Home > Consumer Reviews > Daewoo DRVT43 - DVD Recorder/Video Combi With Freeview

Locks up every day which then requires setting up from scratch. Told to update firmware but trying that locks it up every time, shop advises to contac Daewoo for direct support, Daewoo support for this item non existent. Can't set reminders for programmes other than to record. Cannot view tv whilst in EPG contrary to manual. Bad buy.

I bought one of these recorders in February to transfer VHS home movies to DVD but liked the fact that it was also a standalone recorder with Freeview. Had many problems - machine insisting no TV aerial present or its scan not finding channels. Without mastering this initial setup process it is not possible to move on to transfer tapes. The machine kept 'freezing' or 'locking up'and having to be reset by switching off the mains current. This usually occurred every second day, but sometimes several times on the same day. It also 'froze' during transfer of tapes. One could not be certain it would record any TV programs using either the electronic program guide, manual timer, or instant record. It gave mixed messages as to whether a DVD was compatible or not - recording on it one time and rejecting the same disc on the next. I returned it to the suppliers (not Amazon unfortunately). Eventually and after hassle, I was sent a new machine. Guess what? Yes, it still appears to have similar problems and I see from the Web reviews this is not unusual!

Given the price and the fact that when it works it is really good, I will probably keep it for occasional use although I am consulting with trading standards about my options.

I would not recommend this machine.

What a machine, very complicated but suprisingly easy to use, however the manual warns that it is a multifunction machine and it is prone to lock up, which means turning it off at the mains every time to reset, since it happens every day this is tedious. I think the lockup has something to do with Freeview and its overnight updating procedure, however this should have sorted. I was unable to record VCR/DVD from any of my tapes some over 5 years old. I did not try DVD/VCR who would want to do this anyway ?There did not appear to be a default connection to Freeview so every time required a double button press VCR/TV. I felt the remote handset would not last long. Overall not a good buy

Where to start? Firstly, the player freezes in Freeview and you can only unfreeze it by pulling the plug from the socket. A non-starter on that issue alone. The software updater does not work. Just freezes. There is a high pitched whine from the machine that you can hear over the telly. That is soon drowned out when you put in a video tape. Remember Cillian Murphy attracting the attention of the soldiers in "28 Days Later?" Seriously, it is almost comical the whirring noise this machine makes, while my cheapo Funei VCR is noiseless. It tracks colour poorly on my older tapes (fine with the Funei), fluctuating into green, monochrome and bursts of purple interference. Objects often stick and judder. On the plus side, it is stable with tapes that are "jumpy" in two other VCR machines, but as the picture quality is so variable, you are not gaining much. Oh, and the tape also froze in the machine after I stopped it. I couldn't get it to play again or eject. I eventually got it to unfreeze by pressing forward. I couldn't test how well the machine converts VHS to DVD as it kept rejecting my blank media. I haven't the money to buy endless packs of five. It should work.

I am stunned Daewoo believe this is fit for the purpose. Combi's have never had a good reputation and you should give this the same wide birth of an escaped felon.

If you want to convert old VHS tape, your options are getting more limited by the day.

Daewoo DRVT43 - DVD Recorder/Video Combi With Freeview

This machine does pretty much what it says on the tin but those wanting to transfer VHS libraries to DVD may be dissappointed. There is plenty of ripguard protection and any VHS tape with the protection tab removed to prevent overplaying will be impossible to transfer to DVD even if you stick scotch tape over the hole. Luckily blank DVDs work OK provided that you format them first (quite easily done) and those classic films come round again and again ready to re-record to space efficient DVD. The Freeview facility is excellent and tuned in like grease lightning and picture quality for playing back existing VHS and DVD recordings is also excellent.