LG RC897T Multi-Format DVD Recorder and VCR Combo with Digital Tuner (2009 Model)

I am so shocked and surprised at how 'great this LG RC897T MULTI-FORMAT DVD COMBO is. Mine died (Sony) so I bought a Toshiba with all the whistles, and that things was the worse. I would not record DVDs but VHS; remote had no volumn button; would not do playback of tape I recorded; would not play burned DVDs but would play movies I bought from store. Had to use 3 remotes to even switch to make it work. I had to send that things back. NO. 1Bought a Magnavox and it did not have the 2 cable ports needed to hook up digital cable cords. Price was great, but had to return it to Kmart. That was two I had to return. NO. 2So, I surf more and found the LG 897T, read great reviews so I orderd it from Amazon. It is the greatest. So easy to hook up, did not need manual, and to operate all the new features that I have never used before, and did it without having to read the manual. Click on menu and the rest is just simple to me. NO.3,'A WINNER.'I now record on DVD, never done that before. I gave my first DVD record a Title name(so easy);it can separate recordings on DVD into 3-4 section and name them. I format DVD and use ONLY DVD-/+RW DISC, and it is so easy. I am so excited I can't stand it. I'm having fun, fun, fun. Next to try is recoding from VHS to DVD, altho I love my VHS tapes and not a fan of DVDs. VHS are more sturdy, last longer,and if they crack, you can put tape over it and keep on playing VHS.Only drawback: The 1 year warranty is $40. I think that is too high, and 90 days on parts. I feel if I am paying this much $234 total, for this combo, I should have a year full coverage. I could not buy the warranty at time of purchase, so I don't konw if they will allow me to buy it later. hmmmI think the industry and hollywood is moving this industry too fast and there are many of use who love VHS. I don't care about Blue-Ray. It was hard for me to find a VHS/DVD combo because the market is scarce with them. They are not making many of then. I feel like I will have to buy another one just to keep on hand if it breaks later years.

I bought a refurbished LG RC897 DVD/VHS with built in tuner, received it in June 2016. I placed the order through Amazon, but the reseller was Home Theater Deals. I knew it was a risk buying a refurbished unit, but DVD/VHS players are scarce, and finding one with a built-in tuner was impossible. This unit was to replace the exact same LG model that I had for 6 years. I only get over-the-air channels, and having 1 less remote to change channels was important to me.When I received the unit and opened the box, I was concerned because it was not packaged very well at all. Several different types of packaging materials were used, and it looked like they were just thrown in the box, while the bubbles on the bubble wrap around the unit were all deflated. However, after hooking the unit up, I was pleasantly surprised that the unit worked great. Or it did until Sept 2016, just 3 months later. First it started randomly shutting itself off when I would change a channel, then when turning the unit on the lights would come on, but after a few seconds it would shut down, and after a couple days of this, it would not turn on at all. I should have known better buying a refurbished unit, a very expensive lesson. I took the unit in to a local repair place, but unfortunately they can no longer get any parts for it.

Product cane early and in good order. Works just fine. Recommend the seller.

LG RC897T Multi-Format DVD Recorder and VCR Combo with Digital TunerI bought Re-Furbished,The recorder funnctions well with modest to good results, depending on what you choose for length. I usualy use 4hrs LP mode on the DVD, and VCR slp. This is reasonably OK and quite watchable.The machine does what I need,and discs are playable in my other machines and my computer.Digital tuner, is what I bought this for and works great.CONS: Small unfriendly remote, but you get used to it. Timer recording not user friendly,so I dont use it.If you have to pay the full retail price,not good value.

I bought one of these and, once I read the manual and learned how to use it, loved it. So, I bought another one and now I have two. This is a great dvd/vcr combo. It has a very good digital tuner (fyi: LG makes the digital tuners for the zenith and insignia dtv converters, which are rated as the #1 converters). I has a sensitive tuner so all the channels come through very nicely. The dvd recorder is wonderful. It can record in different speeds (like vhs) and if you record at the middle speed (i.e. 4 hours per dvd), the quality is still as good as a dvd. I recommend using DVD-RAM discs so you can record and re-record over the discs (basically, a dvd-ram disc acts like a vhs tape). Overall, this machine has a good amount of functions. The only drawback about this machine is that it is not user friendly. So, I do not suggest it for older people or those who have problems programming a vcr. But, if you're someone who doesn't mind going through menus and doing 'setup', then its not so bad to use. I think its a great machine and it has a lot more functions than its lower price indicates. Granted, it is not as user friendly or fancy as the more expensive digital dvd/vcrs, but if you just want something that will receive digital channels and record tv shows, then its a great bargain and I highly recommend it.

I mainly bought this for the tuner since it was so much cheaper than trying to get the ATSC tuner on the super big TV repaired. The tuner does have minor unexplained deficiencies regarding stability bur otherwise produces fine images. The VCR is not all that good having difficulty with older tapes and the DVD player recorder functions fine. In terms of styling and usability it really stinks. Front panel controls are few and of little use. Do not misplace the cheap looking remote because the deck is nearly useless without it. Black just is not a color of choice in any way but especially the dirt showing high gloss.