The LG RC897T DVD VHS Recorder Offers HDMI Output but Poor Customer Service if You Have a Problem

The LG RC897T is a versatile super multi DVD VHS recorder that comes with a digital TV tuner and the ability to record over the air broadcasts onto VCR tapes or DVDs.

This latest recorder from LG is capable of playing audio CD, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, D VD+R and DVD+RW and video content format in VHS, DVD, MP3, WMA and JPG formats.

The LG RC897T offers great picture quality with a very good ATSC tuner that allows you to view channels and record one program while watching another.

Although the sound quality is a little lacking the tuner is excellent and allows you to view all the available digital channels with a perfect picture.

This DVD VHS recorder can record in four different speeds and is useful for people who want to record their favorite TV shows. You can give a title to your recording or divide you recordings onto a single DVD with various sections and multiple titles. As always you should finalize your recorded disks to ensure that they can play on other DVD recorder or player.

What’s odd about this DVD recorder is that this LG model does not have any buttons or controls on the unit. You have to rely on your remote which is also a bit difficult to understand at first – and don’t lose the remote! It lacks the ability to allow you to play the VCR when the DVD is recording or vice versa which is strange since earlier models had this feature.

This LG model does not have a DVD main programming screen that let’s you know when the machine will stop recording. If you want to see the turn off time you’ll need to go back into the actual programming screen.

It is advisable to use the VR recording mode instead of the video recording mode because the unit may randomly stop recording due to issues related to copy protection. The timed recording feature does not allow for repeated recording of programs. The recording quality is very good due to its HDMI feature.

The LG machine’s ability to use single HDMI output for DVD and VHS allows the use of a single cable between the pre-amp/receiver or television. SIMPLINK allows the LG unit to change to the active link when it is powered on but only works if connected to another LG device.

Conclusion: This DVD VHS recorder is not user friendly due to the lack of buttons on the machine. This requires you to do a thorough study of the manual which may not be easily understood. The company really should work on its manual to make it clear and understandable.

There have been isolated customer complaints about this recorder not working properly after a few months. The complaints being that it fails to format and sometimes gives error messages when copying home made tapes or movies. There have also been complaints of poor customer service by the company so consider all the pros and cons of this product before you buy it. These negatives make this LG machine just average despite its good quality recording output.

If you're interested in this machine Amazon, one of the most trusted internet vendors, has the LG RC897T Multi-Format DVD recorder available at its site.

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