Sylvania DVD Recorder/VCR Combo Model SSR90V4

by Sylvania

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 23 pounds
• ASIN: B000B3BU5K
• Item model number: SSR90V4
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,316 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 20, 2005

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Device is very picky about recordable DVD media formats, December 6, 2005

By 

Tim A. Monahan-mitchell (Mahomet, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sylvania DVD Recorder/VCR Combo Model SSR90V4 (Electronics)

This item looks like a good deal. However, the fine print is that it will NOT work with these DVD media formats:

- DVD-R General Ver 2.0 / 8x
- DVD-RW Ver 1.2 / 2-4x CPRM compatible

The manual recommends "DVD-R R4.7" and DVD-RW. I have read other sources that say the recommended type of DVD-R discs are video only, not video/data.

Read the Funai product manual pages to see what it says before you buy this unit. Search for SSR90V4 here: http://www.sylvaniaconsumerelectronics.com/support/manuals.aspx .

Since a major feature of this unit is the DVD record feature, I consider it a major limitation that it appears to not accept the most common DVD-R format on the market. Hence, 2 stars.

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Update (10-Jan)

I was later able to locate the type the manual calls for and it does work. However, I also called the support line, and they have available a free 8x firmware upgrade which they sent me and I have updated my unit.

Tech support will want you to tell them the software version of your unit. To make the unit display it, the procedure is to press this sequence of buttons on the remote control, rapidly: CMSKIP-1-2-3 (CMSKIP is a button). A screen should appear on your TV displaying the Model and two firmware versions. The last line of my firmware read, "FE R15_033MST040909F". The "R15" was the significant portion that they needed in my case. Probably best to copy down the entire screen if yours is different.

Note, when you call tech support, you may be in the queue briefly (less than 2 minutes) and then be sent to a place to leave a voice message. Hang up and call back again. Eventually, you will be connected to a live person. Also, if you hear a person pick up the line briefly and then it goes back to waiting, this is a good sign, as they will eventually answer; a person may pick up briefly several times before you actually get someone, but at least it stops dumping you to voice mail. A poor system no doubt, but that is how to get through it.

When you get the update disk, you have to call back again to get the install procedure that goes like this (at least for my R15 update). READ BEFORE STARTING:

1. Remove any tape or disc in the unit
2. On the remote, press CMSKIP-6-5-4 rapidly. You should get a screen indicating firmware update.
3. Insert the CD into the unit. The timer display on the unit will show 2:00 and count down two minutes.
4. When it completes, the tray will eject the disc. Remove the disc, but LEAVE THE TRAY OUT.
5. Press the power button to turn the unit off. After about 15 seconds, the tray will go in, and the update is completed.

The upgrade CD I received is not labeled with any copyright notice, so, I am willing to send a copy of it if I am sent a self-addressed, stamped mailer. Contact me via this posting. The reason is, I spent a lot of time in the queue of their tech support, and I am willing to let people avoid this. Note, if you do not have software version R15, then you have to get your own update disc.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No good Technical/Customer Service support..., January 10, 2008

By 

Ronald McDonald "yankee07mvp" (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sylvania DVD Recorder/VCR Combo Model SSR90V4 (Electronics)

I bought two identical units, (same model #, different s/n's, of course), on the same day about a year ago. I, too, found they are extremely picky about the DVD's used, (as per their manual), which were hard to find now-a-days. I successfully used TDK, and Fuji DVD-RW, 4.7, 2x when I first got these units. I heard about the 8X DVD firmware upgrade for these units and called Customer/Technical Support.

The following information was also sent to me and may be helpful to some users:

"Below is a list of discs that should or should not be used with these recorders:

"DVD-R
4x can be used
8x will result in a disc error.

"DVD-RW
2x can be used
4x will result in a disc error.

"The following discs have been tested and are proven to be compatible with our DVD recorders.

MEMOREX DVD-R
FUJIFILM DVD-R
FUJIFILM DVD-RW
IMATION DVD-RW
IMATION DVD-R 2.0
TDK DVD-RW 2X
TDK DVD-R 2X

"The following are brands of discs we DO NOT recommend:

MEMOREX DVD-RW
SONY DVD-RW
SONY DVD-R
TDK DVD-RW 4x
TDK DVD-R 4x

"Please be aware that a free software upgrade is now available to customers. This upgrade will enable your unit to recognize the (DVD-R 8x) discs. To obtain a copy, please call 1-800-242-7158. Customer service by phone is available 7 days a week 6:00am to 9:00pm pacific time.

I did, in fact, receive and install the 8X DVD upgrade disk. It "successfully" installed on both of my units, however, from that day forward, one unit would not record on the same DVD's I was previously using, nor would it even play rental DVD's that would play on the other unit. When I called their Customer/Tech support number back, I was told to unplug the unit's power cord overnight, and when I powered it back up again the next day, it's orginal firmware would be restored on that unit. Well, long story short, I did that, but it still didn't work as it had orginally worked, even with the right DVD's or pre-recorded, playback-only DVD's. One last call to Customer Service/Tech support, and I was told the 8X upgrade only "works" 50% of the time and they were sorry but they didn't know what else to tell me to do, to even restore it to it original, but limited DVD recording abilities and/or playback abilities.

Buyer beware of this unit. Maybe if there were competent technical support for this product, I would not being having this problem now, as functionally the unit seems to run and tries to work, but alas, there is none at their listed Customer/Tech support number. Good Luck.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this DVD recorder, May 28, 2007

By 

Christian J. Rhea - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sylvania DVD Recorder/VCR Combo Model SSR90V4 (Electronics)

I have owned it for about 2 years. I worked reasonably well for about a year (although I had to have them send the 8X software upgrade). Now it is worthless. Wont even play a standard DVD. Of course the warranty is expired. I would pass on this unit.