Strengths: Lots of features for the price, HDMI upconversion is great! Really good picture quality at longer recording times. Lots of options for connecting to other equipment

Weaknesses: Not the most user friendly manual. Appearance and display brightness only so-so. Lacks a few features that pricier units have but still has what you really need.

Summary: I bought this to dump shows from a second DISH DVR to DVD so I could free up space on the DVR. It's hi-def so it fill the drive quickly. The Samsung was easy to connect to both the hi-def DISH DVR and the hi-def TV. It allowed me to use higher quality display options than what I was able to use before. It gave me more flexibility and capability to do what i want. It may take a while to figure out how to do exactly what you want but once you do the result is excellent. The upconvert to 1080i is noticeably superior to the 480p output from the DVD player I was using. Overall, I'm very satisfied with it. It suits my needs perfectly.

Strengths: Inexpensive, excellent reproduction, extremely intuitive to operate

Weaknesses: Does not work consistently

Summary: I have just received a replacement machine from the Repair facility for Samsung. I hope that my earlier review has not encouraged ANYONE to buy this machine. If so, forgive me. My earlier review laid the blame at the feet of the media. Since that time I sent the first machine back and received a replacement (refurbished) unit since this was under an extension of the basic 90 day warranty. I finally got the replacement around the first week of March after sending it in February 5. This was after the Repair dept. "lost" my first unit! I used the replacement machine, using three different types of discs, DVD-R and DVD-RW. It worked one time, then the machine malfunctioned like the old one did. Would not read blank, new media. This double failure has "finished" me as a Samsung apologist as well as a prospective future purchaser. Life is too short. By the way, Samsung's Customer Service would not admit to any excessive problems with the DVD-R155 which they continue to market. My trust in this brand is gone. Sorry.

Strengths: Clear, Crisp reproductions and does not have Copyright protections for Cable and SAT

Weaknesses: None

Summary: Users are confusing stand alone DVD recorders with computer DVD burners. Stand Alone recorders prefer 2X, 4X and 8X discs. The faster speed (16X) discs can cause disc errors. Name brand discs are also important when using stand alone discs. Verbatim , Sony, TDK produce good results. I can't say that all Memorex discs are reliable since they have a multitude of overseas production. This unit performs well with cable box or SAT input via S-Video. The outputs to your HDTV can be sent either by HDMI or Component (progressive scan) input for really nice results.This unit has been unfairly rated by many