 2 letters by registered mail to two different Philips addresses,a service representative contacted me by phone on February 14,2003 at 8:10 P.M.EST