Philips DVDR3505 DVD Recorder (Refurbished)

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I enjoy this recorder very much. It is easy to use.If the recorder does clears out the channel memory constantly, you can correct this by turning off the auto DST (daylight savings time adj) and auto clock. Just set everything up manually.The recorder will leave some space more than the time set. For example, if you set the recorder to record 2 hours using the 2 hours setting, it will leave a few minutes left on the disc. This is useful when using the timer since I usually set the timer to record one minute before the program's schedule and to end one minute after since getting the clock set perfectly with the TV show is very difficult.The sound level is a little quieter than I expected so I have to raise the volume when playing the recordings and also the picture is a little darker.The DVI input did not work with my camcorder because it would not recognize my Samsung camcorder. The recorder wouldn't let me just direct feed (as opposed to using the built in extras that recognize the camcorder). I have to use my Panasonic recorder to transfer my camcorder tapes. My Panasonic also won't recognize the camcorder but lets me feed the video and sound through the DVI input .If I had extra money to spend, I'd buy another one because this recorder is so inexpensive now.

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The Philips DVD-R does EXACTLY what it says it does.The quality of recording is Excellent. Read the manual and practice recording a few times.

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We ordered this unit when the digital switch made it impossible for us to record our favorite shows on VHS using our existing player. I had never used DVD-RW before but had heard good things. First of all let me say that we really like the unit: it has a built in digital tuner; the recording quality is great, even on low settings; and it is attractively designed. In essence, it does what we want it to do and it does it well, especially for the price.A few quirks that we don't love: 1) If you are setting a timer to record, you have to turn the unit off/standby or else it won't record and you'll get an error described as "failed to record due to conflict" or something like that. So if you've already set the timer but happen to still be around and want to watch the show you'll soon be recording, you have to turn the unit off, wait for it to turn itself back on to begin recording, and then you can watch. Moderately annoying. (It does bring up a little warning window that tells you a timer is set and you need to turn off the unit, but this is still just inconvenient and poorly designed, unlike our previous VHS recorder that would just switch channels at the appointed time and start recording.) 2) The unit is rather loud when on with a disc in the player. My wife has ears like a wolf and it drives her nuts. Mildly annoying. 3) The digital tuner takes a long time to surf the channels - painfully long. Moderately to seriously annoying. 4) When you turn the unit on with a disc in the drive, it takes forever (20-50 seconds) to load the disc to where you can play, set timers, review contents, etc. Moderately annoying. Then, it also takes the same forever after you finish recording a show to "finalize" the recording (this does not finalize the disc, rendering it unrecordable in the future, it just makes the newly recorded contents watchable - I guess). Mildly annoying.Again, the plus sides are: 1) price - this is a great deal compared to other units if you just want something that will do the job, 2) you can record over and over on the same DVD forever, just like VHS tapes but better quality, 3) digital tuner allows you to record digital channels (which all of them are now) even in HD quality, 4) HDMI inputs allow you to watch/record in hi-def from the unit, 5) relatively straight-forward controls and commands.

Rating

This is my second Philips 3505 Recorder. I like my other one so much I purchased another one for another location in the house. In my opinion they simply can't be beat for the price. Have been using these machines for about 5 months and have never failed to record a program I set it for and for refurbished you can not tell either one from brand new in operation or appearance. Great machines!

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This looks like a great value. However, the first unit had a loud mechanical noise which rendered it useless, that was returned. The eternal optimist I replaced it with another DVR3505, this one was perfect for about a month at which time I kept getting an E45 error message when trying to timer record. Something relating to "one time record only". I tried everything to unprogram the error. Unplugging the unit for 48hrs. then reinitializing everything, "must be an error on my part". No, it would record manually, but no like the timer record? It was useless. My biggest mistake was attempting to get the set-up correct, wasting valuable return time.This looks like a great deal, I wasted $15.00 shipping to return this unit plus lost two complete weekends of information I had hoped to record. Buy this if you dare, I would steer clear.