Samsung SV5000 S-VHS VCR

Pros: Virtually swallows any tape and converts it to other standards. Works with any TV
Cons: Setup not as easy as other units. Costs as much as two VCR's

How I got to Samsung SV5000W multi standard VCR: I am from Europe and was looking for a multi standard VCR, to be able to show the movies from home to the kids. You don't get them in any retail shops and the search for the right unit is very ...

Pros: PRICE!!!, Features
Cons: Difficulty in initial use, poor owner's manual

After just returning from living in Europe, where we had built up a large video collection, we were needing to by a multi-system VCR. When I first started shopping for them here in the US, I was in shock. The prices were huge ($1000+), or you had to...

Pros: feature rich, price
Cons: a little bit complicated to use, problem with macrovision

I bought this VCR so we could watch tapes purchased in Europe and Russia. After shopping around quite a bit, I finally decided this was the best "bang for your buck" and would up purchasing it at B&H Photo in New York for about $375.

The main...

Pros: Good conversion and playback between formats
Cons: Awful build quailty.. unit failed 2 times and needed repair

This unit was given to me as a gift and after less than 15 hours of use it broke down. This happened ...

Pros: Convenient,multifunctional,a lot of very good features
Cons: unreasonably high prices for parts and repairs

I bought it 2.5 years ago.First year I was happy-it is really a good machine while working. Just one ...

Pros: good quality PAL playback and recording; relatively inexpensive
Cons: sound sometimes iffy on some tapes; manual not that great

I bought the Samsung SV-5000W for really only one reason. I needed to record some PAL videos into NTSC tapes. I didn't want to pay alot for a vcr that would find limited use in my home. I was surprised to see how few PAL VCRs are available in the USA and...

Pros: None
Cons: Constant power supply problems resulted in a burnt circuit board

Purchased in oct '00. december '01 i had problems with it
playing. constantly ejected cassettes without playing. called samsung... got an advice "reset it".. as always "did not do the trick!!"
Out of warranty, took it to a samsung recommended...

Pros: Functionality,
Cons: Durability

I purchased this product because I was impressed with its ability to play or record any format. I purchased several PAL videos and was able to view them with ease on my NTSC TV.
All the good was negated by one major defect. Looks like from similar reviews, This manufacturer uses a poor quality power supply for this machine. My machine is out-of-warranty and the power supply died.
The cost of repairing this unit is quite substantial. and if I have it repaired, how long will it be before the unit has the same problem? I won't take that chance. I'll purchase a similar unit from a different manufacturer.
Not recommended!!

Pros: I like the idea of it, but it should be better implementation.
Cons: You can tray if have money enough.

I have bought it 2 years ago and it is dead now. The problem in power supply, I guess. Also, it was always white traces on the screen. Samsung doesn't provide any information about repair on them website. Bad device, bad marketing with good idea.

Pros: Multi-System VCR
Cons: Unreliable - Broken

I bought one of these machines several years ago to play my PAL tapes here in the US. After about 18 months it died. One day it just would not function. I had my brother, an electrician check the inside - fuse etc. which seemed fine, but it was still dead.

A search on ebay just revealed 3 dead machines for sale with identical faults. This leads me to believe there was some defect in these machines. Unfortunately, this leaves me with a very expensive inoperable VCR that died a few months out of warranty. I would think twice about buying Samsung products again.

Pros: Works great for a while
Cons: Dies early and is expensive to repair.

Bought it to play PAL tapes which it did well. After a couple of years (and probably 20 hours of use) it died. They wanted $100 to quote the repair so I bailed. I expect that the units for sale are old stock so you will have the same problem.

Pros: Easy installation. Outstanding price!!
Cons: None

I bought this product about a year ago or so, after long pondering, not being such a techno savvy person...
But surprisingly I found the Samsung VCR very easy to install and wonderful to use. Now I can buy my own movies in Europe (no subtitles!) and watch them here any time I feel like it. No more waiting for US releases or things like that.
I would advice it to any one who has the same desire.

Pros: Good feature set.
Cons: Quality issues resulting in recurring breakdowns

I had this unit for 4 years and had to repair it twice (every two years). Both times it was same power supply problem. It seems to me as an either design or manufacturing flow, or may be the party has some defective components. During my research after second break down I found that power supply problem is "well known" problem for this unit. I would recommend to stay away from the unit.

Pros: Looks nice good batteries with the remote.
Cons: Died beyond repair not reliable expensive batteries last longer than the VCR

The Batteries in the remote lasted longer than the VCR.It initially was very difficult to set up. I bought this it looked good and was delighted for a while.Had no problems for the first year on two years it started getting difficult for the tapes to play and then everything started to glow and the whole thing died.It has not been used heavily and for the price I expect more.After two years all I have to show is an expensive remote and a dead VCR which is beyond repair. Get a reliable brand and a converter.