You thought the day would never come, but it's here: you can now use recordable DVDs the way you used to use VHS videocassettes. Sharp's cutting-edge DV-SR3US is a full-function DVD recorder and DVD player, offering DVD-RW/DVD-R editing and recording alongside progressive-scan video performance for state-of-the-art home-theater viewing.
Other features include CD/MP3 playback, DVD+R/+RW playback, simultaneous recording/playback, and simple, convenient advanced programming options (including 1-year, 32-event scheduling) using VCR Plus+. Rewriteable DVD-RW media can be recorded on more than 1,000 times, delivering about six hours of programming in EP mode. The recorder's editing function will erase sections of recorded scenes easily. Select any image you like to represent a scene's thumbnail image for chapter selection. On rewritable discs, you can add chapter marks, divide existing chapters, and combine chapters when desired, too.
Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the DV-SR3US stands ready to deliver the full potential of your commercial DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DV-SR3US sports one set of progressive-scan component-video outputs and 2 each composite- and S-video outs for use with SD (standard-definition) TVs as well as with VCRs or DVRs.
The DV-SR3US simplifies the process of searching for a specific moment on a disc through its high-speed-access thumbnail views and Quick Search functions. A video enhancement called Digital Gamma Picture will heighten the contrast of the transferred video to give it a more true and vivid image when displayed in bright environments.
Inputs consist of 3 each composite- and S-video, with 3 total sets of stereo analog (left/right) RCA audio inputs. Two sets of left/right RCA analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.
A tamper-proof feature lets you lock the recorder functions even with the power off, so children or others cannot change or use the timer-record functions. The unit's EZ Setup/auto clock feature detects all air and cable channels from the outset and also sets the clock by your local PBS station.
The DV-SR3U is a progressive-scan DVD recorder with DVD-R/RW record capability in addition to DVD+RW playback. This DVD recorder uses DVD-RW, DVD-R media allowing up to 6 hours on the DVD in extended record mode. This is a new solution for viewing recorded programs, editing recorded programs, and allowing the edited material to be saved on a DVD for future viewing or sharing. Other features include a front S-video jack for transferring video from other devices, and a video mode for playback in standard DVD players.DVD+RW playback allows you to playback DVD+RW type of recorded material. This flexibility provides even more playback functionality from other sources. Progressive video output allows a progressive signal to be output to a compatible monitor. The progressive mode will produce a dynamic image without interlaced artifacts. Editing function will erase sections of recorded scenes easily in addition to renaming the displayed titles. The thumbnail image for chapter selection can be changed to any image you choose. Chapter marks can be added for quick scene selection as well as dividing and combining chapters. VCR Plus+ function allows you to enter the PlusCode programming number for the show you wish to record. EZ Setup/Auto Clock detects all air and cable channels and also sets the clock by your local PBS station. Digital Gamma Picture will increase the dark areas of a video without over-riding the light areas. As a result, a more true and vivid image is displayed in bright environments. Tamper Proof function allows you to lock the recorder functions even with the power off so children or others cannot change or use the timer recorder functions. Universal remote controls all functions of the DVD-RW recorder and will also control another manufacturer's TV- power, volume, channel selection. Analog inputs allow you to connect other video sources for recording. There are 3 S-video/composite video inputs.
1 Recording problems, werid design
From day one I have the same problem with this dvd recorder
It will not record to dvd-rw discs;I tried 5 different brands with no luck; I took the recorder to an authorized repair center and they couldn't fix it; they need the codes or firmware to reflash the unit but Sharp never gave the codes to the shop
Sharp does not answer my emails, and I had been sending them for weeks; stay away, there is no support
And yes, the remote is a joke; who could imagine the on screen display to be hidden under other buttons? the part flip open remote is not easy to use and if you try to fast forward or rewind a dvd, it does as in little image jumps, not continuisly
2 Very good quality, but a few small problems
The recording quality of this recorder is excellent in SP or FINE mode, and pretty good in LP mode, but I found the EP mode could be better. Variable bit rate recording allows you to record up to an extra eight minutes in FINE mode.
There is a defect in this recorder that will not allow you to set a recording timer for channels 54-60. Sharp wanted me to send mine in so they could fix the problem, but it wasn't that big of a deal to me, so I kept mine as-is.
This recorder will absolutely not record anything copyrighted, so those of you looking to copy your store-bought DVDs will be disappointed.
Operation of this machine is very quiet, I know some of the others can be quite loud. The remote control is very comprehensive, including about every function I could think of and more. There is a slight delay between pressing a button on the remote and the recorder performing the desired function. This is almost unnoticeable unless you are trying to fast-forward to or pause at an exact point.
Overall, I would recommend this product. It has more outputs and as many analog inputs as any other recorder (although the lack of DV input may turn some people away), and excellent recording quality in FINE and SP make this recorder stand out. A fairly easy-to-use GUI doesn't hurt either. Just don't expect it to duplicate Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings, or timer record channels 54-60.
3 First Dvd Recorder
This is the first dvd recorder I've owned. I basicly wanted to burn my old vcr tapes and record from the TV. The Sharp DV-SR3U records dvd-r,dvd-rw discs. Rewritable discs can be recorded in video and VR mode.DVD-RW recorded in the VR mode can be edited after recording,but will only playback on this machine. The dvd-r, dvd-rw(video mode) seem to play in most standard players. The operation manual is 100 pages, well written, but somewhat complicated for a non-tech person. I don't like the flip open remote, but most often used keys are on top. Easy to set up timer recording from TV. Overall this is an excellent recorder and fulfills my needs!
4 The WORST
I have 4 DVD recorders.I have 3 Panasonics (great machines) & wanted a 4th but because of the IR remote I was limited to 3.So I needed another brand and SHARP had a good price (it seemed, incorrectly)so I got the SHARP.It is an amazing BAD machine.It doesn't work correctly and getting it fixed is a nightmare. I just sent it back for the second time,it returned today and they fixed NOTHING.It is a true Nightmare,STAY AWAY!!!
5 Great, affordable DVD recorder
This is my first DVD recorder, and so far I've been really happy with it. It has a lot of good solid features, including progressive scan, and many outputs/inputs. Coaxial & digital surround output, several S-VIdeo inputs & outputs, component video output, regular cable line in and out, and a whole bunch of composite RCA jacks. It had my input/output needs well covered!
The manual is very helpful, and all of the onscreen menus & such were easy to navigate. I recommend reading the manual before recording though! There is some details, like switching the recording mode from "FINE" (60 minutes) to a variety of other recording modes in "manual record mode". I prefer this as it allows me to use the maximum disc space & bit rate for a video I'm transferring over. The picture quality is awesome (perfect to the source), and I have seen no compression or motion artifacts. I haven't tried out the DVD-RW mode, which has a lot more special features & options than DVD-R, and I haven't yet tried out the longer recording modes (more than 2 hours), but I'm sure these are very satisfying as well.
**helpfuly information on compatible DVD-Rs for this player**
The first blank discs I used with this Sharp were Memorex (a brand usually well known for it's good blank media), only 3 were accepted by my DVD recorder! 1 I messed up on, but that was my fault, and 2 came out okay.. but only 1 out of those two could play on my Sony DVD player. *DON'T USE MEMOREX DISCS!*
I don't blame either company, I have many Memorex DVD+Rs from people that play great, so Memorex is a good brand to go with for other DVD recorders, just not this one.
Verbatim & Fujifilm both work great, and I haven't had any problems with them. Verbatims are a bit more expensive, but that's because they're top of the line. Fuji's are very affordable, and work great, so I'd recommend those as good starter discs.
The player is region 1/0 only, and it does comform to copy protection (for those interested in that sort of information). I've mainly been using (and intend to use) this recorder for archiving various VHS tapes, and it's kept me very satisfied, as it records however the video looked perfectly. Of course, if the video has crappy quality, the DVD will look just like that... but not any worse.. and it won't get any worse over time!
Overall, a great recorder/player with many excellent features, all for a price far below most!
