Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

In January 2011, I purchased the DVD-VR375A DVD/VHS Recorder/Player to incorporate into one of my deposition systems, and to be used as a back-up recorder. I was encouraged that it had a VHS recorder built in that was capable of simultaneous DVD/VHS recording.

Upon receipt of the item, I did a cursory check of the unit to be sure that everything functioned. In my set-up, I connect a camera & mics through a mixer to the analog audio & video inputs. In my test, I shot a static object & ran one mic through the mixer. It appeared that everything was functioning properly, so I set the unit aside. It was intended as a back-up system. I didn't actually need it until a few months later.

At this time, on a video shoot, I found that the audio & video were not in sync with each other. Immediately, I contacted Samsung Tech Support. They determined that I simply needed to update the firmware. They shipped a Firmware Update disc (which took the full nine business days that they had said it might take). Upon inserting the disc, I received a "DISC CAN BE NEITHER PLAYED NOR RECORDED" error message. Once again, I contacted Tech Support & they determined that I needed a replacement disc.

After waiting for two weeks, and having not received the disc, I contacted Samsung again. They hadn't sent out the disc, so they decided it was time to hook up a different camera to the DVD-VR375A. Since this was going to take some time, they told me they would check back with me in 12-24 hours. After 48 hours had passed with no call, I called them back. Because of my re-test results, they agreed the second disc should be sent after all. Finally, after another nine days, I received the replacement disc. Incredibly, this new disc gave me the same error message as the previous disc, "DISC CAN BE NEITHER PLAYED NOR RECORDED".

Once again, I contacted Tech Support & related the disappointing results. Their solution? I should wait for a third disc to be sent to me to update the firmware! I told them that too much time had elapsed & that I wanted a quicker & more assured resolution to this matter. They said I could download the firmware, which hadn't worked from the provided discs, from their website. When I went to the Samsung website, I downloaded the file, unzipped it, but found that the provided firmware would not be opened by a Mac computer All of my computers are Macs, so I couldn't utilize this solution. The last option they gave me, when I said I wanted the problem resolved, was to ship it at my cost, plus pay an estimated $40 for labor. The item replacement option had passed. With repair of the unit seeming to be my only realistic venue, I asked to proceed in this way. They were to provide to me via instructions & address via email. That was almost 12 hours ago, and I've yet to receive an email from Samsung Tech Support.

I had been a Samsung enthusiast prior to this experience. Not only can I NOT recommend the Samsung DVD-VR375A Recorder/Player, but my experience with Samsung Customer Support has made me question any future purchases of their products. I strongly advise against the purchase of this product. If you do decide to purchase anything by Samsung, be sure to put it into service before any portion of the full warranty has expired.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

I ordered another less well rated DVD/VCR combo from buy.com and it was kaput in a few months. [...] I tried this brand and it has been about three months and cross my fingers no problem so far--but I purchases the service policy just to be sure.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Very easy set-up and good quality picture.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

It is so easy to dub from VHS to DVD. You just have to touch one button.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Was excited to receive it but it was defective! The B&H return policy is outstanding and I had a new one within a few days! New one works great! I bought it to dub my family VHS tapes to DVD. I am using DVD+R (Verbatim) also bought at B&H and they are working well.

The machine remote is not compatable with my Vizio TV remote nor my Cisco cable box (Comcast). All that means is that Samsung does not have code numbers to program my remotes...so I use the one provided to run the machine. Not a big deal! Also do not have an HDMI cable connecting from the TV to the machine so the tv stations are not filling the TV screen only 480p. You need to connect an HDMI cable from the machine to the TV for 720and 1080. Overall, a grat buy for the money!

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Bought this for making a DVD copy of program I love [...]. I thought my older unit was broken. To my surprise it is that the new box I received [...] does not allow to make it anymore! What a disappointment. NO doubt that the Samsung DVD-VR375A is good since I have other Samsung electronics and have been always satisfied. This occasion is just to let you know how happy I am with the price [...] from B&H! Sincerely yours, Bernhard. PS: By the way my old unit is still working good.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

The product is easy to use and so far has been a great product. The only downfall is that it does not come with built in tuner.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Great product, Records very good.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

It rescued my good memories recorded in VHS

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

This unit replaced a Panasonic model and I like the Samsung much better. Recording DVD or VHS is straightforward and simple, and performance is great for a unit of this price. A suggestion: Buy PLENTY of blank discs if you plan on dubbing old VHS tapes or home movies. It's inevitable that many discs will be discarded when you get into the recording process. This is no fault of the unit, rather the need to redo some as get into making the fancier [adding titles, menus and so on]. Generally speaking, this is great unit for the price...My only complaint is that after 5 months of modest use, the DVD mechanism is failing. Even though these later-day recorders, at least for me, never seem last longer than 2 years a breakdown this soon is disappointing. I'm still within the warranty period but suspect the labor cost to be more than the defective part itself [likely why warranty plans are written as such]. If repair cost comes anywhere close to the cost of the unit, I will be very upset.Given the more 'dosposable' nature of theses personal electronics, I highly recommend purchasing the extended service plan. Most people may not have a problem down the road or ever, but if you plan on using the unit a lot it may actually pay for itself. I will undoubtedly pay more for the repair than the [$]some cost of the extended service plan, so in my circumstance it would have been economical. You have to make that call.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Although I only had it for a few days, it worked just fine, without any of the kinks my previous big-name item had...I have a feeling this item and I will spend many fine hours together, recording and playing again and again and again!!

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

I own/operate a video business, providing video deposition services. Although I haven't put this unit into full use, my initial impressions are quite favorable. It's used as one of two DVD recorders in a deposition kit. I also like the fact that I can run a VHS backup (this machine has simultaneous DVD/VHS record capability). It's never my intention to use the VHS tape for court, but it is nice to have just in case both DVDs should fail (very unlikely, but why not run it if it's there?). Quality of the recordings look very good.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

The recorder did not have simple in-out connections compatable with DirecTV. The user's manual was very poorly written by someone with a limited knowledge of both English and technical writing.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

I use the product to perpetuate my home videos

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Dubbing from VHS to DVD couldn't be easier. Hint: get familiar with the menu! The picture on the recorded DVD is excellent. Average loading speed. I wish it had an optical audio output to my A/V receiver.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

This DVR has the advantage of allowing you to play and record on two media: DVDs and VHS tape. For those like us who have both, it's a great convenience.

Unfortunately the unit we brought home wouldn't allow us to access the device's menu to set up timed recordings. Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it. And it didn't have a coax connection to the set-top box or TV.

Great concept; poor execution.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

I've not been able to get it to work with my Vizio TV. I'm disappointed at this point since I can't use the remote to get the TV or to tape
.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

I use this DVD/VCR recorder with our Samsung tv and it is awesome how the TV recognizes when a signal is coming from this component and plays it automatically. It's never been easier to watch a movie.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

Easy to use and easy to finalize disk for playback, good quality recording.

Comments about Samsung DVD-VR375A DVD/VCR Combo Recorder:

I purchsed the unit to convert my old VHS tapes to DVDs. Althought the unit's onscreeen porogramming is very simple. it would not copy DVDs that I bought prerecorded from the video store due to copyright restrictions. It will only copy tapes that I had made from TV shows. It is nice to have both a DVD and VHS in one unit to save space. It does not play BluRay DVDs either.