Philips DVDR80 Progressive Scan DVD Player / Recorder
Good...but not great
Ok, first let me tell you the pros and cons...<br />I'll start with the cons (it's tradition, right?):<br />CONS:<BR>I'm a consumer that likes to keep things simple, flexible, and solid. I dislike &quot;features&quot; that get in your way. The Guide+ is one of those features. Some people might like the ease of entering a &quot;code&quot; and then sitting back and let the recorder do the work. But, this &quot;guide&quot; seems to get in the way. The comment from the other poster is right. The timer guide disables the the external connections (1 and 2). The timer is only used for recording timed TV or cable. Just to be fair, I don't normally time my DVD recorder to record a VHS tape. So, I really don't need to &quot;time&quot; a VHS (external 1) or Laser Disk recording because I have to BE THERE to press play, don't I? The timer works fine for recording a TV/Cable show (which is the ANTENNA/CABLE connection; Coaxial). The external 1 and 2 connections are used for VHS or Laser disk (RCA cables).<br />Next, the software is a little on the slow side (the software that actually runs the DVD player). The commands (record, stop, play, pause, guide, etc) take second to respond. The DVD recorder seems to be &quot;thinking.&quot; So, make sure you aren't in a rush when pressing buttons. You must be very deliberate on the &quot;button pressing.&quot;  Don't press a button, and then start pressing the buttons again because it didn't respond fast enough. Patience, we're only talking a second. It would be nice if the commands were faster, though.<br />The DVD recorder seems to designed as a &quot;cable tuner (just like VCRs)&quot; That's where you plug your cable line directly from the wall to your DVD recorder. But this is not the case for most homes. Most people I know have a CABLE BOX. And they use that box to control the channels. Not a VCR or DVD recorder's tuner. So, a lot of features on this DVD recorder will not be used (Guide+ is one of them). Also, the channel scan is useless because the only channel you need is 3 or 4. From then on you just use your own cable box to change channels (while keeping the DVD recorder on 3 or 4). The auto date/clock sync feature is not used too if you use a cable box. <br />Also, I you plan on using a cable box, don't use the G-Link. The G-link is a cable that runs from the back of the DVD recorder to the front of the cable box. It' used to change the channel of your box (timer recordings). But if you use a cable box, the Guide+ forces you to chose a channel. If you need to record channel 44 on the cable box, but at the same time you need the DVD recorder set to 3 or 4. You can't use the G-link, because it changes the 3 or 4 channel to 44. HELLO! Channel 44 on the DVD recorder has NO PICTURE. Channel 44 on the cable box does have a picture. But you need the DVD recorder to STAY on 3 or 4. The G-link seems to have a mind of its own too. When you turn the DVD recorder off, it scan the channels. It must be trying to find more channels because it's &quot;hungry?&quot; Not sure.<br />PROS:<BR>The quality of the picture from recording has been very good...<BR>The recoding mode (speed) is a very useful feature. You can choose from:<BR>M1 = One hour recording, DVD quality<BR>M2 = Two hour recording, Near DVD quality<BR>M2x = Two 1/2 hour recording, S-VHS quality)<BR>M3 = Three hours recording, S-VHS quality)<BR>M4 = Four hours recording, VHS quality)<BR>M6 = Six hour recording, VHS quality)<BR>M8 = Eight hour recording, LP VHS quality)<br />For me, I found M3 the best for my needs. Very good quality picture, and 3 hours of recording. I've recorded my old Laser disks and cable. Both times I've used 2x or 3. And I like the picture quality. M1 is DVD quality, but it's too short (one hour).<br />Next, I like the fact that I can use DVD+R and DVD+RW for recording. The DVD+R will play in most DVD players. They play in my dad's player (Sony) and my own Playstation 2. So, DVD+R is compatible with most brand DVD players. The DVD+RW discs have been very useful for recording something and then erasing it for my next recording. This saves money for +RW discs. For permanent copies, use the DVD+R. <br />Although this DVD recorder records on DVD+R and +RW only, it PLAYS almost every type of disk:<BR>DVD Video<BR>DVD-R<BR>DVD-RW<BR>Audio CD<BR>Video CD<BR>Super Audio CD<BR>Super Video CD<BR>CD-R (Audio/MP3)<BR>CD-RW (Audio/MP3)<BR>...and of course, it plays DVD+R and DVD+RW.<br />Overall, I'd give this player a B- on some features and a C+ on other features. It's a good recorder/player, but not great.<br />Since DVD recorders are relatively new, I didn't expect much. My next purchase I'll probably look at the Panasonic or Sonys.