Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and Player

Other products by Philips

Product Details

Product Manual [2.40mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 16 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005YXZE
• Item model number: 985
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (157 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,776 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 12, 2002

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Based on DVD+RW technology, the Philips recordable DVDR985 delivers DVD-level video and lets you transfer your camcorder footage--birthday parties, holidays, vacations--on a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc. You then can play the recordings back on most existing and future DVD players.

DVD+RW discs are great for editing and re-recording on DVDs, and a DVD+R is the lower-cost alternative for preserving special occasions like your daughter's wedding; it won't allow someone to mistakenly record over those treasured moments. A digital i.Link data transfer connection (IEEE-1394) transfers MiniDV camcorder video to DVD, preserving the footage in high-quality digital picture and sound. It also includes a component-video input, which offers a high-quality analog connection to turn your collections of VHS tapes into higher-quality digital recordings.

To simplify recording so that anyone in the family can create a home movie, the recorders create an index picture screen automatically. Similar to a prerecorded DVD movie, the picture screen lets you see what has been recorded and how much disc space is available. With the push of a button on the remote control, you can start playing a recording--no winding or rewinding and no need for a visual search. Now family reunions, dance recitals, and little league baseball games can be captured in digital quality forever and enjoyed immediately.

Using the recorder to capture your favorite TV show or baseball game on DVD is as easy as pressing a button. Any time during the program, you can press the record button, and the DVD recorder will start to time-shift automatically. And Philips DVD recorders not only record, they also offer convenient editing features that allow you to do linear editing directly on the recorder, using the TV as a display.

In addition, the DVD+RW discs are interchangeable between PCs and TVs. You can record something with a camcorder, store or edit it onto a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc with a Philips DVD recorder, edit it through a Philips DVD+RW PC drive, and play it back on most existing DVD players or DVD-ROM drives. The next time you want to show someone at the office your improved golf stroke from your latest golf lesson, it may be as easy as popping the DVD into your computer.

To ensure compatibilty between discs recorded on Philips DVD recorders, and for enhanced picture quality, the recorders make use of the same Variable Bit-rate Recording (VBR) system used for pre-packaged DVD-Video movies. This lets you enjoy the same digital quality you enjoy with pre-recorded DVDs. With four time settings, VBR adjusts the data rate of the recordings based on the amount of motion in the recorded material. The DVR985 also features a built-in TV tuner and an AC-3 decoder/encoder for superior sound quality.

Philips DVD recorders also employ the Crystal Clear Pro Progressive-Scan system with a sophisticated Motion Adaptive System (DCDi chip by Faroudja), which corrects visual artifacts and optimizes the video image for superior pictures.

In addition to DVD+RW, DVD+R, and DVD-Video discs, the DVDR985 is compatible with CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, S-VCD, and VCD discs.

Product Description

Imagine being able to record from TV or digital camera directly on to a DVD. Imagine the possibilities; digital quality never degrades. Precious memories captured on digital video at the touch of a button. With the introduction of Philips Recordable DVD, the possibility is a reality with Dolby Digital Sound.The Philips DVDR985 records from TV in digital quality on ReWritable DVDs and copies your favorite camcorder tapes onto DVD for life. You get digital picture and sound quality for the ultimate viewing experience plus direct access to your recordings - no more winding or rewinding. Crystal Clear Pro progressive scan video provides razor-sharp pictures. Digital connection (i.LINK) enables high-quality copying from digital camcorders. Component video input (YPB/PR) ensures the best recording quality from analog sources. Edit your home movies easily with Favorite Scene Selection. Play DVD and audio-CD(R/RW); your recorded discs will play on most DVD-Video players! The Philips DVDR985 features a large display with disc-bar for instant disc content overview as well as a universal remote control.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best DVD Recorder on the Market, May 13, 2002

By	LarryB (Briarwood, NY) - See all my reviews

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.

121 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressed, January 20, 2003

By	"lyart" (Rumford, Maine United States) - See all my reviews

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

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST accessory for your TV since Tivo!!, December 8, 2002

By	Loves Toys (Boston Area, United States) - See all my reviews

I have been using this unit for almost a month now and I gotta say I'm thrilled with it! This thing is great, and really easy to use as well. Despite earlier reviews about difficult setup, I found no such problem. Setup took about 10 minutes and consisted of a few arrow keys and ok button pushes. Also a nice touch is that it comes with a free blank RW disk, so you don't have to wait to play with it once you get it.

Picture & sound quality are outstanding, even on EP (4 hours per side) mode. Blows videotape away, and will retain its quality for a theoretical 100 years. Ability to set the screen type (wide, letterbox, etc), sound type (stereo, 3d, surround), a multitude of inputs and outputs, and one touch record are nice additions to this great machine.

The remote is decent, though I would have swapped the location of the play & slow buttons for more intuitive control. Would be nice if it were multifunction (not just for tv) as well, but its better than most remotes. The onscreen programming & controls are pretty intuitive and work quite well. For timer settings, it basically programs like a vcr and it reminds you to turn it off when the programmed time approaches, in case you forgot. Front panel display of time remaining on your disk and where the new recording will be stored was a great idea too, very handy.

I checked out the other brands with the 'time-slip' feature before buying this one and found out the following. The time-slip feature offered on other brands sounded like it would work like a Tivo, but really all it does is let you watch what's already been recorded while it continues to record the rest of the program. It **doesn't** let you start a recording in the middle of a program and capture what you missed!

All in all, this is a wonderful device and I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of buying such a device. You won't be sorry.