Samsung Super Multi Format DVD Recorder With HDMI DVD-R155/XEU
Samsung Super Multi Format DVD Recorder With HDMI DVD-R155/XEU
Customer Review: can it record from sky plus ??!!
I have a sky plus box and was wondering if this dvd recorder will record programmes off this, if anybody knows anything about this please could you put your answer on here for me that would be great, many thanks x
Customer Review: Great machine
Initially I bought a HDD dvd recorder (not Samsung) to replace my old Samsung model.
After endless trouble trying to set up I shipped it back and bought this, the updated version of my old dvd. No set up problems with this. Easy to use and much quicker to load and process the discs.
It’s quieter as well.
If you don’t need a dvd with a hard drive, and on reflection, I don’t think I did! Then this piece of hardware comes highly recommended, and with a great price tag!
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Customer Review: Floral head scarf
Generally this is lovely piece of kit. It never seems to crash or misbehave. I've had one failed finalisation attempt with mine, which left the disc empty, but I've no reason to think that this was the recorders fault - it reported a data error (perhaps the disc had just failed). My main gripe with it is that, I can't for the life of me get it to record from it's input SCART using the RGB signals - it all seems to be stuck on composite video. This, for me has meant that the picture from my freeview box is noticeable poorer than if I wire the freeview box directly to my TV. The picture quality is still good, just not excellent. It also has a fan in the back, which is whisper quiet, but seems unnecessary and might perhaps pull dust into the unit over time - we'll see. Recording time is up to 8 hours. For 1 to 2 hours, the picture quality is pretty pristine, after that artefacts do show a little - most noticeably on overlaid text. Still quite useable, mind and better than VHS. Trimming of video clips is possible only on DVD-RAM or DVD-R formated as DVD-VR which is incompatible with most DVD players, and is really only a fairly rough affair - enough to remove adverts, but not to edit a wedding video. Divx and MP3 playback work a treat. It does seem to be able to play SVCDs and VCDs, but unable to play MPEG1 and MPEG2 files (which seems odd). There's also a multi-region hack available on the web, which works a treat. As a rule, it's dead good. If only I could get it to record from RGB signals though.
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Viva Vivaldi! is a concert by the Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli interspersing arias from the 20 surviving operas of Vivaldi with two concertos. Given with the early music ensemble Il Giardino Armonico before a very appreciative audience in the Th??tre des Champs-?lys?es, the performance is part of Bartoli’s exploration of the Venetian composer’s opera music which also includes The Vivaldi Album. That said there is very little overlap between the studio-recorded CD and this 105-minute concert. Anyone thinking of Vivaldi’s vocal music in the context of his uplifting scared works may get a shock, for Bartoli performs as if her life depended upon it, attacking pieces such as “Armatae Face et Anguibus” from Juditha Triumphans with vengeful gusto. Indeed, there is a startling dynamic energy, which contrasts powerfully with the more restrained interpretations by singers such as Emma Kirkby. Bartoli’s natural Italian and the live atmosphere of Maria Grazia d’Alessio’s oboe gives her interpretation of the quietly haunting and melodically rich “Non ti Lusinghi la Crudeltade” from Tito Manlio a particular piquancy. The Flautino Concerto is a most attractive interlude, while the more famous Lute/Violin Concerto beguiles with its exquisite lyricism. One Vivaldi opera not represented, Orlando Furioso, is available in a complete performance from 1989.
On the DVD: The anamorphically enhanced 1.77:1 image is well above average for a concert video with good detail, definition and colour, and compression artefacting only noticeable on rare completely static shots. There are three sound options: DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo. The surround options are certainly all enveloping, though there is a certain gimmickry in placing the flutes in the rear channels which is attractive with the eyes closed but is decidedly unrepresentative of what is happening on screen. In these modes Bartoli’s voice is curiously unfocused. The stereo alternative is clearly locked to the screen, with much of the information actually directed to the centre speaker. This is less expansive but has a natural clarity that will appeal to those who want a more accurate reproduction of the event. There are multiple language subtitles, including English, though the only special feature is the option to have the musical score superimposed over the concert. While a fine idea in principle the execution leaves everything to be desired: the score is presented on a translucent white backdrop, through which the musicians can be seen as pale, bleached-out ghostly figures. Unfortunately the overlaying of the two images results in such an irritating flicker that the screen is barely watchable. –Gary S Dalkin
List Price: ?19.99
Amazon Price: ?19.99
Used Price: ?14.97
Customer Review: Veni, vidi, I fell in love
Well well! What a voice - and what a girl. This DVD is worth every penny - except that it will have you reaching for the catalogues to get your surround sound system upgraded. Not only is the quality excellent, the selection of material is wonderful and shows off Cecilia’s talent. But what I enjoy most about this DVD is the fact that she seems to be enjoying herself so much. It draws you into the performance.
Customer Review: Reference quality performance
This disc, presented in DD5.1 and DTS, presents a concert recorded live by people that care about the way a concert should be portrayed. The 18 arias and concerto contained in it are performed by one of the best mezzo-sopranos, and some of the best musicians, we are lucky enough to have in our time. The direction catches the emotion that Cecilia Bartoli puts into this mesmeric performance. As usual with Arthaus, the bit rate never drops below 10, ensuring a crystal clear picture. The addition of “Score Plus”, an innovation that puts the score on the screen as a subtitle, is a great step forward for DVD. A reference quality disc.
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with One Touch Pause Live TV freezes the action instantly
Amazon Price: ?149.99
Used Price: ?117.99
Customer Review: Avoid!!
Ill get straight to the point, this is an AWFUL bit of kit, its painfully slow, records only when it feels like it and even then if it does record what you want it may just decide to randomly delete it at any time. Its also quite prone to freezing if you ask something complicated like changing channel to quickly. Oh and finally the picture quality is honestly so poor i don’t know how it passed quality control!!
Customer Review: Dont buy it - Period!
I bought the Belgian version of this device as it was on special offer, and 100 Euro cheaper than the Samsung one with the same spec. When I got it home i found out why. It crashes at the drop of a hat and having spent half a day trying to upgrade the firmware (I’m an electronics engineer so its not me!) I gave up. The hardware is fine and the build quality is good but without decent firmware its no better than an expensive paperweight. Ironically I bought it to replace a PC system as my wife was complaining that it was too unreliable. You dont need the hassle - honestly! If you think you are safe buying Philips - don’t, they are no better than any taiwanese no-name brand these days I’m sorry to say. No less sorry for them being the first company I worked for.
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