Review on GoVideo VR4940: Top-quality Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with VCR by Mike Goodwin

There are a few important things you need to know before you buy this product. First, let me explain that I was very excited about this product because I thought it would save me from having to buy a PC with a DVD burner and editing software. I currently have a Sony Handycam digital camcorder that uses an IEEE 1394 DV (Firewire) input. Since my PC doesn't have an IEEE input, I've been looking for ways to update my PC accordingly. However, I found that my computer didn't meet the minimum requirements for video editing and I would need even more upgrades than I originally planned. When I saw this product on Revain and read the product description I thought it would fit my needs perfectly so I decided to buy it. I was also very happy because I have a home video that is already on VHS tapes and I wanted to convert it to DVD which this product has. ADVANTAGES OF THIS PRODUCT:? IEEE 1394 DV front panel input for digital camcorders? Pop in a DVD and have it autoplay without having to go into the menu system (benefit if you have kids too young to browse the menu)? Ability to view picture CDs with JPEG images? Ability to play MP3 files? Progressive Scan for HDTVWHAT THE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS DON'T SAY:? Yes, you can transfer VHS tapes to DVD and DVD to VHS tapes, but depending on the format you use, you may not be able to play your DVDs on all recorders.? This product uses two types of DVD discs: DVD-R and DVD-RW (DVD formats: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW)* DVD-R discs can be played on all DVD players * DVD -RW discs will play on most, but not all, DVD players ONLY IF AND ONLY IF you record video in "Video mode" and not "VR mode". I discovered this after purchasing Memorex and the drive would not initialize. I called support and they informed me that Memorex was always having problems. Customer service told me to use recordable DVDs from the following brands: Philips, Imation, Verbatim, Samsung? VIDEO MODE: LIMITED AND I mean LIMITED EDITING FEATURES 1) Essentially it creates a title and auto chapters at intervals you select from a list: 3 minutes, 5 minutes, etc. 2) NO thumbnails! The thumbnails you normally see on a DVD are replaced with titles.3) If you use a DVD-R to burn in this mode, this DVD can be played on all DVD players.4) If you use a DVD-RW use for burning In this mode, it will play on most, but not all, DVD players. 5) Personally, I was very dissatisfied when I found out that I couldn't do pre-editing (with thumbnails and chapters) in video mode so that I could play DVDs on all DVDs. Player. It's also annoying because if you don't want to record more material (e.g. fuzz when the tape ends) you have to wait until the end of the tape because you CANNOT EDIT it AFTER IT'S FINISHED. CAPTURED IN THIS MODE. You can delete the last recording and try again, in this case try again (the remaining recording time of the DVD-R will decrease and the remaining recording time of the DVD-RW will remain the same).? VR MODE: ALLOWS ADVANCED EDITING WITH DVD-RW1) Uses thumbnails for titles (yes!) 2) Gives you the option to trim parts of the video3) Add chapters of your choice (yes!, you can add new scenes with each start new chapter , so if you skip chapters during playback, they will appear at the beginning of the scenes and not at predetermined intervals as is the case in "video mode" 4) Change title names 5) Add additional content added 6). BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW. You can only play this DVD on this GoVideo device or RW compatible players (which are not common high quality players in the market) limited. Finally, I want to be able to take the DVD I made to family and friends or to other DVD players in my house and play it on those DVD players too! A: As much as this product cost, it didn't live up to my expectations and I would have returned it if it wasn't for the 31-day 30-day return policy. Well if you want to put in a tape and transfer it to DVD just to have it on DVD then this is a good product for you because it has that ability and it's pretty easy to understand. However, if you're a home video fan like me, you probably won't like this product because the advanced editing features are only available on DVD that you can only play on this DVD. Player. So I have to use limited editing features without meaningful thumbnails and chapters to play my DVDs on all DVD players. Disappointing.