Philips DVDR5500 DVD Recorder

This is a review of the Philips DVDR5500 based on what I believe most buyers would want to buy this machine for - the inbuilt DVB/1080i upscaling/HDMI output facilities and it is based on a comparison between it and a SONY VTXD-800U DVB Freeview receiver box, both connected to a modern Philips 15PFL4122 15" LCD TV.

The VTXD-800U was connected to the TV using a QED SQART Reference SCART lead. I used the DVDR5500 as a DVB source first in SCART mode using the QED SCART lead, then in composite (Y Pr Pb) interlace mode then in composite (Y Pr Pb) progressive scan mode using Philips 24CT Series composite (Y Pr Pb) leads and it was only in the progressive scan mode that I liked the difference in DVB picture quality. Then I progressed to using the DVDR5500's HDMI output facility using the Philips-supplied Molex branded HDMI lead to connect the DVDR5500 to the TV. The DVDR5500 allows you to choose between 480p, 480i, 576p, 576i, 720p or 1080i modes and I liked this but in 720p and 1080i modes there was no options to have the screen in 4:3 or 4:3 Panscan modes, only 16:9 mode was available.

4:3 Panscan mode is a necessity if you have a non-widescreen TV and want to watch a widescreen movie/other broadcast else you have a vertically stretched image that is not nice to watch. Viewing in 4:3 Panscan mode in 720p or 1080i modes is impossible unless you know the 'secret' route; (1) Switch to 480p, 480i, 576p or 576i mode (through HDMI output then Manual install), (2) Go to TV shape then select 4:3 Panscan, (3) Go back to HDMI output/Manual install then select 1080i, (4) Go back to viewing by pressing Home on the remote control twice. Try switching to 1080i mode then to 4:3 Panscan and you will see that it is impossible. Changing any of the Settings will disable the 4:3 Panscan mode in 720p and 1080i modes so if you do repeat this procedure to reenable it.

Then I tried using my own HDMI lead (AudioQuest HDMI-3, high-end) and the result was very good. The image quality improved much more and many more colors appeared, were more apparent, than with the Molex HDMI lead; e.g. there were many pastel colors that were previously unseen. Using the AudioQuest HDMI lead the sound quality improved too, but the speakers on the TV are very small, but despite this I experienced a 'high-end' audio experience - very nice.

How could the improvements in image quality over the VTXD-D800U be described? Answer: Virtually zero image jitter, much less image ghosting, much much less flare & flicker (virtually zeroed), much more and clearer colors and better blacks. But DO NOT expect pin-sharp photographic crystal clarity.

The scrolling LED display on the front of the machine does not show enough information when the information is static e.g. D001 BBC instead of D001 BBC ONE, D004 CHA instead of D004 CHANNEL 4. I have also noticed that daily at 04:00hrs GMT the machine makes a mild clunking noise - could this be a daily check/update?

Pre-recorded DVD playback quality is very good. This is a Philips machine not a SONY machine. SONY are of a higher quality than Philips. It is a shame that there is no 1080p (progressive scan) upscaling mode - this would be superb. I am confident that a SONY DVDR/DVB/1080i upscaling machine would yield an even better quality image and better sound quality than Philips can, but the improvement in quality of image over the VTXD-800U that this DVDR5500 gives is great, more than great enough to buy it for £60 to £80.

Out of characters!

I am absolutely thrilled with this dvd recorder. It's functions and especially the price make it a fantastic purchase. I've hooked it up to my sky+ box so if I want to keep something I've recorded for ever I just burn it to disc. It plays all format of dvds including divvx movies and jpeg cds, so you can play your holiday pics and movies. It has a USB slot on the front so it's possible to play your mp3s on it as well. It even has an analogue and freeview tuner as well. There are so many functions I could go on describing it for hours. It even came with an HDMI cable. One final thing... it's also an upscaling dvd player as well so your dvds look hi def. I think I've said enough, just go and buy one!!! You won't be disappointed.

Fantastic product at a bargain price. What more is there to say. Will certainly deal with this company again. Everything you need in a DVD recorder. Simple to use and it does what you tell it. BRILL!.

Bought the recorder to record digital programs on Freeview and that the recorder performs adequately. The drawbacks are its guidebook which certainly could have been written to be more helpful especially in setting up and the fact that playback is only for Region 1 disks. These days with extensive travel and ability buy items on the net from other countries Region1 only play back is a significant handicap

With the old DVD Player deciding to throw in the towel, a replacement was sought. The Philips DVDR5500 DVD Recorder was the first one i saw when i searched here and was bought near instantly. Good points about the DVD Player are that it's fairly simple to use, instructions are very good, High Definition is good, rather stylish and can play videos off Memory Stick and Camcorders through the USB port. Bad points are that it occassionally freezes, not true High Definition (like Sky Plus or Playstation 3), no HDMI cable included and only certain fie types can be played if watching from a Memory Stick. If considering one of these fantastic machines, meassure where it's going to go as it is pretty long and very wide! You won't be disapointed if you buy one.

I was given a recorder, which had a basic manual with it, not the DVDR5500, but a basic model. The recorder had inscriptions over it that said it was Freeview, and so did the box, but in fact the dimensions of the recorder were smaller than on the box and also there was no video plus on the remote. I could not find a digital tuner on the recorder, only an analogue.

I pointed this out to the retailer, who magnamanously refuded my costs including postage.

Incredible value for money. Looks good, quite slim line, and functions perfectly. I bought it to match up with a Philips t.v. Very pleased with the purchase.

it seemed good value for money!colour wasnt the colour i expected but overall pleased. delvery was quick and promt good service there.

Good service !!!!
Keep it up, on time delivery
thank you so much have you recorder. So far working fine I am so glade to have your recorder!

It doesn't get any better than this. The product is as described and the delivery was fantastic. The Philips DVD recorder is sleak looking, simple controls and is Freeview integrated. It's also got a good range of connections inc. scart, HDMI, USB and standard aerial. I'm impressed.

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Freeview tuner; it also comes equipped with video upscaling to 1080i and 720p, which lets you upscale those digital TV pictures and watch them on a hi-def ready plasma or LCD TV. It'll also handle your library of digital media files, with a compatibility list that includes DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG.

The list of supported recordable disc formats is also impressive - the deck can record onto DVD+RW/+R, DVD-RW/-R and DVD+R DL, which will make life easier when it comes to buying the right discs.

The front panel offers more socketry options. Digital camcorder owners will be pleased to find a DV input for transferring footage to DVD quickly and in the highest quality, but even more exciting is the inclusion of a USB port, which lets you connect a USB flash drive or digital camera and play back music or view photos through your home cinema system.

I purchased it because my old dvd did not have freeview tuner only analogue but the picture is not very good even using HDMI lead.i have had SKY HDMI for a couple years but this DVD Recorder is not as good as my old one .Very poor from Philips or thats why they are selling so cheap because they are CRAPP.

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i like the fact that this item was good value for money and gives you all you need to do in fact it was exceptional value for money i love the fact that you can do everything on it i have not found anything to dislike yet but then im still learning

sorry I am busy for months, great dvd recorder no problem. Thanks many grat ebay good work hard cheers.
Regarding R Burns

Brilliant video recorder built with the usual Philips quality. If you are a technophobe then this is not for you, although there is a pretty weighty setup manual the array of options for connecting to your television could be overwhelming. I design and build one off computer systems and it took me two days to get it working as I wanted however the quality of the dvd reproduction is good.

This dvd recorder is ideal if like me you want to download stuff off of your sky+ box.
My Freeview reception is not great but the fact that this recorder as a dual Analog and Digital receiver is a bonus.
Great picture quality and so easy to set up and use.

We have been wishing to record onto DVD for a long time.We decided to see what was on offer on ebay.We chose a product which was a very reasonable price and a respected make.The product arrived promptly and in excellent order.It took my husband and I some time to set up all the available possibilities,a few phone calls to the manufacturer helped,now we are delighted with the recorder it works well

Having priced this article at retail outlets, I was surprised at the savings to be made on this ebay seller for the dvd recorder. This was my first purchase on ebay, and will be using ebay for any other purchases that I might be anticipating.

My last D V D recorder blew up so I needed a new one and Phillips have a very good name in any thing to do with electronics. this Recorder takes some getting used to but it is a very good machine but like all digital type box's every so often it needs to be reset by unplugging it and the plug it back in after about 30 seconds the recording is exelent with the HD the payack picture is very good

It works perfectly for me have not had any problems as yet. Built in freeview is a must and the divx playback is excellent.
All in all a perfect example at a great price.

A bargain and a half, really pleased with the service however was a little dissapointed about a slight dent on the casing that wasn't mentioned in the description. Other than that, very satisfied with the speedy delivery. Thank you!