Product Description

Not only does the DVDR3480 record to DVD, it archives videos too, thanks to its i.Link input! The DVDR3480 also plays DVDs and displays other multimedia formats on your television via its USB Direct port, including MP3, DivX and JPEG files. Its also compatible with the latest DivX Ultra format and even reads dual-layer DVD discs. Plus, it comes with a host of compression modes and an improved recording time. The DVDR3480 is a state-of-the-art recording unit that will add a touch of class to any HiFi system!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5856 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Philips
• Model: DVDR3480/05
• Released on: 2007-08-08

Features

• Region - Zone 2
• Standard - PAL B/G, SECAM L/L'', PAL I, SECAM D/K, PAL D/K, SECAM B/G
• Compatible Media - MP3,WMA, JPEG, DivX Ultra, DVD+R/+RW, CD-R/-RW, DVD-R/-RW, CD video/SVCD, DVD+R DL, USB
• Video Out - SCART 1: CVBS, S-Video/RGB output SCART 2: CVBS, S-Video/RGB input YUV output S-video output Composite video output (CVBS) Digital coaxial output RF TV output
• Other - Progressive Scan Photos and audio tracks can be played via USB port DivX Ultra certified Dual Media handling SmartAlgo

Manufacturer's Description

Dual Media conveniently records on DVD+-R/RW, DVD+R DL

Philips DVD Recorders support €~dual media' recording - the ability to create recordings on DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and DVD+R DL discs. Now you can buy any disc and the Philips recorder will always create fully compatible recordings, which can be played by any DVD player.

Plays DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG digital camera photos

Play virtually any media format you want - whether they be DivX, MP3s, WMA or JPEGs. Experience the unbeatable convenience of great playability and the luxury of sharing media files on your TV or home theatre system - in the comfort of your living room.

DivX Ultra Certified for enhanced playback of DivX videos

DivX Ultra combines DivX playback with great features like integrated subtitles, multiple audio languages, multiple tracks and menus into one convenient file format.

Plays CD, (S)VCD, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL

Play virtually any disc you want - whether they be CDs, (S)VCDs, DVDs, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW or DVD+R DL. Experience unbeatable flexibility and the convenience of playing all your discs on the one device.

Record up to 12 hours on double-layer discs

The 12-hour record mode available on specific DVD recorder models lets you record up to 12 hours of video on DVD+R double layer disc.

i.LINK digital input for perfect digital camcorder copies

Also known as IEEE 1394 and FireWire, i.Link carries all audio and video signals via a single cable digitally, with no loss in picture and sound quality. With i.Link digital video input, you can copy your home videos in their original digital picture quality.

USB Direct plays photos and music from USB flash drives

Simply plug your device into the USB port on your Philips DVD system. Your digital music and photos will be played directly from the device. Now you can share your favourite moments with family and friends.

SmartAlgo ensures recording quality and compatibility

SmartAlgo ensures quality recordings, regardless of disc format or quality. Its patented self-learning adaptive technology chooses the optimal write strategy for the particular disc that is being used. By doing this, it significantly improves the reliability of the recording, ensuring zero failures when recording and guaranteeing playback compatibility.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

Very easy to use and nicely priced
I've just got one of these replace my 10 year old VHS recorder, and I must say I'm very impressed with it. Recording off the TV is a doddle and playback is much better than VHS - even with some of the longer play modes. I can't give an exhaustive review, but if you want something to replace your old VHS recorder and just want to record off the TV and playback later, you can't go wrong for the price. The multi-region hack is a nice touch too, but I'll keep my old DVD player, as obviously you can't record anything off the TV if you choose to watch a DVD.

As for the negative comments, 1) Invest in some decent re-recordable discs - I use TDK DVD+RW 1-4x speed in nice library cases.

2) For editing and all that other complicated stuff - just use write once DVD+R or I suppose DVD-R, 'close' the disc and then upload to a computer via capture card, or perhaps screen capture software, and then you can do all the fancy editing you want before you burn to a new disc.

Like I said, it's just an ordinary DVD recorder, and at this price I think you get more than what you pay for.

Great value DivX Player and DVD Recorder
I just don't understand some of the negative reviews here. I've used it for a few months, and have found it to be stable and reliable (no matter how cheap the discs I've used are). The picture quality is great and I haven't had a problem with it yet. The remote control is average, not great but not bad either for a modern unit with all the functions it needs to make usable. Its as responsive as any remote control I've used. I haven't tried to extensively edit discs, I've merely added programmes onto discs and accepted the default menu structures. But anyone serious about editing DVDs would edit discs created with this unit on a PC. I can only think some reviewers have received faulty units or set it up wrong. Compared to other DVD recorders in this price bracket, its great, but then perhaps thats because my previous one was an awful Bush DVR3003.

OK, not great
Pros:
records and plays a wide range of formats.
eighty quid or thereabouts, so the price is fine.

Cons:
Remote control and menu system are far from intuitive.
Machine seems slow - both to respond to the remote and to do things.
No freeview.
The occasional whirring noise which suggests that it won't last forever.


Conclusion:
If you want a low cost DVD recorder from a well known brand name, to last you until the analogue switch-off, then this might be for you. But ... you might do better to spend more and get something better. If you just want something to replace the VCR - just to record and watch stuff on your own TV - there are better products elsewhere.

I should add that also I have a freeview hard disc recorder (PVR) which sells for about £50 more that this, and is intuitive, very easy, faster, and can record and play back two different things at the same time. So I may have been spoiled !