LG RC 897T information from Consumer Reports

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LG RC 897T

Approximate retail price:

$280

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

14 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: DVD recorders with built-in VCR

About - LG RC 897T
The LG 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 a DVD disc and outputting standard-definition 480i (interlaced video) to the TV. 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 a DVD disc and outputting standard-definition 480p (progrssive-scan video) to the TV. 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 LG 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 a DVD disc and outputting standard-definition 480i (interlaced video) to the TV.
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 a DVD disc and outputting standard-definition 480p (progrssive-scan video) to the TV.
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 This Brand
LG, now a major consumer electronics brand, sells a full line of video players at a wide range of prices.

About This Brand

LG, now a major consumer electronics brand, sells a full line of video players at a wide range of prices.

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 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a relatively new form of digital audio/video connection found on TVs, monitors, Blu-ray players, DVD players, receivers, cameras and digital TV tuners. HDMI has become the preferred connection method instead of component, etc., as it carries audio and video signals on the same cable. HDMI supports a range of standard- and high-definition video formats, although it can vary for each product. HDMI supports up to eight channels of uncompressed, 24-bit/192kHz audio. HDMI version 1.3, doubled the bandwidth of its predecessor (HDMI 1.2), and added support for 30-, 36- and 48-bit color depth and a new "xvYCC" color standard, as well as the new Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master lossless audio formats (See "Dolby True HD" and "DTS-HD Master Audio") used in Blu-ray discs. HDMI version 1.4 added full support for 3D television, an audio return path, and ethernet network connection. Some Blu-ray discs, in order to be viewed in high-definition, will require that the Blu-ray player and the HDTV/display be connected using an HDMI cable as a copy-protection measure. HDMI allows content providers to limit the quality of the component video outputs, and your ability to record the content. HDMI output	Yes
Coaxial digital-audio out Digital-audio outputs are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into a digital receiver. Coaxial digital audio interconnect, also called SPDIF cable, sends digital audio signals over a coaxial cable. This coaxial cable is the same as a composite-video cable -- both use common RCA connectors. Digital-audio, via coax or optical, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. When choosing your Blu-ray or DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. All Blu-ray and DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Coaxial digital-audio out	Yes
Optical digital-audio out Digital-audio outputs are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into a digital receiver. Optical digital audio interconnects, also called Toslink cables, send digital audio signals as pulses of light over optical fiber rather than an electrical signal over coaxial cable. Digital-audio, via optical or coax, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. Most optical cables use the small, squarish Toslink connector, but there's also a smaller mini optical connector, which looks a lot like a standard 1/8-inch mini-plug. When choosing your Blu-ray or DVD player, consider the models that have the outputs to match the inputs on your digital receiver or external, digital decoder. All Blu-ray and DVD players have digital audio outputs--coaxial, optical, or both. Optical digital-audio out	Yes
More features and specs

Additional Information (The information below has been supplied by an external source.)

General Information
Manufacturer	LG Electronics
Manufacturer Website Address	www.lge.com
Product Model	RC897T
Product Name	RC897T DVD/VCR Combo
Product Type	DVD Player/VCR

User Reviews - LG RC 897T

Consumer Reports User Reviews

Already own it? Write a review

Anonymous

from

Cincinnati, OH

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Very disappointed

12/16/2010

Pros

Recordings were good

Cons

Broke without much usage

Best Uses

Home

Comment:

I purchased it mainly to record our home VHS movies on DVD. I also used it to play purchased and rented movies. I was very pleased while it worked. However, now the disc drive keeps opining up and cannot seem to read the disc - old or new. Eventually does but probably will stop entirely soon. My reading tells me that this will likely be an expensive repair so I might be better off to purchase another brand. Bad news is that users remarks say that none of them are any good so I'm not sure what I will do now. Limp along with this one until it dies I guess. Very disappointed in LG.

Anonymous

from

Houston, TX

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Buy something else. This is junk

12/12/2010

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comment:

Used VCR which works fine for the first few months and just played movies with the DVD. Unlike my other DVD/VCR can't play a DVD while recording but that wasn't a deal breaker. Two weeks ago began using DVR and after 10 uses, the DVD/DVR function no longer works at all. Won't even stay turned on. Says no disk and shuts off so can't even use VCR. Repair would cost more than purchase price so totally useless. Don't waste your money on this piece of junk.

Anonymous

from

Gulf Coast

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Don't Buy This Piece of Junk

12/9/2010

Pros

Only if I have LG stock

Cons

Lasted a year and a half

Best Uses

Landfill once VCR croaks

Comment:

Only use the product to record TV News and a few on the air programs. 20 hr/wk. One day the disk player sounded like a 50 caliber machine gun. Video repair people said they can't get a new laser drive as that has to be depot maintenance. Not cost effective to fix. [$]

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