It gets all of the unscrambled Analog or Digital channels direct off cable, air or FIOS with good quality record to Harddrive and DVD. The editing is easy to use and buffers live TV up to 6 hours which you can backup and press record if you want to from any point to the present and beyond up to 12 hours total. Has quick dubbing to DVD when recorded at slowest record speed. I love being able to edit the comersials out before dubbing to DVD plus record up to 6 hours on a single DVD. Relatively better image quality than a TIVO at lowest record speed. It is a little slow on changing channels 5 to 7 secs when surfing plus can not delete sub channels (only the main channel with all the sub channels too) For example 7.1, 7.2 & 7.3 either keep them all or no 7.anything. But still you can direct enter to channels no favorate channels either. Upconverter works good and supports control thru HDMI.Read full review
I do not have cable or satellite and watch broadcast movies and PBS programming. Our local PBS affiliate broadcasts four distinct digital streams. Prior to acquiring this unit I recorded broadcasts on DVD-R and DVD-RAM discs on a Panasonic recorder (also a fine unit), but was wanting the convenience of a HD recorder. By far most of these units are TIVO-type systems that require Cable or Satellite. Here's why this one is good: 1. It includes a Digital SATA tuner -- you can record off the air to HD. 2. You can watch what you have already recorded while recording something else. 3. If you like something on the HD, you can burn it to a DVD (DVD-R, -RW, +R and +RW are supported) and make it playable on other DVD players. 4. The programming is fairly easy to do once you geet the hang of it. 5. You can daisy-chain your antenna connection between systems -- I go from this unit to the DVD Recorder to the TV and can tune each unit separately for great flexibility. 6. The DVD/CD part can be used to play CDs or MP3 music discs. 7. There are a variety of inputs/outputs -- multichannel digital audio, standard two-channel, S-video and standard video, and one HDMI (for your TV). This helps when working in a home-theater type environment with an AV receiver. 8. The HD playback remembers where you left off ON EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT. I find this incredibly convenient. For discs, it only remembers if you leave the disk in the machine between viewings. Here's some stuff to watch out for: 1. Most of the units available at reasonable price are refurbished. Be sure to test it immediately on receipt to avoid problems later. Record some stuff, play a DVD, dump a recording to a DVD etc. Most Ebay vendors will exchange DOA equipment but there is usually a 7 day or so limit. Beyond that point, there is a 90 day factory warranty. 2. The HDMI output can be a little squirrely -- I use HDMI to the TV and digital audio to an AV receiver. The HTMI works fine for TV but the audio goes away when playing the HD recorder or a DVD and I need to use the digital audio. Not a big deal but it freaked me out when it first happened. 3. The recorder does not read digital program information as you record (only the date time and station) so as you accumulate stuff it can get confusing. You need to do some (tedious) program information editing to remind you what you have, or keep a detailed log separately. Over the air is free but less convenient that TIVO-type systems. 4. The default audio settings flatten playback on Dolby audio (most recordings) and audio is samples by default at half the optimal rate. This is good for keeping an even level on output, but really messes up fidelity in good audio recordings. Audiophile listeners will want to adjust these items in the settings to enhance sound quality. Overall, I love this thing and heartily recommend it.Read full review
I bought a refurbished unit from an eBay top rated seller. Hard drive worked great but DVD drive had some issues with it recognizing dvd+rw disks. Called Magnavox(Funai) tech support and they told me to update the units "firmware". Easy internet download and thorough instructions but you need a computer to accomplish this task. After I upgraded the firmware, it is working GREAT! I can record to HDD then edit (cut out the commercials) the program and dub(copy) it to a DVD disk to watch on any other DVD player. I love the vesatility of recording and watching the current show or a previously recorded show while it records another one. SUPER functionality! I highly recommend it. I have ordered another one. NOTE: I am replacing my Panasonic DMR-EZ47 & EZ48 witch have constantly locked up or froze from the beginning and now have totally died. They wanted more to repair/exchange the Panasonics than I paid for the refurbished Magnavox. Not good quality or customer care at Panasonic!!!Read full review
My programs are important to me. I needed the atsc programmable tuner and the convenience of a hard drive. This machine replaces around thirty vhs tapes. You'll love the real-time tivo-like rewind. You'll love the frame-by-frame action. You'll love the menu of recorded items which play just by highlighting the item. Two notes: This machine does not play through it's rf cable. Only the av ports. It only allows antenna signals through to the next device. This is good but if your tv is rf only, you'll need an rf modulator. I use my vcr to modulate the signal but that prevents me from viewing the hard drive while recording a vhs tape. Also, the excellent programmable tuner is only accessible with the remote. No front panel controls for menu. If the remote fails, you'll be limited indeed! It's only fair to say I have just a few hours experience with the machine at this writing. Durability remains to be seen.Read full review
One of the best models available only superseded by the same one with 1000 GB memory. Cheaper than refurb ones. Very pleased
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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