5 comments about Samsung DVD-AR650 DVD Recorder.

1. Overall it's a good dvd recorder and hdtv tuner. If you have a HDTV monitor, this would be a perfect choice. Recording OTA HDTV programs is very easy and high quality. I give it a four star because the picture quality is not as good as my DirecTV receiver, but that's just a matter of opinion.



2. The tuner in my 10 year old 35" TV stopped working about two years ago so I started using it as a monitor for my VCR. The VCR stopped playing and recording tapes so I took a chance and bought a refurbished AR650 online to take its place. There was no audio when in digital mode. Standard broadcast audio and DVD audio were fine. I called Samsung and they went through the off/on and reset stuff but still no audio. Their final suggestion was that I get a new TV and use another audio output. I exchanged the 650. Everything went fine. It only took a week. The new unit worked fine. I have antennas and amplifiers in my attic and get pretty good digital signals from Philadelphia and Baltimore. The freezing of the digital picture is caused by weak signals. An amplifier will help.
   
   I got a scare last week. The digital audio stopped working. I did the off/on and reset and it came back. Two weeks ago I left it in digital mode and I guess the signal was lost for a long time. I leave the TV on when I go out. This caused the digital to stop working. I had to do the off/on and reset and rescan the channels.
   
   When in standard broadcast you can Add and Delete channels but in digital you can Delete only. The only way to add digital channels is to rescan and then delete the ones you never watch.



3. Overall, this unit is pretty good considering the price. I have mine hooked up with HDMI for the video and I'm going optical out for the audio into my Technics Dolby digital 5.1 audio receiver/amp. The sound is spectacular in true Dolby Digital. The video on the ATSC tuner channels is not true HD as it actually increases the size of the picture just a bit bigger than it's native aspect ratio, thus cutting off part of the picture. But, it is a nice picture nonetheless. The DVD recorder is relatively reliable but the player has some quirks. Sometimes it'll just stop playing. Possibly possessed? Who's to say. The digital tuner needs a strong clean signal, otherwise you can expect significant dropouts, to the point that it is unwatchable. The analog tuner works well and is what I use to watch most of my tv. You can record in a couple different formats for playback on your DVD player or PC. You can also transfer the files from a recorded DVD -R or DVD -RW to your your favorite video editing software on your PC. There are still a few of these around and I have no reservations recommending this unit. Just remember, it's not true HD and that's ok because I don't think a consumer HD DVD recorder even exists. But this is pretty close to it. Rob @ robdrew.com



4. I bought this DVD recorder last Aug. When I got it it worked fine. Then lately I tried using some DVD-RW new disc. and when I put it in it has to format it - it goes to about 20% done then says some message of an error & spits it back out. Now it is starting to do the same thing with the DVD-R when I put it in then it says a message of "disc can not be played" and opens the tray back up. If I retry it it then will accept it, but I am afraid that the recording part is about to quit.
   So far it will play a video ok, it is the recording part that is acting up for me. I am trying to use brand new Maxwell DVD-R/RW.



5. Purchased this recorder in September 2007; used on week-ends, infrequently. Stopped playing in March 2008; mailed to Samsung repair in New Jersey; returned after delays due to not having part in stock. After receiving it back, used a couple of times when it stopped playing again. Disappointed in Samsung quality; won't buy another product from them.

5 comments about DVD/VCR Combo Player.

1. Bought the Magnavox DV200MW8 at a local Walmart. Worked fine for about 2 hours. Later, VHS playback is fuzzy with distorted video and DVD player will not read DVD.
   
   Will never buy another Magnavox product based on this.



2. I bought this about a year ago, and have no problems or issues. I think that for the price you get a good picture and a great convenience for having dvd and vhs. I think that for the price, you can't do much better, and I think it is easy to use and a great buy!



3. I bought this product about two months ago, and it works great. I love the convenience of having the dvd and the vcr in one combo. The picture quality is great, and it is really simple to use for me and my children. I would buy this again in a heart beat. I also heard that phillips and magnavox are now being made with a lot of sony parts. I am very happy and would purchase again.



4. The product works well and the controls are user-friendly. The only downside is that there is no coax (cable) output so you can't use this by tuning to channel 3 (as you use to do with most VCRs). There are other outputs and this probably isn't a problem for most people, but some older users who are more comfortable with the channel 3 solution might take a while to figure out where the Input button is on their TV remote.



5. I picked one up from Walmart this afternoon and it's already not working. It plays a DVD good, but it will not play a tape at all. I have tied serval videos and he best I got was a partial plyback during rewind. I don't think that is going to cut it. Most of the time it gets stuck in DVD made with no DVD in the player and has to be unpluged to get it so you can even use the remote again. Mabey I got a lemon, but this product is heading back to the Wally Mart.

No comments about Dora DVD Player.

5 comments about Sony DVP-NS55P/B Single Disc DVD Player, Black.

1. My mother in law was thrilled with the DVD player. Apparently installation was fairly simple, my nephew was able to set it up for her.



2. Love the sleek look of this black Sony DVD player, which replaces an early clunky model, not from Sony, and has all the features I need for playing every form of digital media. Seems harder to find it in black, but silver is fine if your other equipment matches.



3. The player simply stopped working after 6 months occasional use--it lost all power and could not be started.



4. I ordered this product for my work room. I use it frequently but not every day or all the time. It arrived safely and in perfect condition. It functions properly and I enjoy it very much.



5. DVD players have become throw away appliances and gotten lighter and very inexpensive. Worth spending the extra money for Sony quality, longevity and trouble free performance. Solid unit that performs well with several DVD formats and CDs.

3 comments about JVC HRXVC15S DVD Video Player & VHS Hi-Fi Stereo.

1. I got this to transfer VHS to DVD. I was going to use S-Video output for the video portion. Despite the specs on this website indicating that there is one there is no such output jack. I'm thinking of returning it.



2. my JVC HRXVC15S arrived with a factory defect--a LOUD 60cycle hum via the VHS side. i called VANNS, the seller, and they said call JVC (never going to buy anything from VANNS again...), called JVC and described the problem, they asked a couple of questions that makes me believe that the problem is a known defect, tell me to ship it to them and, no, they don't pay the shpping. so.......never by another JVC product again....
   so, i'll try and sell the thing as a DVD player (no hum from that side) for $25 and shop for another (non-JVC) unit.



3. I recommend buyers look at the Amazon reviews for defunct JVC VHS/DVD
   dual deck products before they purchase any current dual deck model.
   They have a proven history of extremely poor build quality. JVC keeps
   rapidly changing model numbers, which makes this more difficult for
   the consumer to discover. However they all look very similar with
   only slight cosmetic differences.
   
   Search on these item numbers and see for yourself:
   
   JVC SR-MV40US
   
   * Built Defective, I bought and returned three of these units (12/2007)
   * Faulty DVD Drive is a known inevitable problem on every unit (11/2007)
   * Worked well while it worked (10/2007)
   * Disk Error on most discs after 5 months of owning the unit (08/2007)
   * No luck with this (06/2007)
   * Problem unit (05/2007)
   
   JVC HRXVC27U (5 1-stars out of 8)
   
   * 1yr and 1/2 and it died (02/2005)
   * Worst home electronic device I've ever owned (03/2006)
   * Barely outlived the warranty (10/2005)
   * the J must stand for Junk (05/2005)
   
   JVC DRMV5S (8 1-stars out of 16)
   
   * Do Not Buy The JVC DRMV5S DVD ... (09.2007)
   * JVC DRMV5S is defective! (03/2007)
   * Total Junk and they Know it ! (12/2006)
   * There's got to be something better (03/2006)
   * JVC should be ashamed! (01/2006)
   * Died after two weeks (10/2005)
   
   
   
   A search on "Jvc Hi-fi Vcr/DVD Combo" search yields the following models:
   
   JVC HRXVC29S
   
   * I had the unit for under a year, and one day ... it just froze (04/2006)
   * What a disapointment after only 2 years (03/2006)
   
   JVC HRXVC15S (1 1-star, 1 2-star out of 2 reviews)
   
   * Factory Defect....Look Elsewhere (09/2007)
   
   
   
   Here are some model numbers that WILL NOT come up on a search but CAN be
   accessed by working through "see all of my reviews"
   
   JVC DRMV1S (>>> FIFTY-TWO <<<< 1-stars out of 63 reviews)
   
   * Worst purchase decision ever!! (11/2007)
   * Unit has never been right (10/2007)
   * total piece of junk!!!!!! (02/2007)
   * Nothing But Trouble (07/2006)
   * poor reliability (10/2006)
   * Don't buy the JVC DRMV1S (01/2006)
   * What a piece of junk!!! (01/2006)
   * Avoid this unit or you WILL be sorry (01/2006)
   * Total loss (01/2006)
   * Worst piece of electronics I've ever seen (12/2005)
   * Possessed by Demons (10/2005)
   * For the sake of your sanity, do not buy this!!!!! (12/2005)
   ... it just goes on and on.
   
   JVC HR-XVC20U (10 1-stars out of 19 reviews)
   
   * Very disappointed - Not a good buy (10/2004)
   * I will never buy a JVC product again (07/2004)
   * In the shop (05/2004)
   * DON'T BUY IT!! (05/2004)
   * Pathetic (05/2004)
   * I bought it in october of 2003 - going bad in april 2004
   * Do not buy this unit! (04/200)
   * A regrettable purchase (02/2004)
   
   JVC HRXVC26U (6 1-stars out of 14 reviews)
   
   * Awful (08/2007)
   * 2 Units same problem ... freezing (09/2004)
   
   JVC HRXVS44U (6 1 or 2-stars out of 10 reviews)
   
   * VCR drive died after one year (10/2004)
   * Third straight reviewer to have a problem (01/2005)
   * This is junk...avoid (09/2004)
   * Durability is questionable, after 9 months ... (05/2004)
   * unit was terrible out of the box (12/2003)
   
   JVC HR-XVC33U (5 reviews out of 10 3-stars or less)
   
   * Returned Item (03/2004)
   * Problems from the start (02/2004)
   * I am on my third one and it's going bad too (12/2003)
   
   
   JVC HRXVC16B (3 1-stars out of 3 reviews)
   
   * I'll never buy another JVC product again. A month after ... (04/2007)
   
   
   Buyer Beware !!!

2 comments about Axion 16-3906 10" Widescreen LCD TV/DVD Player Combo.

1. I purchased this unit from Lusopc and received it in good condition. One week after my purchase the DVD player stopped working. I contacted Reggie Johnson at Axion customer service in Pomona CA and he requested that I send the unit there for service or replacement. I sent the unit using UPS and received a tracking number which showed that Axion received the unit and even the person in the loading dock who signed for it. Axion then claimed that they never received the package and after the initial contact would not pick up the phone or return messages that I left at Reggie Johnson's desk 909-869-6600 ext 11. I contacted UPS who said there was nothing that they could do. I emailed Lusopc who did not reply to my email. I have purchased a new unit from a different company and will never buy from Axion of Lusopc again. I have of course told friends and family never to buy Axion and I'm currently working on an anti-Axion website!!



2. I purchased this Mini TV for our new bathroom (I like to see the Bloomberg and ABC news while I am shawing in the morning). Anyways, for about $200 I have the portable DVD player (I tried one movie, and the quality of image/sound is OK) and the TV set. As you may assume, I have no cable TV in the bathroom, so I have purchased the external antenna (~50dB) from Radioshack. Let me be straight: don't buy this PC if you have no cable connection! No matter what the antenna is, the image is very poor quality. Well, I had to install the TV cable across two rooms to reach the bathroom (not a pleasure + the cost of 50' cable).
   
   When I got the cable TV, I found the biggest pain in &*^$* with this TV: the remote control. With new batteries installed it takes 6-8 times to press ANY button to get it working. I don't know if it's the remote or the bad sensor on TV, but it REALLY drives me crazy.
   
   The quality of image with the cable TV is OK (I mean 6 of 10) but I don't complain about it, it's still acceptible.
   On a positive side, the TV comes with a nice black bag that can be connected to the driver seat and the passenger can enjoy the movie while you are driving. The 10" screen is much better that 7" at many other portable DVD players.
   
   Overall, I'll give this TV 2 stars of 5 what is closer to not recommended unless you need just 10" portable DVD player and don't care about remote control (the setup menu is accessible only from remote control!)

No comments about BOSE(R) Lifestyle Series 38 IV Home Theater Entertainment System - White.

5 comments about Sony SLVD560P DVD / VCR Combo.

1. I was expecting a quality Sony product when I bought this. I have another sony DVD player that I have been using for about 3 years without any problems. This unit is another story.
   
   After 4 months of use, the player stopped working with DVD/RW disks. A few days later, manufactured disks stopped working, now a few days later, no DVDs will play on the unit.
   
   I am so glad I got an extended warranty, because I am going to go and pick up my third new unit today for another 4 months of usage before the inevitable failure.



2. after 2 weeks, vhs tapes were being eaten, then refused to cough them up - and other maladies that i don't have time to go into.



3. I've had this unit for over a year, and I'm very pleased with it. My only complaint is that when I kept it on once for a few days straight, using its tuner instead of my TV tuner, it stopped working altogether. It was okay when I turned it on the next day. I've found that if I keep it on only when I'm actively watching a DVD or a VHS, then turn it off afterwards, everything's fine with it.



4. I bought this product about 3 years ago refurbished off ebay and got it for like 60$ but has played prob 3 years everyday for hours and never had any problems. Not sure if thats because it was refurbished but still was a great buy and with the progressive scan its a cheaper way to have high def picture and sound.



5. I bought this DVD/VCR two years ago, and I've had no problems. To keep this unit in good shape, you must use a good head cleaner. I'm upgrading to a digital unit, and will use this in my guest bedroom. My advice is to stick with a label/manufacturer that you're familiar with; a company that offers great products, excellent service, and reasonable prices. For me, I'll continue to buy Sony.

5 comments about Samsung DVD-HD841 Up-Converting DVD Player.

1. I've had this player for a year now and it's a real dud. It's got a terrible remote pickup, bad menus and worst of all, it resets some of its settings while your watching a DVD. Stay away from this disaster.



2. Earlier this week I received the factory referbished Samsung HD841. I have had a few days to use it and compare it to my other players, mainly my Philips 642, which have been excellent players for me. This Model does well. I don't understand why this model has such a rough reveiw. Note, this model has the DVI output, If your TV has an HDMI port, you will want to check out the Samsung HD 850 (identical otherwise). First, this model has component, composite and S-video hook ups, as well as the DVI port (still have to run seperate sound out with DVI). Also, this model does feature digital coax sound out and optical sound out as well for systems that can handle 5.1 THX. Many upconvert models do not have the digital outs on lower priced models. The picture quality is great, at 480p comparable with my Philips. Again, The upconvert works well out the DVI hook up to my TV, but to be honest, it is hard to tell any difference between it and a good 480p progressive scan player, at least on my tv which is a 23" 720p LCD. Menus also are a bit difficult to figure out at first as well. The user manual is less than impressive at explaining thing, in fact, it does not have an index. But, it the main thing is that the player is does perform well, and is a name brand product from samsung (I have had some offbrand experience and have had perfomace problems). THis player also appears to have DivX available on it, not noted in the product discription, so that was a suprise as well. This will allow the use of MP4 movie files. The remote again is bigger and at first more difficult than my other players, but after a day or so it actually is better because many of the features are available to change at the push of a button instread of going through the menus. In all, I will continue to explore this new player, but in all it seems to be a quality product that has received some bad flack. So give it a chane, the prices are good currently, quality has been good, and it is a Samsung.
   Note to the technosavy: I have not had luck using the component upconvert code that is available on other web sites, so I am using my DVI input for upconvert. Also, the new Blue ray (HD 1080p) DVD players are out, so if you have the expensive hi res tvs that can handle this, you might want to wait and save till you can get the new DVD players.
   Note 2: the factory referbished models come with a DVI cable, a 20-30 dollar value that many don't come with.



3. I purchased this player for around 70 bucks shipped from an Ebay vendor last week. It was packaged as a recondition and arrived with new remote batteries and a DVI cable to boot. It was easy to setup with my Westinghouse 37inch LCD using DVI cable provided. I am no expert, but the picture looked fine to me and appeared to look sharper than an older non-upscaling DVD player we have for the old tube tv. With output settings at 1080I for the LCD and the HD841 it looked very good. I use a Harmony 880 remote for everything, so I cannot comment on the included remote.
   
   I think this was a resonable choice to fill the gap until HD discs and players come down in price and become more commonplace.



4. I had difficulty with this unit. It would play DVD's I made myself, but not any store bought DVD's through the DVI Cable. I called up Samsung support and found out that unless your TV is HDCP compliant then it will not play store bought DVD's through the DVI Cable. This unit only up converts through the DVI cable, so unless your TV\Monitor is HDCP compliant, do not expect it to work properly. (HDCP is a copy protection built into your hardware to prevent copying of the Movie).



5. Just as a note, the DTS skipping problem I was able to resolve by updating the firmware on the unit. You can download the firmware from Samsung's site. After that, DTS sound worked great and I didn't have anymore skipping.
   
   The problem I have is that it doesn't seem to want to output Dolby Digital to my receiver...it's sending a signal that gets detected as Dolby Pro Logic by my receiver which auto-detects the correct surround format. It's not my receiver as my comcast box sends out digital 5.1 and the receiver detects it correctly.
   
   This dvd player has been okay, but it's just clunky. I haven't had too many problems with the remote and not had any problems with the display. It works on par with any DVD player, but nothing special.
   
   When you can buy an Oppo-Digital DVD player for about the same price or lower, it just doesn't make much sense.

2 comments about LG Electronics BH100 Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Player.

1. One tray solution to the HDDVD/Blu-Ray format war. Put in either a HDDVD or a Blu-Ray disc and it plays. Period. Makes format irrelevant. Both formats look equally good and more and more of these hybrids will be the answer. Price needs to drop a bit still.



2. I am tempted to just write "You can do better than this item" but this probably would not be very useful even though I don't even know if this is still sold.
   
   1. Very very slow load times
   2. No java menu support for HD-DVD's (who cares now really)
   3. It leaves one wondering if there is something wrong or is it really supposed to act this way.