Samsung SV-5000W Worldwide VHS Format VCR

I was very impressed with this tape converter. It truly is a world tape converter. Easy to set up, and easy to play. There is very little that the manual does not cover. I basically just wanted a tape player, and then maybe a device, that would allow me to put PAL tapes to DVD.I think that what most people fail to take into account , is that this machine treats tapes the same way the players of the country of origin treat the tape ... basically, bad tape, bad playback.The only converter I have seen that does better is a DVD converter.The only way to get a better playback is to get a VHS player of the tape used by the original tape, and then use a Rack mount converter that are used in large studies ( priced from 2,000 to 7,000).This item does great for what it is, and what it is priced.Highly recommended.

Original review, February, 2006.I bought my SV-5000W four-five years ago (maybe even more), and had very few problems with it. It has never been in for repair. Sometimes there were problems with individual rental tapes (NTSC), but the conversions worked well. I was able to put together movies on computer (using an NTSC DV camcorder) and play them to the VCR for recording in PAL to send to relatives overseas with no problems. PAL tapes from UK, Australia, NZ, etc., worked very well. Stereo sound was another plus.I never had the snow problem (other than on individual tapes) and never noticed a problem with the unit being particularly hot. I rarely cleaned the heads. As my main VCR, it worked very well, also acting as the tuner for the whole system. A later DVD player plays through the VCR to the TV, allowing non-NTSC DVDs to be converted as well. I don't have much need for SECAM-L, so I haven't missed that option, PAL being the big one for me.Many of the neat features were not used much by me. I preferred editing material on computer, then sending it to the VCR for recording on tape. Direct burning of a DVD has become the common approach now, but my parents don't have a DVD player and want videos of the kids, so....I was very happy with the VCR, but last week (while I was away), the VCR died. It appeared to be producing some snow or something, so the cleaning cassette was put in by my kids. It's still in there! A discussion with the local repairer suggests about $250 and 2-3 weeks' wait. I seem to recall paying over $500 for the VCR originally, and the price seems to have dropped 50% or so since then. At the time, it was the best option available for a multi-format VCR (given price and other machines available). Most retailers had never heard of such a machine, and anything comparable was several hundred dollars more again, plus the need for a video converter after that.I think I will simply buy another VCR the same (the SV-5000W). Looking at the reviews, there do seem to be problems, but we'll just have to hope for another good one. The VCR's use will decrease a bit with DVDs becoming more common in our house, but we still need to convert video back and forth from time to time.Looking at another on-line store, it appears that the SV-5000W is being discontinued, although it is still in stock at this time. There appear to be few other VCRs (if any) that allow you to play almost any video on whatever TV you have, a big attraction for the SV-5000W. The need for an external video converter (or a multi-system TV), in addition to the VCR, adds to the price significantly, as these are another couple of hundred dollars (or perhaps rather more for a TV).In summary, I had several years of good service from the unit and am prepared to buy another one, especially as there appears to be no other VCR with a built-in video converter, and when you add the cost of a decent one to a multi-system VCR, the SV-5000W is rather cheaper.Update in May, 2006. I did buy this unit, installed it and it has worked flawlessly since. Recommended if you can get one!

I bought this used junk that only worked ones. After purchasing this product i made only 1 conversion from Pal to NTSC. After a month naturally I had to convert another product. For my surprise this VHS kept on giving me numerous problems. I decided to contact the seller because I paid in this bad economy at least $300 for this used product. The seller replied back to me that he understand my concern and that he'll get Asap back in contact with me but finalize his sentence that 14 days guarantee has passed. Of course it will pass seller because I'm not sitting infront a tv converting everyday a movie. This month is august so I'm been waiting back on this seller for about 4 to 5 months to reply back to me with any solution. What i could say is DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY BUYING JUNK FROM THIS SELLER because it probably will work the first time than never ever again. I'll try to claim afterall this transaction to Amazon.com. Because these sellers need to be banned selling used junks on this site.

I have had the same snow problem as others describe in the reviews. I cleaned the heads -tried everything. One thing the unit does well is heat the room. Samsung produced a portable worldwide heater, capable of warming a small sized bedroom in just under an hour. If the VCR portion doesn't work for you, I recommend using it as a heater. Very satisfied with my heater purchase.