Customer Rating:  
Summary: Do NOT buy this!!
Comment: Pros: It works...... sometimes.
Cons: It works...... sometimes. One of the worst electronics purchases I have ever made.
I am now using my second Philips DVDR3545V, after returning the first under warranty service. This is a combination DVD/VCR player/recorder that is supposed to record DVDs and VHS video tapes. I originally purchased it to play and/or record old VHS tapes onto DVD. The VHS drive on my first unit did not work after two months. After several very frustrating telephone calls to Philips Customer (no)Service, I returned it to Philips under warranty, but had to pay for shipping. The second unit freezes frequently while playing or recording both DVDs and VHS tapes, requiring me to unplug the unit. It has stopped working several times during recording from VHS to DVD, requiring me to begin recordings again and throw away several DVD-Rs in the process. A waste of money, and more importantly, much of my time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good DVD recorder
Comment: Decided to get a DVD recorder, but still needed a VHS recorder. The Philips DVDR3545V with Built-In Tuner met the qualifications. Used the Quick Start Guide to hookup the components (~10 minutes). Be sure to disconnect all components - I disconnected the power strip from the AC outlet. Several configurations are provided. Auto channel scanning took ~15 minutes.
As stated, can only record and view what is currently playing through the TV/Video - so if there is another program you want to see, you need to have another TV. The initial DVD recording process is minimal. Even though the recording 'finalizes' after recording - to finalize the disc to be readable in another DVD will need to go to Setup / General Setting / Recording / Make Recording Compatible; and then under Setup / Disc Edit / Finalize.
No problems doing a timed DVD recording. However, can only select channel 4 - then within channel 4 channel x to record from --- need to make sure that channel x is the channel tuned to record when TV is off.
Does allow input of title info - but is cumbersome - I just use a labler.
There is a learning curve, and it will be trial and error, so practice before trying to record that important program/event.
Although it does allow dubbing, could not dub from VHS to DVD in same machine. Perhaps the process only works if using another machine connected to the Philips DVDR3545V. Hope so, I still have a lot of VHSs that I cannot find on DVD and it would be nice to have a DVD copy of these.
I would purchase the product again. The manual (on CD) is 116 pages. Purchased as a refurbished model through Amazon.com - good deal.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good item since it has a built in tuner
Comment: This is a great VCR/DVD combo with built in tuner but a little problematic to set up to the TV. It took many tries to get it to work properly and was frustrating but once set up it is good. The DVR taping is very complicated but we mostly bought it for VCR recording and playback while watching another channel on the TV. Would recommend as it is hard to find VCR's on the market now with a tuner and it seems to be working properly.
Customer Rating:
Summary: WELL WORTH THE MONEY
Comment: i've read some reviews on this item and some where bad and some where good. well this one is excellent. this unit has done everything the spec's said it would. but, the resolution is outstanding. I own other brands or dvd recorders and this one is the best. The HDMI output is the best I've seen and used. I about to order a second unit. I recomend this unit to any and all.
Rocco
Customer Rating:
Summary: So far, so good
Comment: Is it technical failure, or is it user error? I've asked myself this question several times while trying to get my DVRs to work. If you had trouble using your VCR, it's about to get worse! These beasts are sluggish and complicated, and I'm not exactly an electronics illiterate. This particular unit seems to be doing well, and I like it more than the Panasonic I just shipped back for repair. The other night I tried to time-record The Office. When I got home I found it had recorded sound and a black screen. Did I do something wrong, or is that show copy-protected? Yet another mystery in the realm of DVRs. I recommend this unit, but beware.
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