Customer Reviews

Philips DVDR3545V/37 1080p Upscaling DVDR/VCR Combo with Built-In Tuner

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This is a good box. It replaces a separate DVD player and vhs player,
and can record dvd as well. It has a built-in digital tuner, and up-
converts whatever it plays to the resolution of the tv. It has a digital
output (HDMI) to go the tv.
In my application, I use the tuner on the house antenna to get "free-from-air" digital broadcasts, while the cable input goes
directly to the tv. I didn't realize how important the upconverting
feature was until I saw it - it makes old media look .. better.
In my copious spare time, I hope to convert vhs tapes I want to
save to dvd - this box can do that offline, and unattended.
good value for the money.

I was having problems coping from tape to DVD, the DVD would only play on their machine. I tried everything burned about 7 DVD's before I decide to call tech support which was very good. It turned out you can only use either Maxell or Philips DVD's. i when out purchase Maxell's and have no problems. Other then that the machine is great.

This was my second purchase of a combo recorder - it should have been my first! In late 2005 I bought an LG LRY-517 DVDR/VCR. The biggest mistake of my life! The LG had constant problems with both DVD and VHS playback. I thought this might be a universal problem with combos but, out of desparation and frustration with the LG, I bought this Philips combo. What a solid, reliable machine. My only complaint might be with the editting program. No big deal. As far as recording, dubbing VHS to DVD, and playback the Philips functions flawlessly. I might just buy another one...and throw the LG away!

Initially, I bought the Panasonic DMR-EZ47V, based on Consumer Report's high ranking. It was a glitchy, slow, maddening disaster. I returned it and got this Philips, and so far, no complaints. Turns on and changes digital channels reasonably quickly. Remote control makes sense. Doesn't crash unexpectedly. Pretty low standards, I realize, but after the Panasonic, I'm happy to have a machine that does the basics.

I am on a replacement unit---which turns out to be worse than the first. This machine's VHS recording results are so poor that you cannot tell what you are watching. This machine will play BUT NOT record to DVD.

And, Philip's customer service is anything but service. They continually put you off, insisting that they can only assist you by having someone return your call---and, of course, the return call never comes.

Save time, money, and negative feelings --- STAY away from Philip's products.

Works exactly as said. i have had no problems at all. Instructions are strait forward and clear. Recording and dubbing are easy and are very user friendly. I would buy this product agin. Thanks

Had a bunch of VHS taking up too much space and deteriorating in quality over time. This unit does a good job of dubbing from VHS to DVD. I use Sony DVD +R like the manual suggests and no problem viewing on other players after finalizing. Allows you to set chapters, titles, and title pictures. DVD quality is as good as the VCR tape you are dubbing. You can start and stop dubbing anywhere in the tape. Just beware - it does not allow you to dub any programs recorded on HBO whether or not it was originally recorded with this VCR. This product does exactly what it says it will and does it well.

I bought this 7 months ago and fell in love with it despite the fact that my machine was defective and kept locking up on me. Customer service at Philips is great, they had me pay shipping to return the machine, then sent a new one out (a month later). This one is great. I can play "finalized" CDs on all my other players, but the chapter marks I added don't carry over. Up until now, it received my over-the-air signal in exemplary fashion, but the tuner has appeared to have given out. I could watch TV while when I had a tape stopped, could watch a tape while recording a DVD from TV, could easily dub all my VHS tapes (in real time). Philips is willing to replace my machine again now that my tuner stopped working, I just pay shipping to them. The hardest part is going without my beloved machine for a month. It's really wonderful when it's working like it should.

Pros: It works...... sometimes.

Cons: It works...... sometimes. One of the worst electronics purchases I have ever made.

I am now using my second Philips DVDR3545V, after returning the first under warranty service. This is a combination DVD/VCR player/recorder that is supposed to record DVDs and VHS video tapes. I originally purchased it to play and/or record old VHS tapes onto DVD. The VHS drive on my first unit did not work after two months. After several very frustrating telephone calls to Philips Customer (no)Service, I returned it to Philips under warranty, but had to pay for shipping. The second unit freezes frequently while playing or recording both DVDs and VHS tapes, requiring me to unplug the unit. It has stopped working several times during recording from VHS to DVD, requiring me to begin recordings again and throw away several DVD-Rs in the process. A waste of money, and more importantly, much of my time.

March 2010 - Still using this occasionally for VHS and DVD playback, although it is quickly on it's way to the garbage. DVD playback on many DVDs (P90X workouts, movies longer than 1:20) causes freezing, and I cannot view the last 10-50 minutes of the DVD. I gave up on VHS-DVD dubbing.

Makes a great, very large paperweight.

I'm very happy with this player. It's extremely easy to set up and use. It does a terrifc job of copying VHS tapes and converting them to DVD, even on an old analog TV. With the built-in Digital Tuner I will have no trouble playing it on a HD TV. Great telephone support/help from the Philips people if you need it.