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LG RC 897T

Price range:

$224.99 - $239.99

Summary: A progressive-scan DVD recorder/VCR with built-in tuner and pseudo-HD upconversion.

8 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: DVD recorders with built-in VCR

About - LG RC 897T
The RC 897T is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD recorder models like the RC 897T are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Prerecorded DVDs (480i): Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on both analog and digital TVs when the unit is playing prerecorded 480i discs. Prerecorded DVDs (480p): Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on both analog and digital TVs when the unit is playing prerecorded 480p discs. Recording (fine): Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of recordings made to both blank DVDs (at the one-hour, fine-mode picture quality setting) and, when applicable, the unit's hard drive at the same picture quality setting. Models equipped with VCRs scored "Good" for VCR recording at the SP picture quality setting.

About - LG RC 897T

The RC 897T is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD recorder models like the RC 897T are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Prerecorded DVDs (480i):: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on both analog and digital TVs when the unit is playing prerecorded 480i discs.
Prerecorded DVDs (480p):: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of images on both analog and digital TVs when the unit is playing prerecorded 480p discs.
Recording (fine):: Scores of this picture-quality test indicate the sharpness and detail of recordings made to both blank DVDs (at the one-hour, fine-mode picture quality setting) and, when applicable, the unit's hard drive at the same picture quality setting. Models equipped with VCRs scored "Good" for VCR recording at the SP picture quality setting.

Features & Specs - LG RC 897T
Built-in tuner Has a built-in tuner that can receive and decode over-the-air digital (DTV) and analog (conventional) TV signals, unscrambled analog cable TV signals, and, unless otherwise noted, unscrambled digital cable TV signals. Models that lack a tuner must be connected to a cable box, satellite box, tuner equipped DVR, or some other TV tuning device to receive and record TV broadcasts. Broadcast of over-the-air analog TV signals is scheduled to be discontinued on February 17, 2009. After this date devices that normally receive an over-the-air TV broadcasts (such as TVs, VCRs, DVD recorders, and DVRs that are equipped with conventional TV tuners) will no longer be able to unless they are also equipped with, or are connected to a tuner that can receive and decode over-the-air digital TV signals (basic analog cable TV reception will not be affected). Note that models with built-in tuners can be used as DTV or unscrambled digital cable converter boxes to enable TV programming to be receive by TVs that lack DTV or digital cable TV tuners. Built-in tuner	Yes
Set-top box control A recording device's ability to change channels automatically on a cable box or a satellite receiver--needed to record programs from several channels when time-shift recording from a cable box or a satellite receiver. Set-top box control	Yes
Pseudo HD up-conversion Can up-convert the video from standard DVDs to 720p, 1080i, and for some models, 1080p resolution which may result in better picture quality on fixed pixel display HDTVs. Note that upconversion does not produce a true HD picture. Pseudo HD up-conversion	Yes
Records to DVD-R For DVD recorders, the ability to record onto writable DVDs in the DVD-R format. This format is highly compatible with other DVD recorders and players, but once a recording is made, you can't re-record over it. Depending on the recorder, limited editing can be performed on the recorded material. Records to DVD-R	Yes
Records to DVD-RW (video) For DVD recorders, the ability to record onto re-writable DVDs in the DVD-RW format's video mode. This format is highly compatible with newer DVD recorders and players. Once a recording is made, you can re-record over it. Depending on the recorder, limited editing can be performed on the recorded material. Records to DVD-RW (video)	Yes
Records to DVD-RW (VR) For DVD recorders, the ability to record onto re-writable DVDs in the DVD-RW format's VR mode. This format is only compatible with certain DVD recorders and players. Once a recording is made, you can re-record over it. This (in VR mode) and the DVD-RAM format are the only two that let you fully edit what you've recorded. With some recorders, this format also lets you view a previously recorded program at the same time you are recording another, or pause, reverse, or fast-forward a program while you are still recording it. Records to DVD-RW (VR)	Yes
Records to DVD+R For DVD recorders, the ability to record onto writable DVDs in the DVD+R format. This format is highly compatible with other DVD recorders and players, but once a recording is made, you can't re-record over it. Depending on the recorder, limited editing can be performed on the recorded material. Records to DVD+R	Yes
Records to DVD+RW For DVD recorders, the ability to record onto re-writable DVDs in the DVD+RW format. This format is highly compatible with newer DVD recorders and players. Once a recording is made you can re-record over it. Depending on the recorder, limited editing can be performed on the recorded material. Records to DVD+RW	Yes
Records to DVD-RAM For DVD recorders, the ability to record onto re-writable DVDs in the DVD-RAM format. This format is only compatible with certain DVD recorders and players. Once a recording is made, you can re-record over it. This and the DVD-RW format (in VR mode) are the only two that let you fully edit what you've recorded. This format also lets you view a previously recorded program at the same time you are recording another, or pause, reverse, or fast-forward a program while you are still recording it. Records to DVD-RAM	Yes
HDMI output Has High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) output for direct digital audio and video connection to digital TVs with HDMI input. Can output 480p, 720p, and 1080i video signals, although signals upconverted from 480i or 480p to 720p or 1080i do not produce a true HD picture. HDMI output	Yes
Coaxial digital-audio out Digital-audio output is important only if you plan to pipe the signal from the DVD recorder into a home-theater system that has a digital receiver. When choosing your DVD recorder, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. All DVD recorders have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Coaxial digital-audio out	Yes
Optical digital-audio out Digital-audio output is important only if you plan to pipe the signal from the DVD player into a home-theater system that has a digital receiver. When choosing your DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. All DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Optical digital-audio out	Yes
More features and specs

User Reviews - LG RC 897T

Average User Rating

(based on 8 reviews)

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Displaying Reviews 1-3 of 8 See all 8 user reviews

Great if you want a 90 day product

By Wants quality for his money from Boulder, Colorado on 2/6/2010

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How long have you owned it:

Three-to-six months

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

This product worked very well for about 100 days and then it died - Unfortunately it has a 90 day labor warranty. Read up on it to see if worth fixing and DECIDED TO THROW IT AWAY rather than waste [$]just to evaluate what's wrong. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT - IT IS A WASTE OF YOUR MONEY - search the internet and see how many hundreds of people agree.

No problems, so far

By snoozin' from austin, tx on 1/8/2010

Pros:

Attractive Design

Cons:

Discs Load Slowly, Poor remote design

Best Uses:

Archiving TV Shows, Home, Movies

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I have had this unit for over a year and really have not had any problems.
It plays dvd's well. Records without any problem. My biggest complaint is that the remote is very hard to operate in the dark. Even after a year, I still hit wrong buttons. It is also slow to start up, and wants to play a dvd left in it, which is frustrating when you're trying to catch the start of a tv show instead.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Ok while it works

By NoDVD4u from New Orleans on 9/12/2009

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this to a friend

This unit received only occasional usage, but will no longer read DVDs.

See all 8 user reviews

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