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We are using Memorex now and it doesn't happen so much, but we don't use RW at all anymore. For this, it worked fine. We had a Toshiba last time, good chance that'll be our next purchase, which looks like it will be soon. We taped a favorite program just this week (NCIS) and when we sat down to view, it was botched.
Anything recorded was lost. We love being able to record onto DVDs, and wanted to transfer some old VHSs over to DVD. On a positive note, the VHS works fine, tho we didn't use it much. and wait. That is what brought me here, to warn anyone thinking of buying this model.
OK, no big deal. Guess I was spoiled with our Toshiba, it was at least 3x's faster.The disc also has to be sparkling clean to play, or "no disc" displayed.The worst problem was with an entire batch of Sony DVD-RW discs, they would make the machine do all sorts of strange stuff, and then the dvd would'nt play anymore.
One of the reasons we chose this model is the high ratings it had at the time. I notice that others are having problems now, too.
I probably wouldn't even use Samsung again to be safe. We have had this DVD-VR357 for over a year now, and would not recommend it to anyone.
But when you record something, when you're finished, it takes several minutes to 'stop' - and I'm not talking finalizing-that's another 5-6 minutes. The problems we've had are numerous, and here are a few:It's VERY slow.
Put your DVD in and wait. The FF features worked good, too.
I could not get it to eject. The VCR lives on.
Took it to Best Buy Geek Squad and they removed it for me free, but wanted $75 to make the door open and close again. And who knows if it still worked.
Very annoying remote. I spent another month trying to find anything to prove its still in warranty, so now in the 12th month, I am stuck.
The tiny buttons are in very inconvenient spots and you have to press them VERY hard to make them work. I spotted one at a neighbor's and she had the same complaint.The DVD worked fine for about 11 months, then a DVD got stuck in the drive during a write operation.
I ordered a new Toshiba today and will guard the paperwork this time.
The product worked as it should, however there were parts missing and broken, not a good image for Samsung.
Now, I know I can download and print it out, but it was 88 pages of printing. When I phoned Samsung to ask them to send us a manual, the lady said it's Samsung's policy not to send out manuals. So, we were left with either buying a manual or returning the recorder, so we returned the recorder to the store. It may be a good product, I'll never know. When we opened the box, there was no user manual. Don't think we will be buying a Samsung product again.
This is just one of the machines that I currently have, and I've had plenty over the years. Other DVD recorders will do 1 hour plus 2 to 3 minutes. But if you are looking to get a machine just to transfer your video tapes to DVD, then go for it. Luckily I purchased an extended warranty when I bought this machine; so I'll be swapping it for a Sony when this Samsung finally kicks the bucket. If you are in the middle of recording a live show and had to switch discs, good luck - you're not going to make it. Although Sony brand DVD+R's works fine, go figure. Regardless of what you are recording, if you're like me, you wouldn't want to wait 5 minutes for this thing to do something other machines do in mere seconds.
It does seem to like Sony discs. I recommend using a lens cleaner (a disc with a tiny brush attached to it) from time to time, it helped extend the life of one of my machines, when I thought that it was about to be a candidate for the scrap heap. Also, the DVD-R format seems to be preferred over DVD+R's. Commercial time is usually 3 to 3.5 minutes. But all my computers can read these discs just fine.BTW, some brand of discs simply does not go down well with this thing, it doesn't like the TDK brand for instance. This machine takes 3 whole minutes just stop a recording, and write the table information to disc. These minutes add up over time. They all crap out in a year or so.
Just so you know, I have yet to find the perfect machine. If you are looking for a DVD Recorder, I recommend buying another brand. And yes, I have experience difficulties playing discs recorded on this machine, when using a DVD player of a different brand. May Allah and the Force Be With You, not to mention the Leprechauns. I've never cursed more than when I drive in New York City traffic, but using this machine is very much a close runner up in my list of things-that-most-annoy-me. There is one plus this machine has going for it, it extends the high quality (XP) record time to 1 hour and 12 minutes. Holy sweet mother of Jesus.
But this one is by far the slowest. After agonizing over how slow it's taking to stop the first disc, you'll have to wait for the machine to "initialize" the new disc (not long in this case, just a few seconds), wait for it to then "load" the newly initialized disc before continuing with your record process. The whole process can take 5 minutes. I expect it to be soon.
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