The Bottom Line
Pros
- HDMI output works for both DVD and VCR.
- 1080p upscaling function for both DVD and VHS Tape playback.
- Acceptable DVD Upscaling Performance.
- Records in most recordable DVD Formats.
- Meets tuner requirements for DTV Transition - Also features Set-top Box Control Option.
Cons
- VHS video playback and upscaling lackluster.
- Remote control has small buttons - not backlit.
- No true Super VHS quality playback.
- No S-Video input - only S-Video output.
- No SACD or DVD Audio Playback.
Description
- Records to all current DVD disc formats with Super Multi Format Recording: DVD±R /DVD±RW/DVD+R Double Layer/DVD-RAM.
- Digital music, photos, and video file playback via front panel USB port.
- 1080p video upscaling via HDMI for both DVD and VHS playback. SD out via Component (red, green, blue), S-video, Composite.
- Onboard ATSC tuner for reception and recording of over-the-air Digital TV signals. Complies with DTV Transition requirements.
- IR blaster provided for control and recording from digital cable/digital satellite boxes.
- VHS to DVD and DVD to VHS cross-dubbing of non-copy-protected video content.
- A front panel DV (IEEE-1394, iLink, Firewire) input for recording from digital camcorders is provided.
- Additional Video Inputs: RF Coaxial and Composite (1 rear, 1 front).
- Audio Inputs: analog stereo inputs (1 front, 1 rear) - Audio Outputs: 1 Digital Optical, 1 Digital Coaxial, 1 Analog Stereo.
- Remote control of other LG SimpLink equipped components via HDMI connections. Wireless remote control provided.
Guide Review - LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR Combination - Product Review
1: Video quality was very good for all compatible disc recording formats. At the one and two-hour record modes, I found very little visual difference between the source material and finished recording.
2: The simultaneous recording/playback feature with the DVD-RAM format worked well. It was easy to view both the the current recording and playback of earlier segments while still recording the rest of the current program. The only caveat is it that discs recorded using this format are usually not playbable on other DVD players.
3: This unit performs well as a DVD recorder, DVD player, and CD player. Dolby Digital and DTS were excellent, and the 1080p video upscaling did a good job on DVDs. The video and audio quality was definitely as good as many upscaling DVD players, and also did satisfactory on standardized tests, but the upscaling performance of the RC897T was not as good as my OPPO DV-983H DVD player which I use as a reference.
4: The RC897T had no difficulty playing recorded DVDs made on other DVD recorders; DVD-Rs made on a Sony RDR-HX900, on a PC, and DVR+Rs/DVD+RWs that were previously made on a Philips DVDR985.
5: As much as I was pleased with the DVD record and playback performance of the RC897T, I was disappointed in the quality of VHS recording and playback. Although the 1080p upscaling feature works on VHS output, the quality of the VHS images was not as good as I would have expected. My old RCA VR-725HF VCR had better standard VHS quality recording and playback. Another disappointment with RC897T is that even though it does have an S-Video output, it does not have an S-Video input.
6: The one-touch bi-directional dubbing function and user interface were both easy to use.
The RC897T has a very good DVD section, but the lackluster VCR section does affect its overall rating.
