Samsung DVD-VR300 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo

Product Description

The ultimate convenience recorder, Samsung's DVD-VR300 offers not only dual-format playback - DVD and VHS videocassette - but dual-format recording, as well. The DVD-VR300 makes it easier than ever to time-shift your TV viewing, save treasured broadcasts, archive your library of home videos, or share your creations with friends and family. Further, the combo recorder offers unprecedented format flexibility, handling DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and rewriteable DVD-RW optical media.

Amazon.com Product Description

The ultimate convenience recorder, Samsung's DVD-VR300 offers not only dual-format playback--DVD and VHS videocassette--but dual-format recording, as well. The DVD-VR300 makes it easier than ever to time-shift your TV viewing, save treasured broadcasts, archive your library of home videos, or share your creations with friends and family. Further, the combo recorder offers unprecedented format flexibility, handling DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and rewriteable DVD-RW optical media.

Samsung has developed its own multiformat technology that grants the DVD-VR300 the flexibility to support all three major DVD recording formats, each bringing its own advantages and capabilities. You have the option of recording straight from the television in either format (disc or tape), as well as being able to record from VHS to DVD and vice versa with the convenience of one easy-to-use machine. (Copy protection may prohibit recording of most commercial DVDs.)

DVD-RAM is the most technically versatile recording format available to DVDs and can even adapt to the DVD-RW standard for playback on older DVD players. It allows mixed storage of video, audio, and other types of data from both the PC and the audio/video worlds. DVD-RAM's nonlinear read/write characteristics allow convenient features like time-shifting and time-warping, which means you can start watching a program from the beginning while the end is still being recorded. Rewritable DVD-RW and write-once DVD-R compatibility lend the DVD-VR300 the broadest available DVD Forum-backed compatibility at the time of its issue.

Front-panel audio-video inputs offer easy access for connecting external devices and the unit also offers analog and digital DV (FireWire) inputs accessible from the front panel.

The unit also supports audio playback for an array of popular formats, including CD, CD-R/RW, and MP3 CD. Additionally, the player has the ability to play JPEG CDs and Kodak Picture CDs for onscreen viewing of digital photos. Full-motion video, still images, backward compatibility with VHS cassettes, all your favorite music--the DVD-VR300 is quite a device.

Customer Reviews:

OK if you understand its idiosyncrasies.......2007-02-19

I found this machine to be OK once I understood its little quirks. It is a little touchy, but the issues can be worked around.

First, about discs. I found that my machine likes Memorex DVD-RW 2x, and Fujifilm DVD-R 8x. Once you find a brand of disc that works reliably, stick with it.

Second, about recording. I found that the machine sometimes has trouble reading DVD-RW discs that are 100% full of data. For example, if I recorded 2 hours of video on 2 hr speed (SP), the disc is obviously full. Sometimes when inserting the disc, the machine would not read the disc properly, and give an error message "The disc cannot be played or recorded". Even after reformatting the disc, I would sometimes get this error message. I end up tossing the disc and using a new one. This went on for quite a while until I figured out that if I set up the recording speed so that the disc is not full, the problem never occurred again. So, if I want to record 2 hrs of video, I set the record speed to 4 hr speed (LP). The disc is only half full of data, and the machine boots the disc reliably. If you are recording on timer and using the AUTO speed setting, then set the recording period so the disc is not full. So, if recording a 2 hr video on AUTO speed on the timer, set the machine to record for 2 1/2 hrs. This will force it to use the 4 hr speed (LP) instead of the 2 hr speed (SP), and the disc will not be full.

Next, the remote. I agree that it is a poor design. I have not found any firm solution to this problem. However, I found the remote to work best if I hold it in my lap, and tilt the front of the remote slightly upwards, toward the machine. And I don't sit at too far of an angle from the machine. But I still sometimes have to press a button a couple times before the machine will recognize the command. To me, this is not big problem.

So, after understanding the little idiosyncrasies of this machine, I am pretty happy with it overall.

I wish it had a S-Video output instead of Composite Video, but I found the picture quality to be very good if I enable progressive scan.

The coaxial digital audio output plays very nicely with my 5.1 home theater audio receiver. The standard RCA jack audio outputs are connected to my TV, and work fine.

I also have a large VHS collection that I want to transfer to DVD, so that is why I went for a DVD-VHS combo. There are others out there, but I went for the DVR-300 because it has a coaxial digital audio output instead of optical (the single optical input of my 5.1 receiver is already used by the optical output of my satellite receiver).

I hope this helps. I was frustrated with the machine at first, but now at least I can make reliable recordings.

Roger

Poor Remote and Input jacks.......2005-06-03

I returned this item (and bought the Panasonic DMR-ES30VS) for primarily two reasons.

The first is the remote control is almost nonresponsive. You have to perfectly aim it at precisely the right spot on the unit for it to work. Hence, buttons tend to get repeatedly pushed at "varying" angles just to get a response. This so VERY annoying and it will drive you nuts!
I thought perhaps the batteries that came with the remote were just bad...? but a replacement set was no better. Then when I saw other reviews of this same experience, I knew it was just a bad remote design. What I find so odd is I have a Samsung DLP TV and its remote (similar shape and design) does not exhibit this phenomena.

Second, there is a lack of INPUT jacks on the unit. It's as if the Samsing engineers decided this unit and a TV would be the only entertainment appliances a consumer would own. It has component and S-video OUTPUT jacks, but the only INPUT jack is a crummy composite. For those people like me who use their one HDMI jack for their cablebox, the lack of good INPUT jacks was a huge disappointment.

The Panasonic I echanged for by contrast at least has
S-video INPUT jacks so I could connect my cablebox more effectively to my DVD recorder. IMO, it is also a superior picture and its user interface more intuitive.

Very nice!.......2005-04-05

I bought this unit so that I could save stuff from my TiVo and copy some old VHS tapes to DVD. So far, so good! I have made about 20 DVD recordings. The only problem I ran into was when I was trying to copy a movie from VHS to DVD (this movie is not available on DVD yet) and it wouldn't let me copy it because it is copyrighted. I really wanted to make a DVD of it, since it is no longer available.

Another nice thing is the DV input on the front. I have a Canon mini-DV camcorder and was able to easily transfer video directly from the camera to DVD. There is also a full set of AV inputs on the front. Very nice for temporarily hooking up an older camcorder or (gasp!) a Beta VCR! Yes, I have LOTS of Beta tapes that I plan on converting to DVD.

The menus are a lot more user-friendly than the DVD recorder my parents have. I didn't really have to read the manual... but it is worth reading. There are some neat features: Pressing REC once starts recording, pressing it again starts a record timer... adding 30 minutes each time you press REC. That's a nice function for unattended recording. Also, most of the functions are easily accessable by remote without going into menus... including recording speed (quality) and one-touch dubbing from DVD-VHS or VHS-DVD. Another nuce touch is the clock. Most DVD players do not have a clock on the display, but this one does (it needs to know the time for timer recording).

Also, my television is a Samsung. The remote will control the TV as well (and other brands). There is even a dedicated TV Power button. Very nice for reducing the number of remotes needed to power everything up/down.

All of the DVD-Rs I use are Verbatim brand, and I have had no problems with them at all.

Save yourself the frustration and buy a different brand.......2005-02-07

I actually have an earlier model Samsung DVD player, and it, along with other Samsung models at the time, had a horrible skipping problem on many DVDs. Samsung's support was almost non-existant -- I found out there was a firmware upgrade for the player, but not through their website (where I couldn't find any help whatsoever), but through a friend with the same problem. HOWEVER, the firmware upgrade did not resolve the problem, and the last I heard, there was a class action suit filed here in Pennsylvania (which I received an invitiation to be a part of, but could not participate in, I think because I no longer had the receipt). Considering their lackluster customer support, I would advise anyone against buying any DVD player from this company. Players are much cheaper nowadays anyway, and you can get an excellent Sony or Toshiba for a modest price.

Very touchy machine.......2005-01-13

I was able to play only one of five DVDs I made on this machine. When recording from an attached video camera, everything looked fine, picture appeared on TV going through the DVD/VCR, Record light is nicely lit, after finishing the DVD it played well on the Samsung. But when trying to play back either on my Sony Vaio or my Apple iMac, all I get is a soundless black picture. When I recorded on DVD-RW from a videotape inserted in the VCR, I could play the result on my Sony. But the next tape I recorded only caused Microsoft to keep asking me to send an error report when I tried to play it on my Sony. My Apple refused to recognize it as a DVD. Unpredictably incompatible. When I called the Samsung helpdesk they told me to call the computer manufacturer. I guess I would have to call both Sony and Apple then? Crutchfield was the seller for this product and they actually have a very helpful helpdesk -by the name of Darren- According to him I should try a different brand DVD disc. I tried Memorex instead of the Office Depot and found that this brand of disc solved the problem. Question for Samsung: Why don't you have this on your troubleshooting page in the manual? Why does the dealer know this, but you don't?

Remanufactured Samsung DVD-VR300 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo

Average customer rating:

Remanufactured Samsung DVD-VR300 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo

Manufacturer: Samsung
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

DVD Players | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

DVD Players | Outlet | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics

Electronics Spring Markdown | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics

DVD-VCR & Other DVD Combos | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

All | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

DVD Recorders | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

Space-saving DVD player/recorder with built-in hi-fi VCR and front A/V inputs for easy camcorder or gaming console hookup
Record TV to DVD, VHS to DVD, DVD to VHS, or TV to VHS
Records on DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW
Progressive-scan output offers flicker-free images on HD or HD-ready TVs
Plays DVD-Video, VCD, DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW, CD-R/CD-RW, MP3 CD, Kodak Picture CD, and JPEG image CDs

ASIN: B000C7DDPA

Average customer rating:

Really well designed and built, but they need large clips

Monster Cable ML SGP-H Monster Lock Master Pin Modular Speaker Cable Termination Post Base 2-Pair MLock Master Pin

Manufacturer: Monster Cable
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Speaker Cables | Audio Cables | Cables & Interconnects | Audio & Video Accessories | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
Speaker Connectors | Custom Installation | Cables & Interconnects | Audio & Video Accessories | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
Binding Posts | Connectors & Inputs | Audio & Video Accessories | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
Premium Grade | Speaker Connectors | Home Audio-Video Custom Installation | Monster Cable | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
Sound & Recording Equipment | Products | Musical Instruments | Amplifiers & Accessories | Cables, Adaptors & Accessories | Computer Audio | DJ, Karaoke & Lighting | Electronic Music | Headphones & Accessories | MIDI Equipment | Microphones & Accessories | Mixers & Accessories | Monitors, Speakers & Subwoofers | Power Amplifiers | Recording Equipment | Recording Media | Signal Processors | Studio Environment
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Monster Cable QL GMT-H QuickLock Gold Banana Connectors (2 Pair)

Accessories:

Monster Cable ML MAS-H Monster Lock Angled Spades Modular Speaker Cable Termination 2 pr. MLock Angled Spades

Monster Cable ML LAS-H Monster Lock Angled Spades Modular Speaker Cable Termination 2 pr. MLock Angled Spades

Monster Cable ML XLAS-H Monster Lock Angled Spades Modular Speaker Cable Termination 2 pr. MLock Angled Spades

Monster Cable ML FP-H Monster Lock Flex Tip Modular Speaker Cable Termination 2 pr. pack MLock Flex Tip

Monster Lock Interchangeable Speaker Cable Connector System- Monster Tips (2-Pair Pack, 4 Pieces)

Product Features:

Easily crimps onto multiple gauge Monster high performance speaker cable.

Patented Monster Lock-Notch Pin fits any standard spring-loaded speaker terminal.

Flexible rubber insulator boot available on self-crimp model.

24k gold contact pin for optimum signal transfer.

Post base for optional Monster Lock modular speaker terminations

ASIN: B00004Y3TJ

Product Description

The name Monster Cable is so synonymous with high quality and high performance. Monster Cable products are indispensable components for music lovers, audiophiles, recording studios, sound professionals, musicians, custom-installers and home theatre enthusiasts.PRODUCT FEATURES: Easily crimps onto multiple gauge Monster high performance speaker cable; Patented Monster Lock-Notch Pin fits any standard spring-loaded speaker terminal; Flexible rubber insulator boot available on self-crimp model; 24k gold contact pin for optimum signal transfer.

Customer Reviews:

Really well designed and built, but they need large clips.......2006-05-01

I ordered these first for a Niles 4-speaker selector box, but the clips were too close together for them to exist happily with their rubber sleeves, and the Niles spring wasn't strong enough to hold them. Then I bought a Russound speaker box and the pins were too large for it.
First of all, these are great. Second, buy one pair and make sure they fit whatever you are going to try them in. These are built well -- I would have given them 5 stars except I had one of 8 break during crimping.
It's a great design, and well-manufactured and works great with Monster Cable -- however, you need to make sure it will fit in your clips before committing to them. It breaks your heart to have to cut off crimped beauties because they won't fit in your new speaker box.

Average customer rating:
Sony VAIO VGN-TZ130N/B 11.1" Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor U7500, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business) Black

Manufacturer: Sony IT
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

Notebooks | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Notebooks | Sony | Custom Brands | Custom Stores | Specialty Stores | Computers Features | Electronics
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Sony VGPBMS33/B Bluetooth® Laser Mouse

Accessories:

Sony LF-B10 LocationFree Base Station

Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista

Sony LF-B20 LocationFree Wireless Base Station

Product Features:

Ultra-lightweight laptop for road warriors with charcoal black carbon fiber case, 11.1-inch screen

100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (2 GB maximum), 1.06 GHz Ultra Low Voltage Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 processor

Two USB 2.0, one Firewire, one Memory Stick/SD slots, ExpressCard slot; dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive

Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet, Intel GMA 950 (up to 224 MB of shared RAM)

Pre-installed with Windows Vista Business

ASIN: B000TRMFWU
Release Date: 2007-08-01

Product Description

The luxuriously sleek and ultra-portable VAIO TZ notebook boasts an incredibly small and lightweight form-factor that features an especially robust carbon-fiber casing for enhanced durability. This best-in-class PC weighs only 2.7 lbs with standard batter

Amazon.com Product Description

Take a load off your shoulders when you're racing for your plane with the sleekly designed and ultra-portable Sony Vaio VGN-TZ130N/B notebook PC. Weighing just 2.7 pounds, it offers a sleek, durable carbon-fiber case in charcoal black and a unique rounded hinge design. (Carbon fiber, the same material used on jets and sports cars to keep them lightweight yet sturdy, is much stronger than the magnesium used on standard notebooks.) And with 4 to 7.5 hours of standard battery life, it has the stamina to power you through your most demanding applications. It also includes a redesigned keyboard that balances a smart, sophisticated look with user-friendly touch and feel, and an 11.1-inch LCD using Sony's XBRITE-HiColor technology with an energy-saving white LED backlight for brilliant colors and added clarity.

Sony takes security serious, and this laptop employs a biometric fingerprint sensor to ensure your data is protected from unauthorized use. Fingerprint biometrics is a convenient and secure way to protect your computer and the information on it with a simple swipe of your finger. It also stores passwords to secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are quick and easy--you only need your fingerprint.

It's powered by the 1.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ULV (Ultra-Low Voltage) U7500 processor from the newest ""Santa Rosa"" line of chips. It offers an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance as well as low power consumption for longer battery life. It includes Intel's 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. Other features include a shock-resistant 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), Bluetooth wireless capability (for connecting to peripherals such as PDAs, cell phones, and printers), dual-layer DVD burner, Gigabit Ethernet, and a Memory Stick PRO reader.

The preinstalled Microsoft Windows Vista Business features a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Processor: The Ultra Low Voltage Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 processor offers a 1.06 GHz speed paired with a fast 533 MHz front-side bus and large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.) Part of Intel's "Santa Rosa" lineup of chips, this ULV processor is designed for high performance and low power consumption--perfect for advanced multi-tasking, and 4 to 7.5 hours of standard battery life on a single charge.
Hard Drive: The 100 GB UltraATA hard drive (4200 RPM) is average in size for notebook PCs--but a bit larger than you'll find in comparable ultra-light notebooks. It offers more than enough capacity for storing documents and productivity software for road warriors. You'll also be able to store a good-sized digital audio library.
The G-Sensor Shock Protection feature makes your data even less vulnerable to loss or damage. When the built-in 3-D acceleration sensor detects a risky movement like being dropped, the HDD-head will lock up to secure its position and protect the disc from scratching. An intelligent algorithm, unique to VAIO PCs, judges whether or not a movement is risky, activating disk drive protection only when your hardware is at risk.
Memory: This laptop has two memory slots and comes loaded with 1 GB of DDR SDRAM (PC4200, 533 MHz DDR RAM; 2 x 512 MB), and it can be expanded to a maximum of 2 GB.
DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.
Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard 82-key keyboard (1.7mm stroke and 17mm pitch) and electro-static two-button touchpad. Designed for ease of use and a smart, sophisticated look, the individual keys are slightly raised, producing a user-friendly touch and feel to the keyboard that creates an improved typing experience. In addition, an extra support layer has been added below the bezel to increase the structural integrity of the keyboard and add stability to the keys, giving them an unwavering up-down motion and making for quieter typing.

Screen, Video & Audio
The 11.1-inch XBRITE-HiColor LCD with white LED backlight has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels--perfect for watching movies in their intended 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. Sony's innovative backlight technology offers lower power consumption for improved battery life and provides incredibly high brightness levels, amplifying colors and creating clear, crisp pictures that truly ""pop"" off the LCD. The result: an amazing 72% color saturation for deeper blacks, brighter whites, true-to-life color and razor-sharp detail. And, with the anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection while providing a wide viewing angle, you'll enjoy a beautifully clear image from almost any angle.

Sony's Smart Display Sensor feature instantly adjusts resolution when you connect to a display or projector. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 224 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. Audio is powered by Sony's Sound Reality audio enhancer.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965 AGN LAN chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments).

With the Bluetooth connectivity, you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones. This notebook also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connection options:

2 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
1 ExpressCard/34 slot
1 VGA monitor out
Stereo headphones/speakers/line-out
Microphone/line-in
Memory Stick slot (with MagicGate functionality)
Secure Digital memory card slot (also compatible with MMC cards)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), SmartWi, LocationFree Player.

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 10.9 x 7.8 x 1.17 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 2.7 pounds.

Power
It's powered by the VGP-BPL11 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of between 4 and 7.5 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGN-TZ130N/B notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics