Home > Consumer Reviews > Philips DVDR3570 - 160Gb Hard Drive DVD Recorder - Black

I purchased the Philips DVD HDD recorder to perform the following functions:

1. Archive my VHS tapes to DVD
2. Make it easier to get footage from my mini DV camcorder to DVD
3. Record programmes to HDD to watch later
4. Use my USB key to watch divx movies
5. Use the EPG to record programmes that I would otherwise miss - enabling me to watch TV when I want to!

It is point number 5 that was the most crucial for me. A device similar to SKYplus but with the added benefit of DVD recording and DIVX support seemed too good to be true.

Sad to say then that their is no mention of the EPG function in the user manual or indeed the cover of the box. Every retailer including Currys and Amazon have listed the EPG function as one of the key features of this recorder. Having upgraded the firmware and tried all the buttons with no success I have now sent an email to Philips asking them to clarify the matter.

The other functions perform as they should although I've not tried all of them yet - The interface is friendly albeit a little slow. The device looks stunning. It's remarkable being able to pause and rewind Live TV. Their is no fan noise (or none that I can hear) and the unit hasn't yet crashed!.

Unfortunately though I think I will be returning this because it is lacking the EPG (something which was a major consideration for me when I made the purchase).

I will provide details of the answer from Philips when I receive their email!

Let's face it, VHS is dead, so I needed a DVD recorder so I can record programmes off the TV etc; we're all in that situation now aren't we? There are so many DVD recorders available on the market now I started to wondered what else I wanted from a DVD recorder.

I choose the Philips 3570 because it has so much going for it:

The positives:
- it can play DivX movies,
- it can record on nearly any blank DVD (all except DVD-RAM)
- it has a built-in USB port and IEEE1394/Firewire port (4pin)
- it has DV composite-in
- you can do minor video editing
- it has VideoPlus Timer
- internal hard disk (various sizes depending on model)
- you can transfer files from HDD to USB or DVD etc

Once the recorder was installed with my TV and Freeview, I was very happy, but then I started to notice the little things.

The negatives:
- it ain't multiregional (this is stated, so my fault)
- the interface is very slow
- the remote takes some time to get use to
- the whole unit crashes once in while for no reason whatsoever
- it takes about a minute to boot up, so there is no instant recording
- the depth of the unit is large, so make sure you have shelf space

Even with the minor problems, the unit is very good and I am very happy with it. Philips could do a lot more with this unit, add Freeview, add HDMI, better interface, but all in all, this unit should cater for all your needs, especially if you acquire DivX movies off the Internet.

I previously had a liteon dvd recorder but the timer packed up so started searching for a replacement with more features. decided after reading loads and loads of reviews of various makes and models to go for this phillips unit. I certainly made the right decision, what a fabulous piece of kit. Very versatile, plays divx seemlessly from hdd, usb or dvd and you can transfer the file between any of the formats.picture quality is excellent, set up and use very easy, not crashed at all as mentioned in prevoius review and the response from the remote seems very normal not slow at all. money well spent and you would be hard pressed to find a better unit for the price.

This does not have an electronic programme guide but does have videoplus. Picture quality off the hard disc or DVD is very good. It plays DIVX movies very well. The remote has some small buttons but responds well. Recordings off the timer are fine but it takes a while to boot up.
The disply when watching live TV has a mind of its own, sometimes displays channel name, somtimes date or programme name. In other modes it works as you expect. Mine froze twice,the red record light staying on after a timer recording, unplugging fixed it.
I've not tried tranfer to DVD but it plays recordings on DVDR & DVDRW well. Overall I'm well satisfied

I bought one of these from Argos last Christmas. It failed in January and Philips sent out a software update but it didn't cure the fault so the unit went back for repair. When it came back it lasted only a few weeks before playing up again. I eventually got around to sending it back to Philips again and it was away for just over a week. When it came back it lasted only a week before the fault reappeared. Just says "Starting" and none of the buttons do anything.
Today I boxed it up and took it back to Argos for a full refund.