Samsung DVD-HR 777

Advantages: Good value, excellent picture quality, easy to use
Disadvantages: Nothing of significance

...My first venture with a Hard Disk/DVD recorder was the Lite-on 5045 but after several problems I returned it for a refund. Undeterred and after further research I purchased the Samsung HR702 from Ebuyer.com at the beginning of March 2006 for £205. With 80 gigabytes the hard disk capacity is smaller than the Lite-on but still gives an ample 34 hours recording on short play. It records on DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM but will not record on DVD+RW or DVD+R although, contrary to the manual, it will read DVD+RW. The HD/DVD recorder arrived on time and was set-up and working within 10 minutes. Mastering the remote control took a little longer with frequent reference to the large (134 page) manual but after a little practice I became reasonably competent with the various functions and options. I found the manual clear and much better than... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Price, design, features
Disadvantages: Not very user-friendly

...As a happy owner of a Samsung LCD screen, I thought it made sense to pair it with a Samsung DVD recorder. Both would look good together, the recorder's features were attractive (a 160 GB hard drive, option of multi-region compatibility, HDMI, etc.). I was also appealed by the fact I could watch the beginning of a programme before the recording ended. Setting up the recorder was quite straightforward. Connecting it with a Freeview box is possible but, so far, I haven't managed to get the DVD recorder to select a Freeview channel to record by itself. Sound quality seems fine, so does the picture. My main criticism is that the recorder is not very user-friendly. The remote control looks good and takes over most of my Samsung LCD TV remote's features but there are simply too many buttons: two ON/OFFs, two "TV" and two "DVD", it's just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Price
Disadvantages: Very poor custome service, poor sound.

...Do NOT buy Samsung until you have read this. I bought a brand new DVD-HR720 from Samsung which had muffled sound. I contacted Sansung who got Martin Dawes to try to fix it. After 2 months with it still NOT working Samsung said I should not have contacted them and told me to go back to the seller! Yes after 2 months failing to fix it they said it was not their problem! Why didn’t they tell me that at the start? Along the way they promised a refund or replacement if the problem could not be sorted. Numerous calls and hassle, missed appointments at home, and at the end they failed to replace or refund as promised. Customer servive very poor.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful