Customer Reviews

Philips CDR785BK 3-CD Integrated CD Recorder

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I'm extremely happy with my Philips CD Recorder. It is simple to use, yet has a wealth of advanced features and the ability to record from just about any source that you can think of. I use this CD Recorder to record continuous DJ mixes off my vinyl records--it's fantastic because I can assign track numbers as I mix--that way, listeners don't have to fast forward through one long track to get to the part of the mix where they left off.

The only weird glitch that I encountered was a skip in a CD-RW that I recorded; however, when I made copies of the CD-RW, the skip disappeared on the copies.

Other pluses include the volume control on the headphone jack, which is not available on the cheaper models. Also, when copying continuous mix CDs, there are no gaps placed between the tracks, as often happens when duplicating mix CDs on a computer--you get a perfect bit-for-bit copy.

Please note that you need to purchase special digital audio CD-Rs and CD-RWs for this machine, so don't stock up on computer-grade CD-Rs (the correct CD-Rs say "Digital Audio" in the CD-R logo). The CD-RWs can be hard to find at electronics stores--easiest thing to do is run a search on Google.com for "CD-RW Digital Audio".

I've had previous Philips products before,so when I heard they were comng out with a 3-cd changer, I had to have it. Much to my suprise it was so affordable compared to its competitors with the same options. This certain model is loaded with features like: Mic record, program record, cd text, high-speed recording on interal and programing mode. This can also record off of any audio source. I recently recorded a live track from a home video. It sounds great! Overall, This model has it all: The right external connections, various internal recording modes and features, and it's so easy to use. Basically the directions are in the display. Great buy for the buck!

Absolutely the worst owner's manual EVER! But, with help from a really cheezy video Philips supplies with the CDR785 I was able to get started. This is the first CD recorder I've owned and, unlike some reviewer said, you don't "select the type of recording you'll be making, then you hit Record". It is so NOT that simple. However, once you figure out what you do have to do (Thanks again, Philips, for that literary masterpiece!) it is relatively simple to make fantastic sounding cd's. I scrapped 3 or 4 CDR's "discovering" the many features of this unit and I'm sure I haven't found them all. But, hey, at a buck a piece that's a cheap education. Since then I've been able to compile about a dozen great sounding cd's using the unit's 3 CD changer, my turntable, cassette deck, and my VCR, and they all play in all of our other cd players (portables included).

I would have given this unit 5 stars if it weren't for the (lack of) manual. Oh, and to the owners of this unit, to adjust the analog record level you depress the "REC LEVEL" and rotate the jog button while keeping the button depressed! Now, if I could just get a really good deal on 3000 DA-CDR's!

I was a little intimidated when I opened the box to discover the instructional video- Uh Oh! What was I in for? A friend had recently purchased a Pioneer CD Recorder and it took her a week to get the thing properly hooked-up and figured out. Yikes! I watched the stupid video and jumped into the instruction booklet - Needless to say I was up and running in less than an hour, putting records (remember those old things) onto CDs! Awesome! The sound quality is terrific, this thing is loaded with sensible options that enhance one's recording&listening pleasure. I have not had any problems using TDK CDR and CDRWs purchased off the shelf from the local Tower Records. Philips invented CD technology, and they continue to understand how to put this technology to work.

I have read the other review's and frankly the most accurate one was from the DJ. I bought this unit 1 week ago and have had NO difficulty recording on either cd-r's or cd-rw's. They are of the "DIGITAL AUDIO" variety, as the manual states they need to be. I had NO difficulty locating them at a music store and yes they are the 80min variety(and work fine).
Be sure to "FINALIZE" your cd after burning it or they will NOT play on ANY other cd player(it WILL however re-play on this unit unfinalized so don't be surprised it plays on the 785 but not elsewhere). I have recorded from the radio as well as a phonograph. No problem. You CAN adjust the record levels despite what others have said.(I beleive it even has an automated setting for keeping levels from different cd's equal when making mixed cd's)
Why only 4/5? 1- no digital output. 2- The users manual is not the greatest(but it is enough, despite the jumping around you need to do in it to find the info) and 3- The jog dial for track advancement(I like the skip button on the unit. However, that feature is on the remote).
The ONLY PROBLEM I have had using this unit so far is with entering and KEEPING the text. It usually works but not always. I am sure that it is due to user error(I've only had it a week!). That, people is also what I think most of the negative reviews are do to as well. Beware of USER ERROR!! Its not difficult to use this unit with great results. I'm no rocket scientist. Just pay attention. ENJOY!!!

My husband purchased the 785 from Sears, here in FL. We had never experienced any problems until recently during the Memorial Day weekend that the 80 minutes CD-R's did not work on this unit. After going to about 10 stores in 2 days and realizing that the only CD-R's that work on this unit is the Memorex cd recordable 74 minute cd's. Not to mention that none of the main stores in our area stock those anymore, so we decided to get the Memorex 80 minute CD-R cd recordable cd's and before we could even get started recording it stated "rec error". So, if there is someone who can email me and let me know what 80 min cd's work without any problems, I will gladly appreciate it..

I have shopped around for about a year looking for the right recorder and I've found it. The 785 is an excellant one with a few minor exceptions. The instruction book is not as clear as it could be and the video is just about useless fortunately I have been in electronics for many years and have used a cd burner on my computer. With a little reading and experimenting anyone will be able to use this recorder. If your not electronically inclined and have a friend who has a cd burner or some electronic knowledge give them a call. It is well worth the effort. The other problem is with Maxell cds, they do skip on other players so I would avoid them. I would suggest that when you buy your recorder pick up a CDRW music cd and practice on that. Maybe Philips should include one of those instead of the CDR disk. I would give this recorder a five if it were not for the instructions. The 785 is well worth the extra time you might spend learning how to use it.

I bought this CD recorder from a guy who advertised on craigslist. I didn't want to spend much money on a machine like that; it cost me $45. The guy told me to make sure to buy music CD-Rs. I went I bought a Pilips 30-spindle music CD-Rs. To my surprise, none of them ever worked. About half of them became coasters.
I then tried the Memorex brand, and it didn't work. All I got was "OPC error" on the screen. I was about to give up on the machine, and one day I went to a dollar store and bought a 32x Fujifilm all purpose CD. It worked perfectly. Next thing I did was to buy a 50-spindle Fujifilm all purpose CDs.
What I found out is that you have to make sure the CD-R recording speed has to be 32X. Then I bought a 10-pack TDK, and all worked well.
I honestly can't complain for the price I paid. Maybe I just wasted $10 in trial and error. I have been able to transfer tape recordings to CD with this machine. Not everything works perfectly, and I have tried almost everything with this machine, but I learned how to go around the problems.
Now I just copy CDs with my $15 Magic Spin CD burner from Office Depot. It's a lot easier to type the names of songs on the CDs, and they show on the screen of the Philips CDR785.

This unit performs magnificently. Watch for user error, though! Even after watching the accompanying instructional video which stresses TWICE that only CD-R(W) AUDIO CDs will work for recording, I went out and purchased the wrong kind. Buyer beware and be aware. In the store, you're likely to find the wrong kind of CDs shelved in the "audio digital" section. Just look closely and you'll be fine.

I bought several different brands of CDs and they all work beautifully, 74 minute and 80 minute CDs, CD-R and CD-RW.

It's true, operating the machine appears overwhelming at first, but the learning curve isn't too bad. Once you get rolling, you'll find that the manual provides important, necessary information. It's really quite simple and the final result is flawless.

If you can find one of these I HIGHLY recommend you pick it up, and enjoy!

Two years ago I purchaced a CDR785 recorder, in less than 4 months it self destucted. Philips, after 7 weeks sent me a "new" one,it work fine for about a year and then the cd burner portion of the unit went south. I complained bitterly to Philips in writing, never receiving so much as an OH! from them. I do have on record an e-mail that said they would reply to me via e-mail, no such reply came forth. As far as I am concerned Philips rates on a scale of 1 to 5 a MINUS 5. Buy the way I called the people who handle their parts and the price they quoted me was twice the price I paid for the unit. To end this negative leter I just want to say the unit no resides on a shelf in my basement gathering dust.One day I may give it a proper burial.
So you people out there be carful when you are out to buy a product by Philips. Their memory is short when it comes to replying to adverse e-mail.....One more thing I was quoted $716.33 for the parts to repair the unit, with a $200 core price. I saw the whole unit in a local wholesale club at a price of $285.00. Go figure......