SanDisk V-Mate
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- SanDisk V-Mate
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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
THE GOOD
Records TV shows--or any video source--to SD, MMC, and Memory Stick flash media; easy to set up; connects to any cable/satellite box, DVR, VCR, or DVD player; recorded files play back on a wide variety of mobile handheld devices, including the PSP, many PDAs, mobile phones, portable media players, and--after a PC file transfer--the video iPod; doesn't recognize Macrovision copy-protection flags, so recording VHS and DVD movies isn't a problem; included IR blaster allows you for programmed timer recordings on different channels on many cable and satellite boxes; doubles as a USB memory card reader for PCs.
THE BAD
All video recording done in real time, which will frustrate anyone used to ripping DVDs or downloading video files; the recorder lacks S-Video connectivity and support for CompactFlash cards; recordings at the highest resolution can't be previewed on screen; unforgiving remote needs to be pointed directly at the V-Mate during use; may not have remote codes compatible with your A/V devices.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Though its lacks CompactFlash support, the SanDisk V-Mate is ultimately a slicker and more feature-rich mini digital VCR than the similarly priced Neuros Recorder 2 Plus.
CNET Reader Reviews
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November 4, 2006 06:42
4.0/5
Set up is fast & easy, firmware upgrade was also easy. User's manual is very sketchy as this is such a new product. Tried all the 4-digit codes provided for DirecTV receivers, but no go. put a call into SanDisk tech support--the tech seemed tota... read more » -
January 30, 2008 04:55
4.0/5
For what I paid ($76 shipped), I am so far happy with this product. Hopefully it will last a year or more until an ATSC model with 1080i is released. The remote is narrower than a credit card and is impossible to see in dim light since it's all bl... read more » -
October 23, 2007 07:40
4.5/5
Once the firmware update is done to fix the problem I have with it, I'll be a happy camper.
Where to Buy
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