Philips DVDR3576H/37 information from Consumer Reports

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Philips DVDR3576H/37

Approximate retail price:

$330

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

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Type: DVD/hard-drive recorders

About - Philips DVDR3576H/37
The Philips DVDR3576H/37 is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD recorder models like the DVDR3576H/37 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 - Philips DVDR3576H/37

The Philips DVDR3576H/37 is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD recorder models like the DVDR3576H/37 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
Philips licensed its North American business to Funai in 2008 and a new company for these top-tier products, P&F, was formed. Its new products will be manufactured by P&F and Philips branded. Its DVD products, which are typically midpriced, will continue to be widely available.

About This Brand

Philips licensed its North American business to Funai in 2008 and a new company for these top-tier products, P&F, was formed. Its new products will be manufactured by P&F and Philips branded. Its DVD products, which are typically midpriced, will continue to be widely available.

Features & Specs - Philips DVDR3576H/37
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	No
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)	No
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	No
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	No
More features and specs

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

General Information
Manufacturer	Philips Electronics
Manufacturer Website Address	www.usa.philips.com
Product Model	DVDR3576H
Product Name	DVDR3576H Digital Video Recorder
Product Type	Digital Video Recorder

User Reviews - Philips DVDR3576H/37

Consumer Reports User Reviews

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Anonymous

from

Colorado

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Excellent

12/4/2010

Pros

Digital tuner

Fast Recording

Cons

Button location on remote

Best Uses

Home

Comment:

I've been using this for over a year to hook up for over-the-air reception to replace an old Panasonic anlalog tuner DVR (the best there ever was, actually). Great for catching on air programs when the TiVo is fully scheduled. The ability easily change aspect ratios with a button on the remote is a very nice touch, and useful for filling up the screen with older programing.<br /><br />All the play controls are located differently than every other remote in the universe. Unless one is paying attention, it's easy to stop playing when the intention was to pause. It does get a big plus for skip and back buttons that can be programed for a different number of seconds.<br /><br />The DVD player is adequate for viewing although I've never used it for recording. It too, is used as a backup, since my BluRay player won't let me change aspect ratios to match the recording.

Anonymous

from

Palo Alto, CA

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Worked OK... until the clock died

11/26/2009

Pros

Attractive Design

Fast Recording

Fast Setup

Simple Controls

Cons

Discs Load Slowly

Poor clock

Best Uses

Home

Time shifting TV programs

Comment:

The menus are easy to use but somewhat arhchaic in look (reminiscent of 90's on screen programming). The video quality is only OK, but I mainly time shift TV programs that I erase later anyway. The hard drive space is great (I never run out). Unfortunately, the internal clock became semi-functional, which means that settting the DVR to record is a hit-and-miss proposition. Now, it maintains the correct time ONLY if I never turn it off. However, this isn't a good solution since it turns itself off after recording a program. Buy something else.

Anonymous

from

Tampa, Fla

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Overall good use...but

10/24/2009

Pros

Fast Recording

Cons

Confusing Set Up

Best Uses

Home

Comment:

I had a problem with recorded programs being too dark. Philips sent not one but two loaner for me to try. I had to return both of them sorry to say but because 1 had same problem with one and the other had a burnt smell to it but a little better with the video. but Kudos to philip tech support. The control on the remote takes some getting use to and it only works when aim directly toward the unit. I use primarily to record series via over the air digital tuner and watch it at a later time. The dvd unit takes a while to load and the video is ok but not eye catching. This unit beats paying a monthly fee, which is what I mainly wanted....

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