Philips CDR 770 : Standalone CD Recorder : Vintage Tech Review

I bought this brand new way back in 2000. The Philips CDR 770 standalone CD recorder was an easy and relatively affordable way to get into digital recording. For a long time I got a lot of use out of it. I burned dozens and dozens of CDs with this thing. As I mention in the video, these standalone CD Recorders were never known for being stable or reliable. But when it did work, it worked well.
Mine stopped working for me a couple of years ago. I noticed that every time I tried to make a recording, it would either freeze or just randomly stop recording. It became very unpredictable. I still use it to play CDs, and it does that very well.
This deck only took "music only" blank CDs, or what was otherwise known as "for consumer" blank CDs.
In this video I talk about the highlights of this machine, as well as a few complaints that I had about it. By the way, standalone CD recorders are still being made, and the price has come way down.

[@yanks1fan09]

I have the same one but the dual deck 775. Never had any issues and recorded a lot on it. Nice review.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks! I recall seeing the dual deck version and always wanting one.

[@juppstrubbelkupp7030]

I still use a Pioneer PDR 555 RW since the early 2000's ... it still works great and I'm working with it with lots of fun and satisfaction... Yours sincerely Andy

[@techreviewguy7771]

A lot of the Pioneer stuff was very well built!

[@troyconnolly9053]

By the late 90s most manufacturers not just Philips built things only to last a limited time and to a budget . I own earlier Philips 900 series equipment which still works fine . To this. Day .

[@techreviewguy7771]

You have a good point. Shame how certain items were designed with planned obsolescence.

[@BlackJedi169]

I still have this now even though it stopped recording discs. i still would like to get it repaired, the same as my lg dvdr with 250gb hard drive.....as i have a lot of music dj dvds which when i hear my favourite track i could use the increments and name that track....good video tape by the way...

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks for watching! I would love to buy a new CD recorder someday. The prices have really come down.

[@QUADBOYification]

Thanks for this nice video. There are a few more caveats about these machines. If you had a C90 CD-R made on your computer playing the extra 10 minutes on most other standalone CD-Player it was rejected on these CDR7xx series models. On double CD-R Recorders (type CDR7xx) it worked only with the right-side Play-only unit. The burn capable unit on the left still rejected those. One other thing bothered me, after buying several Music CD-R(W) discs at a premium they were accepted if loaded but still gave me an OPC Error if i tried to record (Push RECORD Button). Up till now the only Music CD-Recordable that works on these CDR7xx models to actually flawlessly record on is a ""FUJI CD-R PRO 80 (with Rotation Stabilizer). They are expensive and a novelty. Servicing these models is possible and you get a great quality CD-Player with CD-Text. Audio is Top-notch. You can buy them as cheap as $20 on some eBay listing for parts or not working.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks for all the in-depth information!

[@Micjoh]

Give it a clean for goodness sake. If the interior is as grubby as the outside I'm not surprised. I own one of these. Had it since 1999. The lazer failed and I replaced the mechanism. Now used in my home studio. It can sometimes be possible, if gentle cleaning of the lazer with isopropyl doesn't work to adjust the voltage to allow it to burn again. Search KZbin for non reading cd/dvd. These need a clean high output lazer signal to burn discs

[@techreviewguy7771]

I see your point. I used to use this machine much more frequently, and at that time I spent more time cleaning it. But even then, when I kept it clean and it was only a few years old, it was wonky. It was temperamental from the day I bought it.

[@CSGraves]

I forgot these standalone CD-R units existed. I've always digitized via computer. You'd think one of the companies to develop the Red Book standard coulda turned out a better machine, no?

[@techreviewguy7771]

In all fairness, this was one of the cheaper standalone units from that time. That's a big reason why I bought it. But I understand that there were higher end models by other companies that were much more reliable and consistent. You can still buy them from B+H. I paid about $500 for mine back in the day. Today they sell for about $300.

[@ratedgforgraeme]

Forgive my ignorance but I just inherited one of these from a friend and I went to bust out all my cds. Sadly, the tray just closes then reopens when a standard cd from a label is inserted. Does this only work to read and write burnable cds? Can it be used as a standalone CD player?

[@techreviewguy7771]

Sounds like yours has an issue. Mine will play any CD, either pre recorded or home burned.

[@QUADBOYification]

Do like this model, nice display with dot matrix.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks for watching!

[@VHSfans]

Nowadays is very dificult to find theese Philips CD recorders in completely working condition. Many of this units has laser worn out. Trying to replace of laser pick up has no effect, because new pick up must be re-alignment in internal mainboad EEPROM via special PC service tool "Philips ComPair". Nowadays this service device is not found in any service centre.

[@techreviewguy7771]

That's too bad. If mine could be easily overhauled for a good price, I would do it. At least I can still use it as a player.

[@HappyJ]

The biggest issue I have is finding CDr Music that will work today. Manufacturers have changed their manufacturing processes. I still have some new old stock, Maxell CDr Music cds that record flawlessly. New stock Maxell CDR music cds won't record. Same issue on new stock Philips CDR Music cds.

[@techreviewguy7771]

It's interesting you say this. I have also had very good luck with Maxell discs. But I have had terrible luck with newer TDK blank discs.

[@dean6816]

Pressing the record button (on the system) whilst recording should give you the track increment.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Hmmm...I do know that some models did do that, but I am not sure if that works on this model. I will double check.

[@chrislittle9057]

Well I've had this cd recorder and I can say all the problems people been having with thes deck...ive had not one problem..I found it likes tdk cdr ..consumer cd...of course lol...and its a fantastic recorder..Happy days 😎😎😎

[@techreviewguy7771]

That's great you have had no problems! Excellent!

[@ethelingram1142]

thanks, for the information, I am still trying to get the recorder to work, step by step what you did, do you know anything about a reel to reel recorders, I love to play and record music since I have retied.

[@techreviewguy7771]

Hi Ethel. Thanks for watching! I do know a bit about reel to reel. I have owned a few over the years. I do have a few reel to reel videos here on my channel, and I hope to post more in the future.

[@dean6816]

I had the Philips CDR 880 which i bought in 1998. There's a way to use none music (computer disc) cdrs by doing a disc swap!

[@techreviewguy7771]

Thanks for watching!

[@marcelomandiola2530]

WHERE THE MARK OF CD RECOMMENDS FOR THE GRABATION?

[@techreviewguy7771]

Yes, it will only take "consumer only" CDRs, or "Music only" CDRs.

[@marcelomandiola2530]

@@techreviewguy7771 , TDK , DENON , maxell , ect ??

[@MichaelWhitakerJr]

How do I get the track door to eject with the remote?

[@techreviewguy7771]

I don't know if you can. It's been a long time since I used this.

[@ommii]

Philips 785 cd recorder saying opc error also stops when finalizing cd been thur aleast 10 of these machines since 2004 I have the Manuel but opc error I don't see in it

[@techreviewguy7771]

OPC error...I don't believe I ever encountered this. Anyone?

[@ommii]

@@techreviewguy7771 ok

[@pythribeiro]

I have one for sale and have no idea about the price. I am in Sao Paulo, Brazil

[@techreviewguy7771]

Not sure what they sell for these days.

[@chrislittle9057]

Can this record to philips cdr disc's....🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@techreviewguy7771]

Yes, as long as the discs are branded "for consumer". Or "music only".