DVD Recorders > Philips DVD Recorders > with MP3 Playback

Advantages: Guide+ (when it works), big hard drive, HD upscaling
Disadvantages: poor DVD burning, slow interface, regulary locks up and recordings fail

...complete loss of guide info and timer setups on increasingly regular basis. Philips were pretty good at sorting problems during warranty period, but now simply suggest to me that unit is beyond repair and better to buy new one. Perhaps it is better NOT to buy Philips in future! ... Read review

Advantages: Hard Disk recording, time shifting, 8hr recording on dvdr, firewire input
Disadvantages: can't record directly to dvdr, 5min chapters, can't adjust timeshift buffer

...the firmware first from the Philips website. You will have to play it from the beginning or select chapters. The chapters are automatically inserted at 5 min intervals, again a feature which cannot be adjusted but only turned off completely. From the same menu you can Name recordings, delete or protect them from deletion and transfer them to a dvdr/rw. The dvdr 3300h accepts the +/- r/rw formats and also +r DL. You can select various recording qualities ...
...new firmware/software fixes from the Philips website. Support there looks quite good but don't expect a speedy reply to any email you send. I am currently have my recorder hooked up to my security cameras. The timeshift buffer is very valuable here because if anything happens you can just rewind and save the bit you want while it continues to record. Apart from the useless features, the recorder performs well enough and the quality is great. I ... Read review

Advantages: Good quality unit, top quality recording, versatile with blank media
Disadvantages: Badly designed remote, can be slow to respond when starting up

...The main feature with this Philips one was the flexibility of media it can record onto, it can record (and play) DVD+ and - R and RW, which means you can pretty much stick any writable DVD into it and it will allow you to record onto it. The unit was very simple to setup and has a good range of connections, including component inputs on the front to allow you to connect camcorders or component cables from games consoles into the DVD recorder. The ...
...out and RF loop sockets. The unit is particularly brilliant as it allows you to connect any external TV boxes, i.e. Sky or Freeview into the DVD recorder first and then use one scart cable into the television. Even when the DVD recorder is turned off, it will allow the freeview/sky loop to continue into the television, no need to have 2 scarts into your TV, I found this particularly useful as I can now have audio out into my subwoofer hi-fi (for ... Read review

Advantages: Guideplus programme guide; recording quality; plays MP3s
Disadvantages: May miss ends of some programmes

I haven't played a video at home in more than two years - that's how useful the Phillips DVDR-80 DVD recorder is. Setup went smoothly the second time I tried - the difficulties I experienced the first time round were perhaps because of a poor TV signal in my local area. The recorder has several modes, from video quality (though I think it's better) to ultra-high professional quality. Most users will find that M6, giving six hours' recording time ...
...Programming a recording is straightforward, using either the Guideplus electronic programming guide, Videoplus, manual programming or safe record. Be warned, though: safe record defaults to the end of the disc, so you'll need to make sure you've left plenty of space for your recording. Guideplus puts the correct programme name on the recording, but with the other modes, it's easy to go into the disc menu and rename it to something you'll remember. ... Read review

Advantages: High quality recordings of up to six hours on one disc
Disadvantages: After a year mine developed a problem

I have owned the Philips DVD recorder for around a year now and it has been easy to use and reliable. On sale now at Amazon for £159.99 it is definitely worth buying now the prices are coming down. The Philips has many features including: Digital picture and sound quality for the ultimate viewing experience Record from TV in digital quality on DVD Copy your favourite camcorder tapes for life RGB Component Video Input for the best digital recording ...
...stereo and Dolby Pro Logic audio 24-bit digital-to-analogue conversion for top quality sound Recorded discs play on DVD players Up to 6 hours video recording per side Index Picture Screen for visual Table Of Contents Favourite Scene Selection for easy editing of your home movies Plays DVD, CD and MP3 discs Direct access to your recordings, no more winding or rewinding VIDEO Plus+ / SHOWVIEW for easy timer programming SCART cable included ... Read review