Customer Reviews

Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(86)

 

 

I just can't let the last review go by without comment, especially given some plain errors in fact.

>>On VHS input, it suffers from signal drop, skipping over dropped out audio and video.<<

Video tape is far from the archival medium of choice, what with the ease at which the tape or its metallic coating can be affected. The quality of the tape, and thus recording, will deteriorate over time even if obvious damage to the tape cannot be seen by the naked eye. Now, the Philips DVDR985 will skip over dropouts in audio and video - but the cut it makes is clean. I thus have a clean DVD copy of a videotape without having to watch all the defects and glitches in the original tape itself.

It would be wise to also ensure that your VCR is in good working order and its heads are clean. But no DVD recorder will be able to bring back video or audio that has become damaged over time.

I have recorded several hours from various VHS casettes with very fine results. You won't get a recording that looks like a DVD from a VHS source, but all but the most hard to please users will be more than satisfied.

>>Also, be aware that this unit while it will play some DVD recordable formats it doesn't write to, it WON'T play pressed DVD-ROM, e.g. the DVD movies you buy in a store! The video keeps skipping, with no audio.<<

... I have been playing all sorts of pre-recorded DVD Video discs,... and all play with remarkable sound and picture quality (of course your TV and sound system will affect performance, but saying it won't play DVD movies from a store is pure BS).

It's an excellent player, incorporating the Crystal Clear Pro Progressive-Scan system with a sophisticated Motion Adaptive System (DCDi chip by Faroudja). This is well known to produce superior results. I am far happier with it than my previous highly rated Panasonic RP91K player.

>>Also, DVD+R, the write once/read many (WORM) DVD disc format, is only just now coming out, and, the entire DVD+ format is more expensive than the traditional DVD- format used in most other recorders. The DVD+ format was made to capitalize on a market without standards yet, so, don't be pulled into it.<<

...Microsoft has just put its backing behind the DVD+RW format so I hardly think that issues of expense or standards will be issues for too much longer. I have already played DVD+RW discs recorded on the DVDR985 on a Panasonic portable, my HP DVD+RW drive, and a standard Pioneer DVD player all with impressive results. ...If there is any DVD standard I'd put money on, it is DVD+RW. ...

In addition, this player has an iLink firewire input missing from some other recorders so you can connect digital camcorders. You also get both optical and coaxial digital outputs for digital receivers.

To sum up, this is the player to get if you are looking for a DVD Recorder for your home entertainment system. Sure these units are ...[pricy], but most newer technology usually is. This is a great DVD recorder and a superb DVD player. By all means get this most highly recommended item if you can.

With the limited experience I have with the DVDR985 Recorder I say it is worth the investment and I will rate it 4 star. However, Customer Service rates a big ZERO.
Read on.
As mentioned in one of the reviews, I downloaded the Owner's Manual from the Philips website and read it a few times. Having also read many of the reviews I decided I would order a DVDR985 Recorder.

On December 31, 2002, I placed my order and promptly received it on January 6, 2003 at about 2:00 p.m. EST. I proceeded to unpack the recorder and started connecting per the instructions. After a few hours of frustration trying to follow the owners manual I decided to follow the directions on the front cover. "for fast help, call us first 1-800-531-0039"

I must apologize for such a lengthy explanation, but if you have to contact Customer Service you need to know what to expect.
At 3:40 p.m. I called the number listed above which was answered by an automated answering system prompting me to press 1 for an English speaking operator followed by 2 for a DVD Technician and was told to standby and my call would be answered in the order in which it was received.
At 3:50 p.m. a live person requested my name, address and telephone number, they wanted to know what my problem was with what type of unit. We had great difficulty understanding each other and it took 6 minutes for me to make the operator understand my name, address and telephone number.
My name and address are not lengthy, (my name has 12 characters, my street address 11, city & state 12 and my telephone number 10).
At 3.56 p.m., I was put on hold until 4:05 p.m. when I was advised that a technician would contact me within the next 24 to 48 hours. I asked the operator if something more reasonable could be worked out as I could not set by the telephone for the next 24 to 48 hours. The operator repeated the same 24 to 48 hour comment. I went back to the manual and after another few more hours finally got the unit working.
I was never contacted within the next 24 to 48 hours.

On January 16, 2003 I received an envelope postmarked January 13, 2003 with a letter dated January 8, 2003 from Philips Customer Service requesting I contact them, as I could not be reached at the telephone number I provided.
On January 16, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. I called the number listed in the letter and after the usual automated answering system I was greeted by an operator and I requested to speak to the person that had signed the letter. I was put on hold for a brief period and the operator returned to say the technician had just stepped out to lunch and would return in about a half hour and assured me that the technician would return my call upon his/her return. The operator verified my telephone number.
At 3:00 p.m. with no return call I called again and spoke to a different operator who told me that the person I requested was assisting a customer and when they were finished I would be the next one called. I asked how long I should wait before I called again in case I wasn't called. We agreed on 4:00 p.m.. This operator also verified my telephone number.
At 4:00 p.m. I called and requested to speak to the same person and after a brief hold was told that the person was out to lunch and would return a call upon his/her return. I then asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that all supervisors were busy. "I give up!"

I finally have this unit working and as luck would have it, my own DVD player will not play these recordings. The manual leaves a lot to be desired for connections and the DVD+R and DVD+RW explanations are quite an education. I have done much experimenting with HQ/SP/LP/EP and clearly HQ and SP are better. With some practice the operation is relatively simple and works quite well.
With the treatment I received from Customer Service I should return the unit but my hands are tied and I am proceeding with the many hours needed to record 70 years of family gatherings and functions beginning in the 1930's obtained from 8 & 16 millimeter B/W movies through to present day digital video that must be preserved on DVD for further generations.

P.S.
Today is January 20, 2003 and as yet I have not heard from anyone at Customer Service and yes I have caller ID and my phone does not block 800 numbers.

For your general information;
After sending 2 letters by registered mail to two different Philips addresses,a service representative contacted me by phone on February 14,2003 at 8:10 P.M.EST

I've had this Dvd Recorder by Phillips #985 for 2 months so far & Have recorded over 300 dvds. The last 4 weeks the recorder has had on going problems & recording errors! It's been coming up with a DB?????### ERROR. I've had to reboot & program the unit again & again! Sometimes it'll just shut off in the middle of recording & won't continue with the same disc. When it runs good it runs very good! When it runs bad it's horrible!!! At the moment it will only record dvdrw+ I can't get it to record the regular dvd+r disc. Hopefully it'll fix it self like it has in the past. I ran the diagnostic test on it & it passed??!!
So who knows? I was hoping for a little more dependability for what i paid for it. One question? Why doesn't Phillips have a list of the error codes in the manual??? It's too late to return so i'll just wait it out & see how it runs tommorow.
S.Martinez
Roseville CA

Just received this beauty four days ago and I have just finished completing transferring 8 hours of TV series off my Tivo onto two DVD+RW discs using this recorder (the series were tivo'd at "medium quality"). So, yes that means I recorded using the "EP" mode of the DVD recorder to yield maximum time.

I have found the picture quality to be superior to the copies that I have made off the same Tivo onto VHS tape at the "SP" speed of my JVC VCR. So far, I have had no problem playing these two discs recorded at "EP" mode on the DVDR985 on three other regular play-only DVD machines (a Pioneer, a DaeWoo, and a Sony). The only flaw is that the digital frame that the Philips captures and uses as part of its titling feature for the show quivers and is not still as when seen on the Philips that it was recorded on.

Test recordings I made of the recorder at the highest two modes were PHENOMENAL! Archiving any video at either the "HQ" or ""SP" modes looks great!

Finally, the ease of use is fantastic! The biggest problem I've had is when I give names to the recordings on the DVD+RW disc. Then I have to use the arrows on the DVDR985 remote to cycle through letters and numbers; if only a alphanumeric keypad were available!

I'm still exploring its features but so far have been very impressed with what I have seen!

Highly recommended! Look around, for good prices can be found!

I'm *very* pleased with this recorder, but I'd like to give one note of warning.

If you want to copy a tape from a VCR, I want to emphasize the importance of using a VCR with either a Component Video or S-Video out connector. Using the typical Composite Video connection can result in a pixalated image.

Bottom line - this Philips Recorder is a very simple and outstanding system!!

This is the first DVD recorder that allows us to replace the VCR completely!!! From a VHS 240 horizontal lines to a DVD 520 lines - what a difference. No - tape rewinding, tape wear, dirty VHS heads, endless search for a scene, space hogging large format.

Now lets cut to the chase. Yes the DVDR-985 Progressive scan (line doubler) Recorder & Player is pricey but this is simply what you have invested in. 1.) DVD+RW (re-writable DVD recording) you can record over & over again just like VHS tapes. DVD 120 minute = approximate resolution in HQ mode (High Quality) 520+ lines for 60 minutes or SP mode 480 lines for 120 minutes or LP mode 350 lines for 180 minutes or EP mode for 250 lines for 240 minutes. the +RW DVD play on almost all brands of DVD players. 2.) DVD+R one time write on DVD with same quality as DVD+RW's (price is half of a DVD+RW disc.) 3.) includes a tv yuner with VCR+Plus. 4.) PROGRESSIVE SCAN DVD ready. NOTE: you must have a Progressive Scan ready TV or HDTV. Simply this feature is a line doubler so you see a more defined/clearest picture available!!! 5.) Is FIREWIRE ready - this is for the pure digital picture transfer & digital sound from digital8 camcorders/digtial8 taperecorder or PC's. NOTE: this is a 4 wire Firewire so again you must have appropiate compatible equipment. Its works beautifully - I have transferred Digital8 camcoder tape directly with no signal loss. 6.) VHS or Super VHS tape transfer via composite video, S-video or component video with 2 channel stereo.

This DVDR-985 is the perfect digital upgrade system. Remember entering the world is expensive but once you jump to digital you will never look back. Why - perfect color pictures , flawless sound Dolby Digital & 5.1 ready, high resolution picture 520+ lines, instant visual search by title or chapter (you get to designate easy search with a visual picture and written heading on you DVD+R's & +RW's)

For your info the DVDR-985 68 page Users Manual can be down loaded from a website for your examination. This will answer your question!!! I love my unit and you will too once your ready for the world on Digital Home Theatre. Enjoy!!!

The quality of the recorder is excellent...the unfortunate part of the manual is that it's not real clear on the final step of making a disk. I was ready to return this unit since I made DVD's and couldn't play them either in my computer DVD drive or my regular home DVD player UNTIL I "Finalized" each DVD which then allowed me to do that.

If you hate video tape (like I do,) this may be worth the price.

I've copied VHS tapes of all qualities (except SVHS) using the composite video output (yellow jack), and they have all been as good as the original, with one exception:

I did experience fluctuating audio on one copy; I traced the problem to an inability to correctly match the tracking on the VCR to the tape. Viewed directly from the VCR, the problem was confined to the video and almost appeared to be the result of the age of the tape. On the DVDR, any video disruption affects the audio as well.

Copies of the DVD+R and DVD+RWs that I've made have come out perfectly.

Recordings off of cable made on SP are nearly indistinguishable from the live broadcast, although I have noticed that the recorded image is just the slightest bit darker.

The ability to put in chapter breaks and to make chapters hidden is great, and can be done to both DVD+RWs and DVD+Rs during recording *or* playback. (Before the DVD-R is 'finalized' for play on other machines, of course.) I've found that the cleanest way to put in the chapter breaks is to add the break while the playback is paused.

The only downside (other than the high price) is that DVD+RWs and DVD+Rs are not completely backward compatible. My 1 yr old DVD-ROM will not play DVD+RW, and my 5 yr old DVP (yes, that counts as an antique DVD player) does not recognize either. But as inexpensively as DVPs are priced, I just bought a new one.

I was skeptical about purchasing this product. There have been a number of ratings in which the user states that the completed DVD's are not compatible. I didn't want to spend that much money for a product with limited compatibility. I told myself I would immediately return it if I ran into the same problem.

After I set it up according to the directions, I recorded a DVD+R from cable. After the disk was FINALIZED, it ran in all brands of DVD players that I own. These include, Proscan(RCA), Samsung, and Pioneer units. The disk was compatible with ALL players I own. So far I have not run into any problems.

It is a little complicated regarding setting up and various recording options, but for a unit this complete that is to be expected. It is definitely not plug and play like a DVD Player.

My main use for this device will be to back up home videos and prerecorded videos on a more permanent format. I also want to download pictures from my digital camera onto a DVD so I can send them to family members to watch on their television.

In conclusion, except for a complicated setup and directions, this unit works perfectly. I will be using DVD+RW soon and hope they are also trouble-free. I have not encountered any compatibility issues previously encountered. If I do have problems in the future, I will come back and revise this review.

Good luck with your purchase.

Unless you have a wad of cash lying around that you don't need, don't waste your money on what I consider a piece of junk! Others in these reviews have had the exact same problems that I have had, so I know it is not just me. I bought my unit a year ago, and unless they have GREATLY improved the machine, I would not pay five dollars for this unit. Allow me to elucidate...

The machine worked fine for about a month or two after I got it hooked up. I was a happy camper. Then the problems began. It started with the DVD+Rs. Some of this may be a bit hard to believe, but it is all true. I started getting numerous disc errors when I would try to record, or in a lot of cases even play, a DVD. I could not get the unit to play store bought DVDs. As far as the disc errors go, here is the short list - "Disc Contains Unknown Data", "Disc Warning", "Disc Error" - that is if it would read the discs at all! And get this - I would get "Disc Contains Unknown Data" errors on BLANK DISCS!!!! So I call Philips technical support. What a joke! I am surprised these people can find the floor when they get out of bed in the morning! At a point when I could have returned the unit, Technical Support assured me that a firmware upgrade would fix my problems, and they sent me an upgrade disc. When I got the disc and put it in the recorder to do the update, THE UNIT COULD NOT EVEN READ THE DISC!!!! Finally I got it to load, but it did not help at all. At this point, I was beyond the point of exchanging it, so once again I was on the phone with tech support. This went on for months, with them offering various ineffective solutions. Finally they say "Well, it must be a defective unit!" Duh! I sent it in for repair (which is one good thing I can say, the repair was made quickly!) and when I got it back it worked fine - for about a month again. Then, guess what? Same problems, only now the DVD+RW discs were being corrupted as well! Now, here I sit, packing the unit once again to send in for repair. I wrote a scathing letter to Philips Customer Service, asking that they refund at least part of my money. Their response? Call our DVD+R Technical Support Experts! I did, and the only advice that these "experts" could give me was to send it in for repair again. They did offer to reimburse me for the hundreds of corrupted discs I have stacked all around, but only if I had the receipts! (Acutally, they did not offer until AFTER I had demanded that they do!)
So, the warranty is about to expire, and I am going to have to spend another hundred dollars to extend the warranty on the unit, because goodness knows I am gonna need it! If I am lucky, I get maybe two good discs out of every five attempts. It ranges from 0/5 to 2/5.
...If you are considering purchasing one, DO NOT DO IT!!!!

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