Electronics : Samsung DVD-VR357 Tunerless DVD Recorder and VCR Combo

Electronics : Samsung DVD-VR357 Tunerless DVD Recorder and VCR Combo

Samsung DVD-VR357 Tunerless DVD Recorder and VCR Combo

from: Samsung



Samsung DVD-VR357 Tunerless DVD Recorder and VCR Combo
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Average Rating: out of 5 stars
Sales Rank: 10696

Used Price: $121.66






Batteries Included: 1
Batteries: 2 AAA
Binding: Electronics
Brand: Samsung
Color: Black
EAN: 0036725607774
Label: Samsung
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
Manufacturer: Samsung
Model: DVD-VR357
Publisher: Samsung
Sales Rank: 10696
Studio: Samsung
Variation Description: Black


Features:
  • Multi Format DVD/VHS Recorder
  • VHS HiFi Player
  • HDMI Upconversion
  • One Touch - 2 Way Dubbing
  • DivX Compatible





Editorial Review:

Item Description:
HDMI / Easy Record / Component Video / Composite















Customer Reviews
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars - * Pretty Good, Not Quite Ready for Prime Time ...
Seems like every DVD recorder I try there's an issue, and sure enough this one's got a few. DVD-R's aren't compatible with my other standard players, and all DVD-R's recorded on this unit auto-play on other players. I've tried different media on this and other recorders and they don't have the problem with compatibility, and don't have the auto-play problem. It has very good video, and has a nice front panel display (like flashing when in pause mode). One great thing I do like about this unit is its responsiveness in pausing the recording process (for editing out commercials), it's very fast. Tried the flash updater, it didn't fix the problem. Had to call Samsung as their instructions are wrong, you have to unplug the unit to get the flash update to work (the symptom is the remote doesn't work). Have to give kudos to Samsung's support line, it took no time to get to a human and they were very helpful and willing to help.

This unit would be a keeper if it weren't for the annoying auto-play which you can't get rid of. If it weren't for that, I'd give it a 5-star.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - * Works Good ...
I have been using this for little over a month with both DVD-Rs and DVW-RWs from Memorex. I have had absolutely no problems with recording or formatting. It took about 5 mintues to hook up and it was running perfect the first time I tried. The directions were easy to follow. I would highly recommend this unit and would buy again.

After using for several months, I have found one issue when using Memorex DVD-RWs. After recording on a DVD-RW and then formatting to use again, there was an issue with the DVD-RW being ruined by the recorder. Not sure if this is an issue with the media or the writing to the disc or the software. However, the thing has eaten two DVD-RWs to date.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars - * OK but clunky interface, cheap remote ...
This device has worked for me pretty much as expected. I have recorded only onto DVD-R media, from programs recorded by a DirecTivo and from VHS tapes. I purchased a movie (Ratatouille) from DirecTv and recorded it from the Tivo onto DVD. The machine did this correctly, no DRM problems. When recording normal programs from Tivo, you can use the pause/play button on the recorder's remote to effectively edit out commercials or other material. I have checked the finalized DVDs by playing them back in a different DVD player (Denon) and in a Macbook laptop.

If you buy this machine here are a couple of usage hints. Buried in the manual is the fact that you can adjust the VHS tracking using the remote. Look very carefully for a tiny gray label "tracking." This can make a huge difference in the quality of recording from VHS. Each time you are recording and press Stop, the DVR creates a video segment it calls a "title." When you finalize the DVD, it creates a DVD "Top Menu" which lists each Title in sequence, with a thumbnail made from its opening frame. You can turn on a "chapter creator" and when you end a long (15+ minute) Title, the DVR creates chapter markers at equal 5-minute intervals through that segment. When you finalize the DVD, it creates a Menu (not the Top) menu listing each chapter with a thumbnail.

I am only giving 3 stars because of two shortcomings. First is the cheesy remote, which has rubber keys that you have to mash unmercifully to get a result. This is made worse in that sometimes the DVR responds slowly, or if it is in the wrong "mode," not at all, to a remote command. So you mash and grind on the flimsy rubber button until you get a response or give up.

The second problem is an awkward, poorly designed user interface that shows up in two places: recording from VHS and editing names of Titles. To record from VHS you are given a "copy list" menu that shows the VHS tape in a small window. You use the VHS play/ff/stop/rew controls (the pause doesn't work for some reason) to cue up the start of the segment you want, and press Enter. The starting tape position is noted. Then you have to locate the end point and press enter. When you tell it to copy this segment, the DVR rewinds (slowly) to the start point, plays and records one Title, and exits the menu completely.

The stupid thing is that the copy list menu has positions for up to 6 start/stop segments. I thought, "Great, a job-list!" However, you can only use one of them. As soon as you tell it to copy one segment, it does and completely forgets any other start/stop points you have tediously entered. It looks as if the interface was shipped half-finished, or they cut back on device memory at the last minute, or something.

The other interface issue is in renaming the Disk or any of the Titles. You do this with an on-screen virtual keyboard that is horrible to use, especially when the remote is so balky and uncomfortable. But if you don't name the Titles, they have default names of the date and time, meaningless. You can name the Disk as well. However this name only appears on the Top Menu. If you put the finalized disk in a PC, its volume name is generic, not the disk name you tediously entered.

In short, this device works but the remote and on-screen interface make it somewhat painful to use.

Later: after more use I have found that the main problem with the remote is a very weak and directional IR emitter. It needs to be close to, and pointed directly at, the machine. When you point it carefully, the buttons are responsive, you don't have to "mash" them as I described. The other issues remain annoying.


Rating: 1 out of 5 stars - * Waste of $ ...
First time I inserted a disc ( DVD +R) and tried to initialize, machine shut off. Tried it again, same thing only now it's locked up. Had to unplug the power cord to reset. Called Samsung and was told to try a DVD -R. One reason I bought it was the fact that it used ALL formats. A friend suggested I go to the Samsung site and download firmware updates. I figured, I pay that much for something, it should work right out of the box. Sent it back next day. No problems there, thanks, Amazon.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - * Samusng Delivers Again ...
My Go Video unit finally gave out, and since they are essentially out of business (and the cost of a repair was more than a new one would cost), I decided to give this one a try. It not only cost far less than the other one, but seems to work better. It's a bit tricky trying to figure out how to work it -- the auto copy doesn't seem to work as well as setting it up onscreen -- but overall, I am delighted with it.


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Combo,B000N7X9AI Vcr And Recorder Dvd Tunerless Vr357 Dvd Samsung
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