Philips DVDR80 DVD Recorder (Philips-DVDR80)

Reviewed by: mrsbvm

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: TV recording and programming is simple.

Weaknesses: Recorder is not easy to use. Loss of picture quality watching or recording a videotape. Multiple recording problems, damaged a few DVD+RW's.

Overall Evaluation: I have numerous problems recording videotapes (VHS). Most of the problems are poor picture quality, especially with animated programs recorded from VHS videotape and even a few color movies. Some of them are literally unwatchable. They are either washed out, especially in scenes with very light backgrounds, or they look like an overexposed picture. At times the recorder is very slow to respond especially when I stop the "record" mode. The unit will continue to flash "POSTFRMT" or "MENU UPDT" for a long time. Sometimes the unit will not respond to input from the remote. I've had to reset the unit a few times and have had to unplug the unit many times to stop it when frozen in a certain mode. Calling Philips support has been marginally helpful. The Owner's Manual is incomplete. It doesn't explain everything nor does it explain it very well. I can't say I wouldn't buy this again but I am disappointed in its performance for the price. Black and white movies copy the best from VHS and I'm happy about that. Animated programs haven been disappointing for the most part. Even just watching a videotape from a VCR through the unit is disappointing. When I've watched the same videotape on another TV with only a VCR the picture quality is better. Maybe this is just the nature of these things but I had hoped for better results. I am waiting for upgraded software for this unit from Philips.