Rating: 
Summary: Relieved!
Review: I ordered this and after reading a few of the reviews was a little nervous about my order. I am not an electronics master but I do love the toys, I usually have a buddy of mine help me set it up, then I use it, he couldn't help me on this because he was out of town. The manual was a little hard to follow, but the quick manual that comes with it is much better. After a couple of trial and error and patience testing tests, it worked great, not only that, I was worried about the horror stories with the 1-800 number. I got right through and in less than a couple of minutes all my questions were answered, I have called them twice and got the same satisfactory result. I have TIVO, I am sure there is a way to get better quality, though it is still great, but I ran my cable to my cable box, to TIVO, to my VCR, to the Phillips recorder. Then I ran RCA's from the Phillips to the TV. I record on a different antenna/channel than I normally watch. I split the signal after the TIVO and run one straight to my TV when I am not using the Phillips. REMEMBER TO FINALIZE AND ONLY BUY THE DVD+R OR +RW's, there are -r's out there and you don't want them, anyway, I thought it was easy to hook up, use and the customer service worked for me.
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time!!!!
Review: Finally, a way to record my favorite tv programs and movies to DVD. VHS is a thing of the past for me. Plus, all the great movies I have that are only available on VHS, I'll be able to transfer over to DVD.Now, about Philip's tech support. I've heard so much terrible things about their tech support that I was dubious about calling them. Now, I only had to call them once since I've had this wonderful machine and, needless to say, the slight hiccup I experienced was due to my own fault and not that of the recorder. I called tech support, spoke to a customer service agent almost immediately and a few minutes later had the slight hitch all worked out. Setting up the machine was a breeze and I've had no problem playing and figureing out all the bells and whistles. The manuel, which I've seen some describe as almost worthless, is actually quite easy to navigate and follow. Now, to clear up some things that I had found confusing in the other reviews of this product. Right off the bat, I decided I would only use DVD+RW discs. First off, in case I messed up a recording, I wouldn't end up with a gorgeous new coaster for my tea. Also, DVD+R may be more compatible with DVD players and such, but unlike DVD+RW, they must be finalized before playback on them is possible. With my DVD+RW disc, I recorded an episode of Charmed and then popped it into my very old computer with a DVD-ROM drive and it played! I couldn't believe it. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. I'll be enjoying many great recordings with this product for a long time. Congrats Philips. You've got a great product here.
Rating: 
Summary: VHS? Bwahahaha!
Review: First, if you want to burn your own DVDs using TV/VCR input, a stand-alone unit is the way to go over a drive on your computer.
Second, after doing the research on the various formats, I chose the Philips DVDR985. I'd been told that the DVD+R & DVD+RW formats were generally more compatible with existing players than the -R and -RAM formats and I had lots of old VHS tapes that I wanted to convert to DVD.
After I recorded my first video onto a +RW disk, it played fine on my Pioneer DVD player, but wouldn't play on my GO dual deck, my sister's noname brand player or my PlayStation 2 (sigh...). However, when I recorded a video onto a DVD+R disk, it has played on virtually every DVD player I've tried it in (though not the GO deck). Honestly, this really isn't a problem since most of the DVDs I record I'll be watching on the Philips, but was something to take into account when I wanted to share my DVDs (and if I buy another DVD player, I'll be sure to bring one of my disks to see if it will play in it).
This is a great machine for everyday recording and chapter breaks can be set to appear automatically every 5 or 6 minutes (depending on the recording speed) or can be input manually at the touch of a button. On the I/O side, there are tons of jacks on the back (and a few on the front) which make it simple to hook it up to other playback/recording devices.
Instruction manual is okay - but could be better, and my only experience with customer service dealt with a few emails about compatibility issues that went unanswered (well, actually I got return emails that asked if I was given a helpful response).
Overall, I'm happy with my purchase. I use the machine every day which is generally a good indication (of any purchase) that it was money well spent.
Rating:
Summary: Great Buy
Review: Yes, this is not the easiest home electonic device I have ever used, but it performs beautifully once you set it up. Copying my VHS tapes to more permanent DVD's will preserve my investment in all of the movies I have purchased over the years. The unit has a great number of features and I look forward to many years of recording fun.
Rating:
Summary: Evolution of VCR
Review: The Phillips 985 has replaced our vcr and then some. I have to admit, it took me a week to hook it up and then figure out how to operate it properly, but oh how it works !! The DVD discs copied from our digital sattelite receiver are of remarkable quality both in picture and sound. Surround sound and picture clarity match store bought DVD movies copied off TV for your own convenient viewing.
If you hook this up to replace your vcr use the same wiring procedure. The owners manual can be a little confusing. The DVD+R and RW format works perfectly on just about any DVD player and the blank discs are reasonably priced on the internet. I found recording in the 2,3 and four hour modes all superior in quality to VHS. This product is the way to go and I found the best price through Amazon.
Rating:
Summary: Very impressive!
Review: I found this product to be very easy to use and of very high quality. I am extremely impressed with the performance of this machine, and so far, I have found it to be compatable with a large number of DVD players and DVD drives. I highly recommend the +R format over the -R DVD ram, it's well worth the extra money.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT Recorder!!! Fair Manual.. Wonderful Price!!!
Review: As one who could consider themselves a videophile (I've had VCR's since 1977 (Beta and VHS), SVHS since 1988, Laser since the mid-80's, and DVD's for four years), I have been waiting for DVD recorders to crack the $1000.00 barrier. When I started seeing them being listed on Amazon.com, I knew it would be only a matter of time before I bought one. The reviews by consumers of the recorders on Amazon.com were great, once you separated those who expected the DVD recorders to be like a low-maintenance VCR from those who followed methodical steps when using a new product, the Philips DVDR985 looked like a good deal. ...While I'll honor Amazon's policy of not telling you what the price is until you put it into your cart, trust me, the price is even lower now than it was four months ago. And shipping was fast. It left their store within two hours of the order and was delivered 1000 miles away in two days with standard shipping. Philips makes good equipment, and this one is very versatile. I have it hooked-up to SVHS/RCA inputs and outputs on my receiver to record from SVHS, Laser Discs, Beta, and satelite. I also have it hooked-up to the 75-ohm lead from the cable. As a recorder of video programs, it puts VCR recordings to shame, even those with flying erase heads. While recording a live program, one can make a noise-less pause to omit commercials, and the problem with the creeping clock seems to have been resolved. Recording quality depends on the quality of the source. Trash-in yields trash-out, but if it's a good source, you'll have a great long lasting image. You can record at over 500 lines of resolution at the 1-hour and 2-hour settings per disc, and SVHS quality at the 3-hour setting. The 4-hour setting is a little less, but much better than VHS. The manual could be a lot better. Someone's suggestion of reading the whole book first is a good one. The quick start pages leave out the part about "finalizing" the DVD after finishing your recording (finalizing makes the DVD playable on other DVD players). When reading the manual, have a couple of pages of note paper nearby. Label one "steps in recording (including setting the timer)," another "setting recording speeds," and another "setting recording inputs." Once you have that knowledge, you can begin recording and enjoying the equipment while reading the rest of the manual. DVD recording is the future. With the Philips DVDR985, the future is NOW! If it came with a better manual, I'd say this one could be used by anyone, but until so, only someone who doesn't rush into recording should get this one. Would I buy it again. Yes.
Rating:
Summary: Impressed
Review: With the limited experience I have with the DVDR985 Recorder I say it is worth the investment and I will rate it 4 star. However, Customer Service rates a big ZERO.
Read on.
As mentioned in one of the reviews, I downloaded the Owner's Manual from the Philips website and read it a few times. Having also read many of the reviews I decided I would order a DVDR985 Recorder.
On December 31, 2002, I placed my order and promptly received it on January 6, 2003 at about 2:00 p.m. EST. I proceeded to unpack the recorder and started connecting per the instructions. After a few hours of frustration trying to follow the owners manual I decided to follow the directions on the front cover. "for fast help, call us first 1-800-531-0039"
I must apologize for such a lengthy explanation, but if you have to contact Customer Service you need to know what to expect.
At 3:40 p.m. I called the number listed above which was answered by an automated answering system prompting me to press 1 for an English speaking operator followed by 2 for a DVD Technician and was told to standby and my call would be answered in the order in which it was received.
At 3:50 p.m. a live person requested my name, address and telephone number, they wanted to know what my problem was with what type of unit. We had great difficulty understanding each other and it took 6 minutes for me to make the operator understand my name, address and telephone number.
My name and address are not lengthy, (my name has 12 characters, my street address 11, city & state 12 and my telephone number 10).
At 3.56 p.m., I was put on hold until 4:05 p.m. when I was advised that a technician would contact me within the next 24 to 48 hours. I asked the operator if something more reasonable could be worked out as I could not set by the telephone for the next 24 to 48 hours. The operator repeated the same 24 to 48 hour comment. I went back to the manual and after another few more hours finally got the unit working.
I was never contacted within the next 24 to 48 hours.
On January 16, 2003 I received an envelope postmarked January 13, 2003 with a letter dated January 8, 2003 from Philips Customer Service requesting I contact them, as I could not be reached at the telephone number I provided.
On January 16, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. I called the number listed in the letter and after the usual automated answering system I was greeted by an operator and I requested to speak to the person that had signed the letter. I was put on hold for a brief period and the operator returned to say the technician had just stepped out to lunch and would return in about a half hour and assured me that the technician would return my call upon his/her return. The operator verified my telephone number.
At 3:00 p.m. with no return call I called again and spoke to a different operator who told me that the person I requested was assisting a customer and when they were finished I would be the next one called. I asked how long I should wait before I called again in case I wasn't called. We agreed on 4:00 p.m.. This operator also verified my telephone number.
At 4:00 p.m. I called and requested to speak to the same person and after a brief hold was told that the person was out to lunch and would return a call upon his/her return. I then asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that all supervisors were busy. "I give up!"
I finally have this unit working and as luck would have it, my own DVD player will not play these recordings. The manual leaves a lot to be desired for connections and the DVD+R and DVD+RW explanations are quite an education. I have done much experimenting with HQ/SP/LP/EP and clearly HQ and SP are better. With some practice the operation is relatively simple and works quite well.
With the treatment I received from Customer Service I should return the unit but my hands are tied and I am proceeding with the many hours needed to record 70 years of family gatherings and functions beginning in the 1930's obtained from 8 & 16 millimeter B/W movies through to present day digital video that must be preserved on DVD for further generations. P.S.
Today is January 20, 2003 and as yet I have not heard from anyone at Customer Service and yes I have caller ID and my phone does not block 800 numbers. For your general information;
After sending 2 letters by registered mail to two different Philips addresses,a service representative contacted me by phone on February 14,2003 at 8:10 P.M.EST
Rating:
Summary: Great Performance So Far
Review: For archiving video onto disc, this unit has performed very well so far. You do have to read the setup instructions carefully, but that's no problem. Since the price of blank recordable DVDs have come down so low, I see no reason to record on VHS any longer. But there are caveats. You have to handle the recorded discs carefully. It doesn't take many scratches to ruin a disc. Don't expect the DVD to have better sound or video than the original that you are recording. The editorial review is misleading in this regard. But I'm happy with the sound and video quality. As a playback unit, the 985 does very well, but rather than use this to watch commercial DVDs, I plan to just use it as a recorder to extend its lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great product.
Review: I was skeptical about purchasing this product. There have been a number of ratings in which the user states that the completed DVD's are not compatible. I didn't want to spend that much money for a product with limited compatibility. I told myself I would immediately return it if I ran into the same problem. After I set it up according to the directions, I recorded a DVD+R from cable. After the disk was FINALIZED, it ran in all brands of DVD players that I own. These include, Proscan(RCA), Samsung, and Pioneer units. The disk was compatible with ALL players I own. So far I have not run into any problems. It is a little complicated regarding setting up and various recording options, but for a unit this complete that is to be expected. It is definitely not plug and play like a DVD Player. My main use for this device will be to back up home videos and prerecorded videos on a more permanent format. I also want to download pictures from my digital camera onto a DVD so I can send them to family members to watch on their television. In conclusion, except for a complicated setup and directions, this unit works perfectly. I will be using DVD+RW soon and hope they are also trouble-free. I have not encountered any compatibility issues previously encountered. If I do have problems in the future, I will come back and revise this review. Good luck with your purchase.
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