Samsung DVD-VR375 information from Consumer Reports

Samsung DVD-VR375

Approximate retail price:

$180

Summary: A progressive-scan DVD recorder/VCR with pseudo-HD upconversion; requires connection to separate set-top box to record TV broadcasts.

9 people have reviewed this model.

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Type: DVD recorders with built-in VCR

About - Samsung DVD-VR375
The Samsung DVD-VR375 is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD recorder models like the DVD-VR375 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 - Samsung DVD-VR375

The Samsung DVD-VR375 is part of the Blu-ray & DVD player test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, DVD recorder models like the DVD-VR375 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
Samsung is a top-tier manufacturer in several product categories. It's often an innovator, as it was one of the first to include a Blu-ray player in a home-theater-in-a-box system, and among the first to offer a 3D-capable Blu-ray player.

About This Brand

Samsung is a top-tier manufacturer in several product categories. It's often an innovator, as it was one of the first to include a Blu-ray player in a home-theater-in-a-box system, and among the first to offer a 3D-capable Blu-ray player.

Features & Specs - Samsung DVD-VR375
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	No
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	No
More features and specs

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

General Information
Manufacturer	Samsung
Manufacturer Website Address	www.samsungusa.com
Product Model	DVD-VR375
Product Name	DVD-VR375 DVD/VCR Combo
Product Type	DVD Player/VCR

User Reviews - Samsung DVD-VR375

Consumer Reports User Reviews

Already own it? Write a review

from

Burlington, NJ

1.0

Not worth it

8/8/2011

Pros

Fast Recording

Cons

Confusing Set Up

Best Uses

Movies

Comment:

Not even two years old without heavy use and the unit now refuses to open door to the DVD tray. It just keeps indicating that the DVD is loading when there is nothing inside. It is junk.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

from

Vermont

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Poor machine

10/2/2010

Pros

Cons

Confusing Set Up

Noisy DVD player

Best Uses

Comment:

I purchased this machine to replace a previous DVD recorder. This machine is not compatible with my Philips TV. Also you can't record TV shows easily and requires a fair bit of set up. I had to call the help desk three times and spend 20 minutes each time without much help. I returned the machine after one week of struggling.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Ripped Off Customer

from

N.E. Ohio

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

HORRIBLE! Do not waste your money!

3/25/2010

Pros

None

Cons

Broke right after war exp

Confusing Set Up

Disc load errors

Terrible picture quality

Best Uses

None doesn't work

Comment:

I was gifted this for Christmas last year. It worked fine (I only used it three times) for about a year. Then it broke down. It will not read any discs for recording. When I try and load a disc, I get a Can not play error and it ejects. When searching online for a solution, I was amazed that loads of other people have the exact same problem with this model. [...] I now have a glorified DVD-VCR combo with lousy picture quality. Do not waste your money.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Other User Reviews

5.0

(based on 1 reviews)

roarlions1

User has 2 Weeks of experience with this product

5.0

Excellent Product

11/04/2008

Strength

Easy setup, great menu navigation, numerous recording options

Weakness

Hard to label chapters, slight delay with record feature, no S-Video input

I would highly recommend this recorder. It was very easy to set up, makes excellent copies, and has a number of input/output options. It doesn't have an S-Video input, but the picture quality on HQ record mode seems to be quite good anyway.

Source: Price Grabber

See all 9 user reviews

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