Review on Samsung SV 5000W Worldwide VHS Format by Brandon Wynen

original review February 2006 I bought my SV-5000W four or five years ago (maybe more) with very few problems. Has never been renovated. There were occasional problems with individual rental tapes (NTSC), but the conversion worked well. I was able to collect films on my computer (using an NTSC DV camcorder) and play them back on a VCR for PAL recording, so I could easily send them to relatives abroad. PAL tapes from the UK, Australia, New Zealand etc worked very well. Stereo sound was another plus. I've never had a problem with snow (apart from individual ribbons) and have never noticed a problem with a particularly hot unit. I rarely wash my hair. It worked very well as the main VCR and also acted as a tuner for the entire system. The later DVD player plays through the VCR to the television, which also allows non-NTSC DVDs to be converted. I don't actually need SECAM-L, so I didn't miss this option, PAL was most important to me. I hardly used many useful functions. I preferred to edit the footage on the computer and then send it to the VCR to be taped. Direct DVD burning has become a common approach these days but my parents don't have a DVD player and want to shoot videos with the kids so I was very happy with the VCR but last week (while I was away) the VCR died . Turns out it was snowing or something, so my kids put in a cleaning tape. He's still here! A discussion with a local mechanic suggests around $250 and a 2-3 week wait. I seem to recall that I originally paid over $500 for a VCR and the price has since come down about 50%. At the time it was the best available option for a multi-format VCR (taking into account the price and other devices available). Most retailers have never heard of such a device, and something comparable costs a few hundred dollars again, plus the need for a video converter afterwards. I think I'll just buy another VCR like this (SV-5000W). Looking at the reviews it seems that there are problems, but we can only hope for another good one. VCR usage will decline slightly as DVDs become more widely used in our homes, but we still need to convert videos back and forth. Looking at another online store, the SV-5000W seems to be out of production, although it's still in stock at the moment. There seem to be several other VCRs out there (if there are any) that will let you play almost any video on any TV you own, which is a big draw for the SV-5000W. The need for an external video converter (or multi-system TV) in addition to the VCR increases the price significantly, as it costs a few hundred dollars more (or maybe more for a TV). had good service from the unit for a couple of years and is willing to buy another, especially as there doesn't seem to be any other VCR with a built in video converter and when you add the cost of a decent to a multi-system VCR the SV is -5000W much cheaper. Updated May 2006. I bought this unit, installed it and it has been working flawlessly ever since. Recommended if you can get one!