Samsung DVD-R120 Progressive Scan DVD Recorder
So far, so good!
This unit burns DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, but I'll mostly use DVD-R because it's the most reliable, and it's what I'm use too. My goal is to use DVD-R for recording TV shows that I want to keep like all thoese old episodes of StarTrek. I'll burn once, then finalize, and add it to my collection. But other shows like 24, CSI, and Alias will get burned to DVD-RW, then once watched, I'll re-format the RW disc, and use it again.<br /><br />I made a test recording last night of BattleStar Galactica: Season 2/Episode 2. I used the timer recording setting at 1 hour, and it worked great! All I had to do was finalize the disc with a few clicks on the remote after the recording was done. And the finalizing only took 3min's......Wow! I hear that some of the other DVD recorders take up to 45min-1Hr to finalize a 1Hr recording.<br /><br />The finished DVD played very well, no skips, and great sound. This episode of BattleStar Galactica took place on the Galactica when the ship had no power, so most of the scenes were shot in dim light, and it was hard for me to tell if the the Samsung's recording was darker than normal. So I did a \\"One Touch Recording\\" of some TV talk show (I don't remember which one), and it looked great, nice & bright!....I'm happy!!!<br /><br />The Samsung DVD-R120 has several recording speeds:<br /><br />FR.........Flexable Recording (Auto Adj.)<br /><br />EP.........Extended Play (6-8Hrs)<br /><br />LP.........Long Play (4Hrs)<br /><br />SP.........Standard Play (2Hrs)<br /><br />XP........High Quliaty (1hr)<br /><br />I'm sure I'll be recording in XP mode, why go for anything less.<br /><br />I only have 2 gripes so far.<br /><br />No.1 The execution of commands from the remote are a bit slow, but they work. The remote it self feels cheap and clunky. The buttons wiggle, and pop when you press them. I plan to copy the codes to a learning universal remote control to spare the Samsung's remote the ware & abuse.<br /><br />No.2 In order to view the menu or playback any DVD from the Samsung DVD-R120 you must use RCA type cables pluged into the Audio/Video Line Out connectors on the back of the unit. Simply connecting you Cable Box/Satellite Recievers coaxial cable to the unit won't work. Passing video playback through the coaxial cable is standard, I'm sure of it. Why the Samsung won't allow this is a mystery to me, so go ahead and use the RCA cables.<br /><br />I'm going to pony up only 4 out of 5 Stars because of the cheap remote, and the RCA cable thingy. This is my first set-top DVD Recorder, and with any luck....my last.<br /><br />Posted in Reviews | Eyback any DVD from the Samsung DVD-R120 you must use RCA type cables pluged into the Audio/Video Line Out connectors on the back of the unit. Simply connecting you Cable Box/Satellite Recievers coaxial cable to the unit won't work. Passing video playback through the coaxial cable is standard, I'm sure of it. Why the Samsung won't allow this is a mystery to me, so go ahead and use the RCA cables.<br /><br />I'm going to pony up only 4 out of 5 Stars because of the cheap remote, and the RCA cable thingy. This is my first set-top DVD Recorder, and with any luck....my last.<br /><br />Posted in Reviews | E