Magnavox 160GB HDD & DVD Recorder with Digital Tuner 4.1 5 1042 1131
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM I have been writing, burning, and editing DVD's since DVD's were created. I have owned several DVD Recorders. The Magnavox 160GB DVD Recorder with Digital Tuner is one of the Best Values on the Market for the price.There are a couple of minor problems with the Unit, one involving the clock issue, and the other regarding the finalizing in which you can locate the answers in other posts or on AVS Forum. This is a great product and I highly recommend it. It may take a little time if you are not familiar with a DVD recorder to get to know how to use it fully but it is well worth the price.NOTE: IF YOU ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM.The Clock has a setting for AUTO SET. Many posts suggest setting the clock for MANUAL. I suggest turning the AUTO SET to "OFF".There is a problem with the UNIT and the clock issue (the clock will search a TV station to set the correct time each day at noon and midnight which DOES NOT WORK on the units. (and is not neccessary) What will happen is the unit will FREEZE up, the POWER will not come on on the unit.Some posts suggest unplugging the unit and plugging back in. I have read where buyers have returned the units because of this problem (unit will not power back up) and requested refunds, ect.What I have found if this happens to you, UNPLUG the unit. DISCONNECT the INPUT (cable TV input) THEN PLUG THE UNIT BACK IN, and it will power back up just fine. There is a ROGUE signal which comes across the cable trying to set the clock and it will completely lock the unit up. DO NOT RETURN THE UNIT, after you get the unit powered back up, hook back up your INPUT (coaxial if you are on cable T.V.) and go into the setup and turn the AUTO CLOCK setting to OFF. This should cure your problem.As far as recording, as far as a DVR, and as far as DVD burning, I do highly recommend this product, it is the best buy out there for the money.There is a lot of information on AVS forum about this unit if you need to know further information or have questions. 12/02/2009
Getting the hang of it... I must say that I have loved this DVR and I have been fustrated by it. The HDD works great for recording digital broadcasts - the DVD can be a bit fustrating.I am using this DVR to record over the air digital broadcasts - the digital tuner is fantastic. It is connected to a small antenna in the attic and it programmed all the local TV stations plus others. This exceeded my expectations.The HDD is a breeze to program. It is as easy to use as the VCR that it replaced. I especially love playing back one recording while it records another. Again, exceeds my expectations.Now the DVD recorder. After several 2 hour recordings I became fustrated that several features would not work as described in the manual. I reread the manual several times but it can be vague and confusing to understand. The recordings worked fine but I had difficulty with finalizing a session; splitting titles & using the DVD and HDD simultaneously. I called the Customer Service line for assistance. They were great and very helpful.You can only use specific types of media outlined in the manual. Several brands are listed but I was using a different brand name than listed in the manual. I was also using DVD-R and DVD-RW disks. Customer Service informed me that I should ONLY use those media listed in the manual and specifically DVD+R or DVD+RW. They think my problems stem from using the wrong disks. I have since ordered the correct disks and I will test their theory when the disks arrive.I must add that C.S. provided me a couple pointers not included in the manual. #1-buy a good laser lens cleaner and use it after every 10 hours of DVD use. I guess the lens gets dirty and causes the DVD seek time to slow down. Typical seek time is 4 seconds but a dirty lens will slow it down to 8 seconds! #2-ONLY use +R or +RW disks listed in the manual.Overall I am pleased with the unit. There aren't many DVRs on the market and I would recommend this unit to any 'over-the-air' broadcast users. The digital tuner in this unit is very sensitive. 07/03/2009
Very Happy With Purchase Wow, I had no idea this type of item was on the market, basically a digital version of a VCR but much, much more impressive.The built in digital tuner picked up every digital channel available in my area and the HD channels looks great when using an HDMI cable (not provided) in package.The unit also buffers Live TV so you can pause and rewind Live TV without having to record, that is stuff I thought was only avail with the leased Cable and Sat units.I also love the VSkip feature when watching a recording, jumps right through commercials with a breeze, as well as the Chase play feature which allows you to watch a recording from the beginning while still recording.To sum it up, it is an incredible buy at this price it plays and records great, you just have to make sure you are using proper DVD's as decsribed in the manual.I have no complaints with it at this time, I recommend it to anyone looking to step up to the next level in live TV recording, or to fire the Sat and Cable companies and their leased equipment.Hope this helps in your decision making process, you will not regret this purchase believe me. 08/08/2009
Unit does not record in HD There has been some confusion in the various posts regarding what format this product records in. Page 42 of the manual states that: "All high definition pictures will be down converted to the standard definition pictures when they are recorded on this unit." It further states on pg 45 that "This unit cannot record images as aspect ratio of 16:9. The 16.9 images will be recorded as 4:3." You can still select your playback of the material to be 16:9, but the image will be stretched to some extent to fill it. Either way, the recording is still digital and will look good, it just won't be HD quality so don't set your expectations incorrectly. 09/30/2009
