Rating: 
Summary: Best Value for the money
Review: Copies tapes with the touch of one button to Disc. I can put up to (5) 2 hour vhs tapes on to one disc and save money and my valuable home movie collection of my children. The menu is easy to use, as I only have to press one of 4 arrow buttons and then hit enter to record and set up timer record programming. The picture on screen display is simple to understand and the record and sound quality are excellent. I was told by a salesperson at a giant electronics retailer this unit is made by the same company making Hitachi , Phillips and Sharp units , selling for much more. Lowest price Ive found. Thanks for the great buy Amazon.
Rating: 
Summary: Hidden Secret on DVD Speed
Review: I just spent an hour on hold with Funai because this unit was not recognizing the 1X - 8X DVD-R that I had bought. Nowhere in the manual does it say you can't use anything beter than a 4X DVD-R. But when I finally got a technician he knew exactly what the problem was and I couldn't believe that someone would produce a machine with a limit on the quality of the DVD media. I just went to BestBuy and they had exactly one pack of 25 DVD-R at 4X. So this could very well be a machine with a limited life because no one seems to be making slow DVDs. I am going to recommend to my girlfriend that she return this unit to Amazon. My guess is judging from the other reviews that Amazon should add the 4X limitation to their product description.
Rating:
Summary: WARNING--DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!
Review: I purchased this recorder from Amazon, and now I find out that it is incompatable with all of the new 8X DVD-R dics that are coming out. These new disks are supposed to be downward compatible (work with 1X thru 8X), but not on this recorder. The old 4X are being phased out in favor of the better, AND LESS EXPENSIVE, 8X variety, and are very hard to find. I confirmed all this with Sylvania tech support. They just said: "We do apologize for the misunderstanding and any inconvenience."
Rating: 
Summary: Interested To DVD
Review: I really am sometimes very interested in DVD recorders, but I really don't always seem to know everytime which ones are the best ones. Whether it is the kind of format that needs to be recorded, or the kind of compatability that is needed for these devices. I'm really more interested in DVD Recorder / VCR combos, largely because it is a bit cheaper. Otherwise, you'd have to spend an extra $130 to your DVD recorder already to copy from VHS tapes to DVD. I definitely was relieved to find affordable DVD Recorder / VCR combos right now than a year or two ago, when they didn't have the option of combining the 2. Sylvania definitely knows that, with one of the very DVD Recorder / VCR combos out there. It arguably is a good deal, when others can't cut the mustard these days. The Sylvania DVR90VE, is a remarkable DVD Recorder / VCR combo, that works like the others, at a great price. Here, there are some advantages with some disadvantages to the mix with all of these combos. The DVD Recorder has two options to record, VR mode for people who are new to the method of DVD recording, and DVD Video mode, which doesn't offer any protection from recording on DVD that the VR mode has. It can record several different modes from 1 hour recording on DVD, to 10 Hour DVD recording on one disc. The recording modes work very well, but it does have a few problems, the longer it is recorded onto DVD, the mixed the quality is. Another disadvatage to this DVD recorder, is that is only is able to play DVD's, audio and MP3 CD's, and the DVD-R/RW discs, like most of these kind of recorders. It doesn't have the playback, or ability to record on the DVD+R/RW discs, or the DVD-RAM discs. Still, that doesn't make much of a difference anyway to the playback. The playback of these DVD-R/RW recorded discs work great, with beautiful picture and sound quality for easy recordings. All in all, the Sylvania DVR90VE is a great DVD Recorder. I strongly suggest you get this, if you can't afford any other DVD Recorders, without losing the VCR usage. It works very well, and it is well worth the price. I just don't know why other places besides Amazon.com don't have this unit. Hopefully, other places will get this DVD Recorder / VCR combo soon. It just is great.
Rating:
Summary: I wish I would have stumbled on this unit earlier
Review: I spent alot of money on a capture device and software to convert my old VHS tapes to DVD and had given up since it was taking about 12 hours to make the conversion.
I saw an ad at Walmart for a similar unit and I did a google search and found a number of VHS/DVD recorders. I read the reviews and picked this one.
I was recording my first tape in 20 minutes from the time I started to open the box.
It worked flawlessly the first time, but you need to read the page that tells you how to finalize the disk so you can play it on your other DVD's. The manual is easy to read.
I haven't tried to do any editing. I would have to read the manual. What editing is available is limited.
I have not had any problems using DVD-RW. I bought the cheapest Office Depot brand and I use them daily to record TV programs during the day using the timer recording.
I've recorded about a dozen old tapes that I've purchased over the years only one gave me a copy protection error and wouldn't record. I tried it again using a DVD-RW disk and it appears to be recording at this minute, but I haven't tried to view it.
I bought my unit at Amazon and I'm very pleased. I'm pleased with the Amazon and the product. I just wish it was in black to match the rest of my components. I've found they do make it in black but it wasn't an option at Amazon.
I moved it upstairs because it didn't match my other equipment and couldn't replace them and have the look I wanted. It worked out well. I do as much recording as I want and then just move the completed disks to my expensive stuff downstairs.
The disk it records are better than the capture card and expensive software I originally bought to do what it does. Plus I can record TV on DVD-RW.
If you want an inexpensive way to save some space and get rid of those old tapes this is terrific. If you look at it up close it looks like a value unit, and in my opinion it is one of the best values you can get.
The tuner is better than my 2 year old much more expensive equipment. The quality when playing back tapes or DVD's is excellent.
I gave this device 4 stars because it isn't perfect for all tasks, but if you want value it is a 6. If you do alot of research and read the reviews I think you will see this one not only is a real value, it is exceptional. I love it.
Rating:
Summary: Good Value, Good Results, and Easy to Use
Review: I spent way too much time researching and comparing DVD/VCR recorder combos. If you're looking for a good deal that offers quality results, basic features, versatility, and is easy to set up and use, save your time and buy the Sylvania DVR 90VE. I was recording DVDs 20 minutes after opening the box. The one-touch recording to VHS and DVD as well as dubbing from VHS to DVD could not be simpler. Just be sure to use the correct recording media (4X DVD-R and 2X DVD-RW) covered in other reviews listed here, finalize your recordings, and you will have no problems.
The discs that have been tested with this machine are:
- Memorex 4X DVD-R and -RW
- FujiFilm 4X DVD-R and -RW
- Imation DVD-R 2.0 and -RW
- TDK 2X DVD-R and -RW
DVD-R 4X discs can be found at Office Max, Staples, CompUSA, Office Depot, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. You can get them on sale for around .35 per disc, which is cheaper than VHS tapes at places like Costco.
Be sure to use the correct brand of media as well. I recorded several movies using Maxell discs. I would sometimes get error messages saying "cannot record to this disc" while recording was being completed, even though other programs had already been recorded successfully to the same disc. These "errors" will still display on the disc menu and play back perfectly on this machine. However, they will not work on any other player. I switched to Memorex DVDs and have since recorded over 50 movies with no problems or error messages. All finalized discs work on a variety of other players.
DVD recording quality is excellent. I use the Sylvania in tandem with a Comcast DVR. The DVR is used to record programming from digital cable and the Sylvania is used to transfer recordings I want to keep from the DVR to DVD. There is no loss of quality in the transfer. There doesn't seem to be a difference in quality between the 2 and 4 hour recording modes. The 6 hour mode produces images comparable to a standard VHS tape. It also offers 8 and 10 hour modes. Dubbed recordings from VHS to DVD produce the same quality as the source tape as long as 2 or 4 hour recording mode is used.
The tuner provides a clear, crisp picture with very good contrast. I don't use advanced editing features so I can't compare how the Sylvania stacks up in that regard. However, it is very easy to title disc menus and chapters. Commercials and other unwanted segments can be easily edited using the pause button while in recording mode but you must monitor the programming in real time.
I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and versatility of this recorder. If you're looking for a no frills all-in-one machine that can be used for basic everyday viewing and recording, with the added bonus of tape to DVD dubbing, I would highly recommend this unit. As another review noted, the Emerson EWR20VR sold at Wal-Mart is the same machine, as is the Sylvania SRDV495 sold at Sears. All are made by Funai corporation.
Rating:
Summary: I Love this!
Review: I'll keep it short. Provided that DVD-R (not DVD+R) of 4x speed or less are used, this unit does everything I want it to. That simply is copy VCR tapes to DVD. It's great that you can choose recording times of up to 10 hours. I haven't tried a 10 hour use but I can attest that the 8 hour recording time works well for me. I will agree that the remote looks cheap and flimsy but it works perfectly fine. I just got a great deal from Amazon on "Velocity" brand DVD's that work perfectly in this unit. At 27cents per DVD this can't be beat.
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Rating:
Summary: THE BEST COMBO RECORDER OUT THERE!!!!!
Review: I'm not kidding when I say it, I have bought many and returned many! I have done extensive research online, and so far this unit has the MOST positive reviews out there. I have bought really expensive stuff, and had it packing the minute there was a glitch...aside the fact that some of those elaborate units were so confusing. But, not a glitch here, not on this one and it's the easiest ever to use.
Do NOT listen to any of those negative one star comments...they have no clue and they simply can't figure out what discs to use. It's very clear that with this unit you need to use DVD-R 1X, or 2X, or 4X (I always get 4X). People don't realize all the different types of discs there are out there...this is a fairly new field that people are becoming acquainted with and so, for those of you who don't understand what discs to get, write it down: DVD-R (not plus) 1X, or 2X, or 4X. If it's greater than 4X, it's no good. (The 8X are faster speed discs mostly used in computers where they burn quicker, it's a different concept when used on a regular DVD recorder, unlike what some person said on one of the reviews the 8X has nothing to do with quality and if you're planning getting this dvd recorder don't get 8X 'cause they won't work). The same goes for DVD-RW discs... Then again, some people don't know the difference between DVD-RW and DVD-R, so if you still don't know much about discs, try and get acquainted a bit on them. I personally like the TDK brand and try and stick with that. I wait til they are on sale, and then get a whole bunch. I always find them on sale too, at Staples, and the other day I saw they were on sale at Target. I don't mean to focus on the discs, but it seems to be the only negative issue people have complained about which, solely due to their lack of knowledge, is unfair as it shouldn't be a negative aspect of this recorder, and even if it were people should still not give a negative review just because they prefer to use 8X discs. This DVD recorder's performance is great and as far as I'm concerned it carries no faults.
The picture quality that it produces is of very good quality, and the DVD recordable speeds go up to 10 HRS. I usually stick to LP (4hrs). Also, the DVDs that I've recorded play beautifully on my two other DVD players.
Another great thing about this unit is the price. I bought mine at Sears discounted for $252.95(including TAX!!!!!...how great was that!!!). However, Walmart has the same machine with a few very minor differences in the remote and the body of the unit...but it's the same exact machine and they call it Emerson model # EWR20V4. I believe they sell it for $248.00 (price could change)... It's all one big company that comes out with these different brands...I believe another same machine is Symphonic, also carried at Walmart.
For those of you who are skeptical and think this is "too cheap" and that you need to spend a greater amount of money on a much more sophisticated machine so you don't encounter problems, please give this one a chance. This machine may be cheaper and simpler but that's why IT WORKS, because it's simple. Anyway, it's perfect to transfer your library of recorded stuff/movies from TV or homevideos, that's what I use it for. So far, I've transfered onto more than 100 discs. Go to your local Sears and try it, you have 30 days to return it. If you get the one at Walmart (Emerson VCR/DVD Recorder Combo, EWR20V4)you have 90 days to return it.
I hope this helped and good luck!
Rating:
Summary: I added a $19.99 Monitor to my Sylvania DVR 90VE
Review: July 16-18, 2004 I JUST received the Sylvania DVR90VE and I have already tranfered four of over 100 vhs recordings, we made over the last 40+ years. My old vhs tapes hold about 6 hours of recording each. I have now used the Sylvania DVR90V for over 24 hours of transfering (4)without any problems so far. I will ONLY use the Sylvania DVR90VE for transfering my VHS tapes to DVD's I will NOT hook the Sylvania DVR90VE to any off the air (TV). That is why I ordered(from "Amazon")the Coby CX-TV6 5-Inch Black & White TV With AM/FM Radio for $19.99, soley to use as a monitor for my Sylvania DVR90VE,which works perfectly monitoring my transfering of my VHS tapes to DVD. All the accessories included with the $19.99 Coby CX-TV6,(from Amazon) was all that was required to make both units compatable. I use my other (Panasonic) dvd/vhs recorder (from Amazon) for recording directly from my satelite TV reception as well as general viewing. This prevents tying up my primary (viewing)TV for the Sylvania DVR90VE. Hopefully, "Amazon" will be able to offer an extended warranty (for a fee) just for the DVR90E or can REFER a reputable extended warranty service for the DVR90E. Update: 7/19/2004 "Amazon" came through again,they offered and I purchased (today)the "Two Year Audio-Video Service Plan for components priced between $200-$499.99" for only $24.99, offered (via "Amazon) by "N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc." Joe
Rating:
Summary: They listened . . .
Review: Setup was very easy, as others have mentioned. But I'm really glad that I came here before opening the box, because the feedback on which blank discs to get came in very handy.
It looks like they might have actually taken all the complaints about the manual specifying the wrong (8x) variety, because my manual clearly states that only DVD-R 4x or DVD-RW 2x can be used with the machine, no DVD+R, etc.
Of course, the first blank I tried was one of the three free ones that came in the box - so if not for the helpful Amazon reviewers, at least I would have known that particular kind was a safe bet (they included 3 Maxell DVD-R discs).
Hope the machines that are being shipped out now all come with this updated manual and blank media!
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