RCA DRC8300N DVD Player/Recorder and VCR Combo
Pretty Decent for the price
I previously reviewed this item in August of 2004,so here is an update:<br />I bought this unit several months ago and there was a $50 rebate, so for under $400 I think it was a good deal. This recorder is not for those who can't figure out how to program a VCR or are not electronically inclined. It takes some trial and error to figure out exactly how to operate the many features, and the manual can be confusing. Since DVD recording is still pretty much in its infancy, I would imagine that most, if not all, DVD recorders in this price range on the market today have issues with compatibility (with blank DVDs)and other technical problems.<br />Like other reviewers, I had some issues with freezing and things like that. I've learned that I have to be patient with this recorder and not try to press different buttons on the remote too quickly (you know how some people click the computer mouse too much before the computer has a chance to respond which causes the computer to freeze or act up? This recorder is sorta like that). But I have recorded nearly 70 DVDs and I've had few problems.<br />I like the idea that I can finalize DVDs when I want to. For instance, I recorded some camcorder tape footage onto a DVD but there was still space left on the DVD so I can add more later until I finalize it. Each time you stop a recording, the recorder will add a new title (which you can delete if you want)to the DVD when you start recording again, so you can have a DVD with say, \\"kid's party\\", \\"baseball game\\", and \\"backyard BBQ\\" which will be separated on the disc so you can playback only those parts you'd like to see or show your friends.<br />I've recorded many movies off the Satellite onto DVDs and they come out as good as what you'd see on the TV--and much better than a VCR tape. I have about 50 movies in my collection now that I recorded onto DVDs which more than makes up for the cost of the recorder. Overall I have to give the RCA recorder 4 stars instead of the previous 3 just because of that.