Philips DVDR3475/37 DVD Recorder

Likes:
These recorders work fine. Clock is accurate. Menu interface is good. Remote is good. HDMI output via internal up-converter. Built in Standard Definition Digital TV Tuner (SDTV). Price is great - less than $100 delivered for a refurbished unit.

Dislikes:
Works like a VCR: cannot watch a recorded or recording title while recording.

Records in standard definition.

Only fully compatible with other Philips DVD recorders.
I bought 2 of these to replace LiteOn DVD recorders that do not tune digital broadcast TV. I use 2 recorders to record multiple programs simultaneously and to view recordings in multiple rooms. I use Verbatum DVD+RW discs exclusively.


I find that only DVD recorders of the same brand are fully compatible. For example, most DVD+RW discs recorded on my units of one brand will play on the other brand. however, some will not load. DVD+RW discs recorded on either LiteOn or Philips units cannot be recorded to or individual titles deleted on the other brand. The only disc editing action possible is to erase the disc, which formats it in the unit's proprietary format (LiteOn or Philips).

Conclusion:
If you want a VCR like DVD recorder with SDTV tuner built in, this is a bargain choice that works well.

For the price, this is a great DVD Recorder. I've used it to record 3 things from my DVR in the past couple of days. I replaced my broken GoVideo R6750 (http://www.amazon.com/Go-Vide​o-R6750-GoVideo-Recorder/dp/B0​00A5LT7S) which I've had for about 4.5 years. I don't know if this is an issue with my cable company (Time Warner) or this recording device however, I had a movie that I saved to my DVR and watched from Encore then wanted to put it on DVD afterward and received the following error message (from page 102 EN) from the Trouble Shooting section: Recording Error: This program is NOT recordable in +VR mode. Cause: You are trying to record the copy-once program. Solution: You cannot record the copy-once program. Haven't tested my theory yet however, I've scheduled the same movie to record sometime soon and plan to not 'view' it prior to recording, am going to just try to record it directly to the DVD Recorder instead. If I had success, I will paste an updated to this review.

Otherwise, except for the fact this remote doesn't have a 'guide' to remind me to finalize the DVDs when finished (there'a an option for auto finalize at end of timer or when disc full) but I prefer to personally finalize manually so far, I do like this machine. Recording quality is better than the GoVideo machine.

After a good deal of research for a DVD player/recorder with tuner I decided to give this model a try. Setting-up went well and everything appeared to be working properly EXCEPT I could not get it to play my JPEG CDs (which play OK on my two DVD players). So I called Phillips' technical help. I did not have to wait for a technician and after a reasonable discussion he agreed to send out a replacement unit. Unfortunately the second unit had the same problem so Phillips agreed to due "a buyback". I do appreciate the good tech support I received from Phillips. I just received a TOSHIBA DVR660 to try but it has the SAME problem. ???? Is there not a recorder/player that will play my JPEG CDs? Maybe I will just have to be satisfied with showing them on my smaller TV sets with DVD players.

This is my first DVDR after I have been using only computer for writing DVD movie. The outlook is pretty nice. Good shape. All function are working appropriately. HDMI 480, 720, 1080i,p works fine with your monitor or TV. 2 sets of input (AV, SVideo) and one DV in. Easy to record video, just one button. Recommend this product. :)

Con: Only NTSC and ZONE 1 (US) works fine with this DVDR. No hacking code. All function is on the remote, make sure you get one.

Very easy to use recorder, to set up to record and to play dvd's. Fast forwards dvd more like a VCR, so you can see where you are at on the disk. Record quality good in highest mode but only able to record one hour at that mode. The upconverting mode is great for dvd's to watch. Good recorder for the once in a while recording.