LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR with Digital Tuner (Refurbished)

OTHER EQUIPMENT: Panasonic TH-50PZ800U, LG 32LG70 and Sharp LC-26GA4U TV?s PROS: Good picture quality (DVD) Features/Design Channel edit function Simplink Single HDMI output for DVD and tape playback CONS: Unit gets exceptionally hot Video Mode Recording periodically stops No backlighting on remote control buttons Does not have LP speed for tape recording (only has SLP or SP) Poor quality VCR recording/playback No return to previous channel/input button Erases program recordings when channel scan performed REPORT: I purchased this unit because it has a built-in digital tuner, the ability to record Over-The-Air (OTA) broadcasts to VCR tape or DVD, and has the ability to playback both DVD and VCR tapes via the HDMI output. I rate the recorded DVD picture quality as good, however the VCR picture quality is poor. Also, this particular unit has an audio playback problem that the factory could not repair. It is relatively easy to set the unit up and use it to record OTA, however I recommend using the VR recording mode as opposed to the Video recording mode. The unit randomly stops recording when used in the Video mode to record OTA programs (especially The CW channel), regardless of the brand of DVDs used for the recording. The VR mode seems to ignore whatever causes the recording issue (see the Internet for discussions of copy-protected OTA and cable issues). If this is a glimpse of the future for consumer programming time-shifting, my television watching will significantly be reduced because I time-shift all my TV programming. The unit has all the features one needs to record and/or copy DVD/VCR media. The machine?s design is simplistic and functional. The channel edit function is especially intuitive to use. The ability to use the single HDMI output for DVD or tape playback allows the use of a single cable between the pre amp/receiver or television. SIMPLINK allows the unit to change to the active link when the unit is powered on, but this only works if you are connected to another LG device. I contacted Customer Support for a recording issue that initially they were not able to help me with. After multiple calls over a number of weeks, LG issued a fix for the unit to fix a problem with the recording timer. Before the fix the unit would stop recording ~15 minutes into programs recorded over-the-air. Unfortunately, I had to send the player in for repair to fix other issues I was having with the unit. The problem persists. I also noted the unit gets exceptionally warm during use. This makes me concerned about the longevity of the product, however it has operated OK (except for the tape playback issue) since the LG repair and over the year I have owned it. I have two other players that I have owned longer than this one and they are operating without any problems. I give the unit 3-stars because of the tape recording issue and the reliability concerns.