Availability of Philips DVDR80?

[markw]

Does anyone know when this will be available? I just purchased a DVDR985 and was going to wait for the DVDR75 or DVDR80 but it seemed they wouldn't be out until late this summer or fall. Then after receiving it I found out the DVDR75 just came out. From what I see the DVDR75 lacks the audio digital optical output, just having coaxial. For this reason I'm not sure if I want to go with the 75 but would rather wait for the 80. I have 30 days that I can return the 985 though. I like the looks of the new players but most of all, I have heard of a lot of problems with the DVDR985's having bugs. I'm not sure if it's firmware related or not but that's the main reason I'm scared to stay with the 985 and want to go with one of these newer recorders, hoping those problems are fixed.

Of course maybe DVD-RW is the way to go. I bought a DVD recorder drive for my PC months ago and after debating which to go with chose DVD+RW. For this reason I want to go with DVD+RW for my recorder. I figured this way I can take video from the recorder and edit it on my pc. Yet with the variety of models coming out that are DVD-RW from different companies it seems DVD-RW could be in the lead.

[Gil T Pleasure]

Personally, I would choose the newer model over the 985. Hopefully, Philips have licked the design flaw/bug that dogged the 985.

If you can wait a few more months, the RCA (ETA: June 2003) and Apex (ETA: ?) will be coming out with their own DVD+RW recorders and they will be using a different engine altogether (RCA will use Cirrus Logic referrence design; not sure about Apex) instead of the Philips referrence designs, which the 985 uses.

Also the RCA will have a "fit to disc" timer feature reminiscent of the Panasonic E20's Flexible Recording mode.

[piano632]

A couple of these models are now showing up on Ebay, so they must have just become available. Does anyone know if the Philips models have TBC (time base correction)

[Gil T Pleasure]

The Philips DVDR75 and DVDR80 (US models.. not sure about EU models) have Virtual Time Base Corrector and Motion Compensated Noise Filter.

[PhilipL]

Withdrawn

[piano632]

Here is another "glowing" review of the new Philips DVDR75 product (found at Amazon.com):

This new Philips DVD recorder just hit the market, and my experience indicates it is riddled
with design flaws. My new unit failed within six days of purchase. It began writing errors to
DVD-RW discs, rendering them permanently useless. At a retail cost of five or six dollars a
piece, this flaw quickly became expensive. This unit also experienced a tendency to fail at
reading discs which it just finished recording, indicating "no disc" while other machines were
able to read them! On day five, the unit began powering itself on and off at will, accompanied
by failing to recognize any disc inserted. A replacement unit yielded the exact manufacturing
defect in less than a week. A very disappointing experience considering I patiently awaited the
release of this third generation machine. Apparently, the bugs that existed in earlier models
still exist in the new crop. If you decide to purchase this model, I suggest a lengthy extended
warranty contract...you'll need it.
Rated: 1 star

And no, the Philips models do not have a REAL time base corrector, only a "virtual" one. I think I'll pass on the Philips and wait for the Pioneer. Also Panasonic will have the DMR-E80 out in July (with 80 GB hard drive).