For the origional experience, go here...
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/126352/1.ashx
Well, here is where things are as of today with RCA. After following many of your suggestions and finding an operator willing to do their job, it appears I have a new RCA DVD recorder on its way. The operator I talked to this morning assures me my machine is being shipped by FED EX and its last known location is in Indiana. Since the call center Tennessee and my last machine was shipped to Texas, I can only assume it is a brand new machine.
I hope this one lasts longer than 5 months.
This much is certain...
My new MAGNAVOX DVD recorder is better and easier to use than that RCA one was.