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anyone have either emerson dvd recorder from Walmart and do you like it?
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macguy
Newbie
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28. December 2005 @ 12:52 |
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Thanks for the media tips, everyone.
Other than the Memorex Taiwan 8x -R's I got the other day, I picked up a 15 spindle of Maxell 2x -RW's today, and I'm recording my first disc (one of the -RW's) as I type this. Doing it in VR, SP/2hr for now. I wanna see how it turns out, and then I'll futz with the settings.
The Maxell 2x -RW's I got were also Taiwan-made. Unfortunately, EVERYTHING Wally World had was Taiwan, and I didn't really want to drive miles to someplace else that MIGHT (or might not) have something else. I may soon order some online, if I find a reputable seller & the shipping isn't too bad.
Tried to call Emerson today to find out a few things (editing and the record/watch something else issue) but I got a recording saying that their call volume was too high, and to try again later - then they hung up. Lovely.
Motorcycl, thanks, but that won't work for me. My "home theater" situation is a little unique.
My TV, as it were, is a Gateway Destination computer, w/ a 36" CRT monitor. It has plenty of RCA/S-Video inputs, but I dislike using more than one or two. Doing so then means I have to pull out the mouse or keyboard to switch inputs.
I have a Sony SLV-AV100 4 head VHS/Dolby Digital Surround tuner combo system that I use as my main switching unit (it has the most inputs). Along with that, there is the Emerson EWR20V5 VHS/DVD unit, and the cable box/DVR.
I'd love to be able to hook the 20V5 up to the cable box, so I could "copy to VCR" as the DVR says, using the V5. That way I have the option of recording on either VHS or DVD. It would be much better if I could do it without having to watch everything that's being recorded, though.
If someone has played with one of these V5's (or similar) and knows how to set it up this way, PLEASE let me know. Otherwise, I'll keep trying to get through to Emerson and hope 1) that the rep I get will be clueful, and 2) that the V5 has the capability I need.
I found out today how much this unit cost. For $200 or more, it darn well better be able to do such things! Otherwise, I'm off to the computer store and getting a PC/Mac DVD+/-R/RW drive. They're cheap now (Under $100).
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zoeyy
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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29. December 2005 @ 11:03 |
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I would be careful of any Funai products anywhere. Funai DVD recorders are awful. I tried a few and encountered everything from discs not being read to the tray on the dvd player not working. Customer service is difficult to reach and their solution is to take it back. No sorry for the inconvenience or nothing. They sell the same VCR/DVD recorder under 3 names at different prices too such as Emerson, Sylvania or Symphonic.
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GregRod
Member
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30. December 2005 @ 05:52 |
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I can understand your frustration Zoeyy, but many of us have had good luck with this Emerson Recorder.
I've had mine for almost a year. I've had no problems with my unit.
I think many times it boils down to using the right media. If you use off brand media it may not work in this unit. Also, many people gripe about this unit saying it does not work, but they use 8x media when out the box it only takes 4x media. Doesn't mean its a crap unit rather the user used the wrong media.
I just used mine to record the Pats vs. Jets on Monday Night Football using the timer at 4hrs. Outstanding!
Greg
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Sboutwell
Newbie
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30. December 2005 @ 13:21 |
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I have the ewr20v4 it works with 8x DVD-R's after you contact Emerson and get the Firmware upgrade. This is a FREE Disk they send you and send you, you must then call them and have them help you upgrade the unit. Works well and I've burned over 600 DVD-R's to date. Love the unit sometimes it does burn some coasters on cheap DVD's I get from the Local PC Club.
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zoeyy
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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31. December 2005 @ 01:21 |
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Oh no. I don't buy something for near 200 dollars that is not ready to use. Thats outrageous that someone would be selling a product for that much and you can't use it out of the box. I understand after you have a product for a while it might need an update but straight out of the box????? I must also say that customer service which is hard to get hold of was of no help. I would call and say I've got a problem and I would no more than get that out of my mouth than they would reply "take it back". Greg a couple of posts up was talking about using the right disks and this was never even asked of me. It was like "take it back" everytime I called. I was equally surprised that Funai was selling the same recorder for different prices. Anyway I glad to see someone getting some use out of one of these Funai recorders although on other sites I see some unhappy customers with similiar complaints as well as people like you last two posters who like them. I have since got a Samsung that seems to be working well.
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jesse100
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31. December 2005 @ 07:50 |
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The fact is that the technology on these things moved faster than the manufacturing of the products did. New Emerson units seem to be able to record the 8x discs as far as I can tell.
So far Funai has satisfied me as far as the disc recording speed issue is concerned. I called the CustServ line and the person was extremely helpful and the update came within the week. I have had a good experience all around.
I have burned countless discs with this unit and for well over a year now. For the money (when compared to other units) this has been an excellent investment for me. I am not dismissing anyones problems with the unit but I have had no such frustrations. This was an economical and practical way for me to convert my tape collection and now serves me well for all my recording needs.
The bad media problem should not be blamed on Funai. It should be blamed on blank media companies. When I contacted Funai via email about the media issue they sent me a list of all media known to work and those that did not. They gave recommendations and listed products to not use. There has also been a lack of coverage of this by the media that usually reports on such things. Most of this information has to be found on forums.
I will report this one issue that can be aggravating and mysterious. On occasion the recorder does not start recording for a short time after you start it. I can not find rhyme or reason for this. I just watch for a few seconds after I start recording now and if it hangs up I start it over. I may try unplugging it for awhile to reset it but it is one legit problem I see that keeps popping up.
Once again I am not discrediting anyones difficulties with the Emerson Recorder but I have found it to be a good product for me. In all fairness you will also find those who have troubles with the other brands as well and I think that this is just the nature of the beast with DVD recording.
Have a Blessed New Year!
Long live the King!
Jesse
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GregRod
Member
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31. December 2005 @ 12:37 |
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Zoeyy,
Like Jesse100 said, I am not dissmissing your feelings about the product.
My experience has been similar to his though.
I have heard that there have been a few Customer Service reps that have acted in the manner you have stated. In fact, when I first called to ask questions about the recorder a guy answered and told me that the unit would be obsolete to just take it back and get another one, so I do not doubt what you are saying.
Afterwards, I called again and since speaking to that idiot I've gotten good reps on he line.
The reason he told me to take it back was that the 4x media would no longer be made and that 2x rw's were going to be phased out.
Both of those issues are not true! It's true that 4x media is hard to find, but there is an upgrade to 8x media and 2x rw's can be found all day at both walmart and best buy. I bought alot of 4x media back then so I am sitting on a stockpile that will probably outlast my machine!..LOL! Dirt cheap I might add and good media like Maxell, Verbatim, and the decent Imation 4x's.
Anyway, glad you found the samsung works for you.
Happy New Year to all!
Greg
Greg
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Sboutwell
Newbie
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1. January 2006 @ 10:12 |
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Yeah the isssue with this unit seems to be more of at the time of it's introduction to the market, the 4X media was being replaced with 8X media. Nothing about the unit is substandard and it has held up to the MANY hours of burning I've put it through.. I have never regretted purchasing it. It was well worth the money and I was very glad for the FREE Upgrade to 8X Media. When last I spoke with the Reps a Planned 16X upgrade may come as well if that media makes as fast of a push to market.
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RandEsMom
Newbie
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7. January 2006 @ 16:57 |
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I wish I came across this before I bought the Emerson VCR/DVD Recorder. My main purpose for purchasing it was to transfer all the old VHS movies to DVD. But of course I am running into the "copy protected" issue. Judging by the postings, it seems that COPY THIS software is my best bet? Anyone have any other suggestions?
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timo721
Junior Member
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9. January 2006 @ 09:08 |
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OK, just dubbed my first VHS to DVD. Worked well, but now I get no picture when I play a VHS tape. DVD yes. And yes I've selected VHS using bothe the remote and the front of the machine. Do I have to reset something? The ticker is showing that it's playing.
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timo721
Junior Member
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9. January 2006 @ 09:23 |
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Figured it out. Press display and the pic comes up. Don't know why.
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jesse100
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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9. January 2006 @ 14:07 |
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While I was at Office Depot today I saw that they had a 100 pack of 8x Maxells for 29.95!
Jesse
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Kpasa96
Newbie
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9. January 2006 @ 14:53 |
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Need help from those that have had problems with it "skipping" for a few seconds.
I got the DVD recorder back in August, upgraded it to 8x, have done hundreds of discs with no problems.... Within the two weeks or so, I have noticed it records fine until it gets to about 30 seconds, it will skip what it's recording for about 2-3 seconds. This usually only happens everytime I put in a new disc (doesn't matter what brand, I use several)
Now if I stop it, delete that few seconds, and start over again, it won't do it, only that first time.
Anyone else have this problem? What can I do to fix it? I bought one of those DVD cleaning discs and tried that, but it still did the same thing. Or should I try opening it & cleaning the lens like someone else said they did in an earlier post...
:)
Thanks,
Danielle
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GregRod
Member
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10. January 2006 @ 03:23 |
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Hey Kpasa96,
While you are only under warranty for 90 days on labor, your machine has a warranty for 1yr on parts.
If I were you, I'd find an authorized service center and take it in for service.
I have not had an issue with the machine skipping.
What I would do is try unplugging the unit for 2 min and then plug it back in. I've heard that this sometimes works out some problems with the unit.
Greg
Greg
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. January 2006 @ 03:24
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Anilyb
Newbie
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10. January 2006 @ 06:57 |
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I have a frustrating problem with this unit and it does not occurr with any rhyme or reason. Sometimes (manually disc or timer disc reocrding - even time length or recording doesn't mater) the unit will just cease to record. This is very frustrating especially when I set it to record it 2-4am and I wake up and find it malfunctioned! I'm using brand new Maxell -R and -RW media. The VCR works fine. Is this happening to anyone else on the disc side?
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timo721
Junior Member
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11. January 2006 @ 07:37 |
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Put a tape in VHS side and sound was horrible. Tried in my old VCR, sound was fine. Put a diffeerent tape in the emerson, sound was fine. Is it possible the single tape and emerson are not the best match?
Also tried the title feature and can't select letters with the numbers the way they discribe. Any help?
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GregRod
Member
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11. January 2006 @ 10:31 |
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Timo 721,
Yes a tape recorded in an older model may play like crap. Could be because the technolgy is better in the new model vs. old model.
Its happened to me on several tapes.
As for your issue with the letters, I have no idea.
Sorry.
Greg
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timo721
Junior Member
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12. January 2006 @ 02:56 |
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Thanks GregRod.
Guess I'll try it through front feed on old vcr.
Also I have the emerson hooked up thru component jacks and the picture and particularly sound is far less quality than when I watch it on channel three. Same cords as I had on my panasonic dvd player which worked fine. Just curious.
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drifter67
Newbie
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12. January 2006 @ 14:31 |
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i went to office max and office depot recently just a few days ago actually~ but i noticed at one of the stores ( i cant recall which store it was now) that out of all the DVD blank disks there were more 16x disks then 8x i would say about 80 to 90% were 16x disks, and they only had like a 10 pack of 4x R-W,which i was surprised to find anyhow,and the 16x disks are not just for computers they are for both dvd recorders on computers and tabletop ie. for the tv recording.i personaly have noticed all places carring blank DVD's are stockin more 16x just like i stated a few months back, at anyrate im gonna stock up on 8x!
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motorcycl
Junior Member
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12. January 2006 @ 16:42 |
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Anyone know anything about these brands of Disk?
Aleratec
Velocity
Ritek Ridata
KHypermedia
Thanks
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GregRod
Member
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13. January 2006 @ 03:40 |
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Timo,
I'd try a new set of wires. I plug in the same way, but I do not have those problems. It could be a defective unit though.
Drifter, you are correct. Not sure why they would stock more 16x than 8x seeing how most people upgraded to 8x recorders (computers) probably a month or two before the 16x came out, so the majority of folks use 8x media. (16x can be variable speed so they may be able to work in 8x burners).
Stores have begun blowing out 8x media. Just remember you can always buy media online. 8x media is not going anywhere for a while. Just like you can still buy 4x media.
It's not a bad idea to stock up while the 8x's is cheap. I did the same with 4x media. I will never run out!..LOL
motorcycl,
Ridata (ritek) is supposed to be good media. I have used it once and I did not like it! It produced skips, pauses and pixelation.
Khyphermedia is supposed to stink, however, I use it and my emerson loves it. Now, this is the 4x media. I've read that the 8x media may not be as good. These are made by CMC Magnetics. You will read on this site (Check the DVD MEDIA +/- forum) that CMC Magnetics stinks. Maybe some of their media, but like I said I've used the 4x media and it works great!
The other two are unknowns. I would not waste my money on unknown media. Most times that stuff stinks!!!
Greg
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 13. January 2006 @ 03:42
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timo721
Junior Member
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13. January 2006 @ 05:28 |
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Thanks Greg, will do.
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jesse100
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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13. January 2006 @ 08:06 |
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bebo2
Newbie
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14. January 2006 @ 07:46 |
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I just bought some DVD-RW's online....25 packs for 5.99!!!
They work GREAT!!
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motorcycl
Junior Member
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14. January 2006 @ 15:38 |
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bebo2,
What brand are they, and where on line did you find hem?
Thanks
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