The Philips DVDR75 DVD Recorder ( Phillips ) Reviewed

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this page where you'll find links to other Phillips DVD recorder articles.

This is an older generation DVD recorder by Philips. Check out the latest Philips DVD Recorder.

It should be noted that although the Phillips DVD recorder is a fine product it's important to at least skim the other articles (especially Panasonic) on this site about other manufacturers.

To get in depth info on the Phillips DVD recorder line continue to the articles below.

DVD recorders maybe the final nail in the coffin for VCRs but buying a DVD recorder still involves adventure. DVD recorders use different disc formats. That means when you burn DVDs they may not play on all machines. DVD recorders can use the following formats when they burn DVDs:

DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM.

DVD-R and DVD+R can be recorded one time just like CD-Rs in the CD format. DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM can be used and erased hundreds of times.

If you copy DVD-R (The Panasonic and Pioneer DVD recorder formats) or copy DVD+R (The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder format) than it's likely your disc will play on most DVD players. The real limitations begin when you choose the rewritable discs. If you copy DVD+RW with the Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder than your disc will play on most DVD players.

If you choose to burn a DVD-RAM disc, one of the formats that Panasonic uses, almost no DVD player will play that disc. This, to me, renders the DVD-RAM a footnote in DVD history. As long as you stick to recording DVDs in the DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD+RW formats you'll be able to view your video on most DVD players.

With a DVD recorder you can copy from DVDs, TV satellite dish signals, VHS tapes, and camcorders (VHS-C, HI-8, DV) onto DVD discs. There are a multitude of uses for DVD recorders. You can record episodic TV shows, preserve treasured home videos and much, much more.

DVDs wear very well and don't degrade after viewing. Additionally, they will play on computers, DVD players and on the DVD recorder as well. If the picture clarity doesn't make you throw out your VCR the ability to navigate freely around the DVD most certainly will.

I'll give you a rundown on the most affordable DVD recorder’s and their features so you don't pay for unnecessary options. Camcorder owners will need input and output interfaces to transfer their tapes and burn DVDs. This is not a problem since all models will have S-video and composite video In and Out.

Although the Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder incorporates most options it's wise to look at all DVD recorder features. For example, many widescreen TVs have a feature known as progressive scanning (essentially a line doubler providing a more defined, clearer picture) so it makes sense to stick to a DVD recorder (or DVD Player) that has the same feature.

To see Phillips' latest progressive scan DVD/Player recorder (loaded with options and several I/O's) Read this article on the Philips HDRW720 .

The HDRW720 is Phillips latest technology in DVD recording.

I've always been a big believer in Consumer Reports magazine and generally follow their recommendations. They're always looking out for you the consumer.

In the Dec/04 issue (pp.18-19) Consumer Reports has this to say about buying electronics at Amazon. "In our survey, no retailer received topmarks across the board for price, selection, and service. Amazon.com did receive top marks in the categories in which it was rated-the only outlet to do so.....Consumer Reports readers gave Amazon.com very high marks."

Amazon is one of the best sources on the internet (keep in mind that you'll pay no sales tax either).

Here are pricing links from most recent to oldest generation machines from the Phillips DVD recorder line at Amazon.

If you own a Mini DV however you'll find that all DVD recorders do not have a FireWire input, important for downloading video from a Mini DV tape. The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder is a model that has this component.

Additionally, if you're own or are in the market for a widescreen TV or an LCD projector you'll need a component In and Out signal. This breaks down the signal into RGB (the 3 cables representing red, green and blue). RGB Out is useful to create a better and cleaner signal thus sharper and clearer picture----a necessity on a magnified picture.

Component signals, better than composite or S-video, will enhance your viewing experience if your DVD recorder is connected to your widescreen system. (Again see the Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder).

I’ll first preview the Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder.

I feel this recorder has the most bang for your buck. It's not the sleekest DVD recorder but it's all substance and little style. If all new DVD recorders were as easy to use as the Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder then VHS will surely disappear over the next few years. Once a video source is inputted you insert a disc, press Play and Rec and you're ready to copy DVDs. It really is that simple.

The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder has progressive scanning and as mentioned earlier--Component In and Out signals (RGB for clarity), S-Video and Composite Video for analog (VHS camcorder) transfer. The machine is FireWire ready to provide a pure digital picture and sound transfer from Mini DV camcorders. This is a 4 wire FireWire so make sure you have compatible equipment. The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder writes to DVD+R and DVD+RW discs. The recorded discs do play back on most DVD players.

The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder has a built in TV tuner with VCR plus. While the scene indexing is not as flexible as a PC DVD burner the machine automatically indexes a scene every five minutes or you can opt to place your own markers. The index is then displayed when you put the disc into your DVD player.

You can look over this DVD recorder's operating manual by following this link (give it a moment to load) The Philips DVDR 75 user manual

Major Quirks: The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder lacks the "time slip" feature of the Panasonic but otherwise a very competent machine.

Conclusion: The Philips DVDR75 DVD recorder's cheaper price makes this the value DVD recorder. (Amazon's prices are always competitive and their backup has yet to be excelled. Amazon is also the internet's oldest major vendor.) The Philips DVD recorder is not as sleek as the Pioneer and lacks Panasonic's "time slip" feature but the Philips DVDR75 can truly replace your VCR at the best price possible.