Looking for Recommendation for Replacement DVD Recorder

[Novice20]

About four years ago, I bought a Mag MDR513H DVD Recorder based upon recommendations that people here were kind enough to give me. I may have to replace that recorder and would greatly appreciate recommendations as to which Mag model to buy now. I don't need a fancy one with lots of bells & whistles (though that may be all that is available now), just something that does the job as the 513 has done (513s are no longer available).

Thank you for your assistance.

Well...I just saw that the shipping weight, according to Walmart, is 9 lbs. for the Mag but 11 lbs. for the Funai labeled model. Do they use a heavier carton for the Funai or is there really 2 lbs. more "workings" to the Funai labeled model?

[usually_quiet]

About four years ago, I bought a Mag MDR513H DVD Recorder based upon recommendations that people here were kind enough to give me. I may have to replace that recorder and would greatly appreciate recommendations as to which Mag model to buy now. I don't need a fancy one with lots of bells & whistles (though that may be all that is available now), just something that does the job as the 513 has done (513s are no longer available).

Thank you for your assistance.

Magnavox is still making DVD recorders. Their most recent models are the MDR535H/F7 and MDR537H/F7. Nobody else makes any for the USA with a hard drive and an ATSC/QAM tuner.

[orsetto]

The only DVD/HDD recorder with North American tuner still available new is the current Magnavox MDR557, which sells for $298 via Amazon or WalMart websites. It looks exactly like your MDR513, but has a few internal differences: the hard drive is a full terabyte capacity, roughly six times the storage of your 160GB MDR513. Operation is similar but not quite identical to your older model (minor changes to the editing system).

Of significance to some people is the switch to a more traditional file structure in DVDs finalized by the MDR557. All previous Magnavox recorders used a somewhat peculiar DVD file structure that some PC software had difficulty reading correctly, which could lead to problems editing or converting the ripped DVDs on a PC. The MDR557 employs a "standard" DVD file structure similar to the (long discontinued) Pioneer, Sony and Panasonic models.

[VideoChunkster]

The only DVD/HDD recorder with North American tuner still available new is the current Magnavox MDR557, which sells for $298 via Amazon or WalMart websites. It looks exactly like your MDR513, but has a few internal differences: the hard drive is a full terabyte capacity, roughly six times the storage of your 160GB MDR513. Operation is similar but not quite identical to your older model (minor changes to the editing system).

Of significance to some people is the switch to a more traditional file structure in DVDs finalized by the MDR557. All previous Magnavox recorders used a somewhat peculiar DVD file structure that some PC software had difficulty reading correctly, which could lead to problems editing or converting the ripped DVDs on a PC. The MDR557 employs a "standard" DVD file structure similar to the (long discontinued) Pioneer, Sony and Panasonic models.

I dont think you'll have any problems OP with what you need, this dude is so knowledgable that many times I have just logged in to read his posts on partcular models and equipment.

[Novice20]

Thank you, usually_quiet for the model information.

The only DVD/HDD recorder with North American tuner still available new is the current Magnavox MDR557, which sells for $298 via Amazon or WalMart websites. It looks exactly like your MDR513, but has a few internal differences: the hard drive is a full terabyte capacity, roughly six times the storage of your 160GB MDR513. Operation is similar but not quite identical to your older model (minor changes to the editing system).

Of significance to some people is the switch to a more traditional file structure in DVDs finalized by the MDR557. All previous Magnavox recorders used a somewhat peculiar DVD file structure that some PC software had difficulty reading correctly, which could lead to problems editing or converting the ripped DVDs on a PC. The MDR557 employs a "standard" DVD file structure similar to the (long discontinued) Pioneer, Sony and Panasonic models.

Thank you, orsetto, for your recommendation and model description and information. I saw on the AVS forum thread for this unit that it does not do an automatic finalize on the DVD after an HDD--> DVD dub as the 513 did - that has to be manually initiated. Did I misunderstand what was written there or is that true?

Regrettably, Amazon no longer has the MDR557. The other sellers listed there are charging about one-third more than Amazon had been. Amazon does have a refurb MDR537 (factory 90-day warranty). I wonder if the price difference is worth getting this one, instead.

I dont think you'll have any problems OP with what you need, this dude is so knowledgable that many times I have just logged in to read his posts on partcular models and equipment.

That has been my experience, as well

[usually_quiet]

Since you are concerned about the possibility that the new Magnavox lack auto finalization, just use DVD+RW discs. They don't require finalization to be readable by a PC.

[Edit] Amazon says the MDR557H is temporarily out of stock, so it is likely to be back in stock soon.

[orsetto]

Finalization is rarely completely automatic as it was on the Magnavox MDR513: most recorders offered you the option at the end of the dubbing process, or required you to manually finalize. It really isn't a big deal one way or the other unless you're a complete addle-brained nitwit, which I don't think you are, Novice20. Anyone with your four years experience using a recorder should be able to pop into the disc setup menu and choose "finalize" before storing the disc away. Granted, if you got used to the convenience of "idiot-proof" auto-finalizing, you might forget to manually do it a couple times when starting with a new recorder. You should be fine, and might even discover the 557 does have a hidden option somewhere you can set to "autofinalize."

Very few people have reported extensively on the new 557, and its instruction manual is riddled with errors, so you'll need to play with it a bit. When perusing the massive threads and posts on other sites, keep in mind the overwhelming majority of Magnavox forum participants bought the H2160 and 513 refurb units for $159 some years ago. They would literally rather die than pay the $298 price of any "new" recorder, so there isn't much posted in the way of 557 user experience.

I would not recommend a "refurb" or "new old stock" Magnavox in the 533, 535, or 537 series. These had some serious teething pains, drawing many complaints, one of the reasons the 557 got a significant internal redesign. If you opt to get a new recorder instead of replacing the disc drive in your old MDR513, go for the newest MDR557 (unless you can still find an older "new old stock" 513 or 515 at a decent price).

Amazon stock of the MDR557 comes and goes, you'll probably find it easier on the WalMart website, and WalMart offers a more liberal return policy anyway (pretty much infinite). WalMart whim is sole reason the Magnavox continues to exist, so they have a lot of clout with the mfr regarding returns: even if you don't like WalMart, they're probably the best source for Magnavox recorders.

Note while the MDR557 is a safer bet than the 533, 535 or 537, it still isn't quite as rugged as your old MDR513. If I were you., I'd seriously consider simply buying the $68 replacement DVD drive for it. If you aren't comfortable installing the new drive, chat up a friend or relative who's a computer geek. It isn't very difficult.

[Novice20]

Since you are concerned about the possibility that the new Magnavox lack auto finalization, just use DVD+RW discs. They don't require finalization to be readable by a PC.

[Edit] Amazon says the MDR557H is temporarily out of stock, so it is likely to be back in stock soon.

Thanks usually_quiet. I should have caught that finalizing is irrelevant with +RW.

I would not recommend a "refurb" or "new old stock" Magnavox in the 533, 535, or 537 series. These had some serious teething pains, drawing many complaints, one of the reasons the 557 got a significant internal redesign. If you opt to get a new recorder instead of replacing the disc drive in your old MDR513, go for the newest MDR557 (unless you can still find an older "new old stock" 513 or 515 at a decent price).

Amazon stock of the MDR557 comes and goes, you'll probably find it easier on the WalMart website, and WalMart offers a more liberal return policy anyway (pretty much infinite). WalMart whim is sole reason the Magnavox continues to exist, so they have a lot of clout with the mfr regarding returns: even if you don't like WalMart, they're probably the best source for Magnavox recorders.

Note while the MDR557 is a safer bet than the 533, 535 or 537, it still isn't quite as rugged as your old MDR513. If I were you., I'd seriously consider simply buying the $68 replacement DVD drive for it. If you aren't comfortable installing the new drive, chat up a friend or relative who's a computer geek. It isn't very difficult.

Thanks orsetto for recommending to stay clear of the other models. I will certainly go with your recommendation. I will look at WalMart though I do not normally buy from them.

As for getting someone to do the drive swap you may be surprised how many people I know who either replace their PC completely when something is wrong or needs updating, or hire professionals to do it for them. If it was as "simple" as unplugging ESATA and power supply cables I might (if I was feeling brave) try it. But the instructions I looked through had a lot of steps in them so I'm sure I would likely not know what I was doing if I did try it.

[Novice20]

Is there any difference between the 557 with the Magnavox label on it and the 557 on which Funai puts its own name? There is a significant difference in the price between them. Unless there is something special that Funai put into the model with their label on it, I'll go for the less expensive Mag labelled model.

Thank you for your advice on this.

[usually_quiet]

Is there any difference between the 557 with the Magnavox label on it and the 557 on which Funai puts its own name? There is a significant difference in the price between them. Unless there is something special that Funai put into the model with their label on it, I'll go for the less expensive Mag labelled model.

Thank you for your advice on this.

They are the same item. If you look carefully you will see that the Magnavox-branded listing is actually sold by Walmart, but the Funai-branded listing is being sold by a third party, Beach Audio, which accounts for the difference in price.

[Novice20]

Thank you usually_quiet for once again helping me.

By the way, Walmart is selling both units, with the different prices, on their website.

[Novice20]

One more quick questions: Can I stack the 557 on top of my 513 which I still have? Or do they both need air venting on top. (Yes - I heard that the 557 can't distinguish its remote control commands from the 513's commands but that's another issue - maybe I'll put something in between to narrow the already very narrow RC IR range).

[usually_quiet]

Thank you usually_quiet for once again helping me.

By the way, Walmart is selling both units, with the different prices, on their website.

Walmart allows others to list items on their website as "Marketplace Retailers". This is the link for listing I mentioned for the "Funai" recorder, which you will notice is on Walmart's website: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Funai-MDR557H-F7-1tb-Hdd-Dvd-Recorder-W-digital-Tuner-1080p-...utput/42511397 If there is another listing for the "Funai" 557 recorder at Walmart's website, I did not find it.

If you look at who is selling the item (located under the "Add to Registry" button), it is Beach Audio.

[usually_quiet]

One more quick questions: Can I stack the 557 on top of my 513 which I still have? Or do they both need air venting on top. (Yes - I heard that the 557 can't distinguish its remote control commands from the 513's commands but that's another issue - maybe I'll put something in between to narrow the already very narrow RC IR range).

Don't stack electronics on top of each other unless you want them to overheat.

[Novice20]

Thank you once - no, twice - again usually_quiet for your two replies.

[orsetto]

Is there any difference between the 557 with the Magnavox label on it and the 557 on which Funai puts its own name? There is a significant difference in the price between them. Unless there is something special that Funai put into the model with their label on it, I'll go for the less expensive Mag labelled model.

Thats actually rather fascinating, that a Funai-branded version of the Magnavox 557 turned up online! Up until now, Funai has rarely ever marketed a recorder under their own name in USA, whenever they did it was strictly a DVD/VHS combo. AFAIK, their deal with Wal*Mart for the HDD models was strictly with the Magnavox branding. Given the confusing mess these two corporate giants have made regarding the HDD units the past three years, it wouldn't surprise me if Funai is hedging its bets in case they have another falling out over sales projections.

In any case, usually_quiet is correct, they're exactly the same unit. The 557 model isn't known to be a paragon of reliability, so I'd caution against buying it under the Funai brand from a "grey"-oriented dealer like Beach. You'd be safer with Wal*Mart's "whenever, whatever" unlimited return policy, and at the moment Wal*Mart has the cheapest deal going (during the Christmas holidays six months ago, they were selling the damned thing for nearly $400, so the current $268 is quite a drop).

One more quick questions: Can I stack the 557 on top of my 513 which I still have? Or do they both need air venting on top. (Yes - I heard that the 557 can't distinguish its remote control commands from the 513's commands but that's another issue - maybe I'll put something in between to narrow the already very narrow RC IR range).

Ideally, you shouldn't stack electronics directly on top of each other. In practical use, nearly everybody does it, with relatively few drawbacks. I personally have a stack of four Pioneer DVD/HDD recorders on top of three VCRs. They get notably warmer during the summer, but don't seem to have suffered in this configuration over the past six years. I do maintain free space around the stack, esp in the back where the exhaust fans are.

My gear rack is a Metro shelving unit, like you see in restaurant kitchens, with wire grid shelves that are open on all four sides. I would NOT stack my electronics this way in a closed wooden cabinet: the heat concentration and lack of airflow would be much riskier. The Magnavox units have efficient fans, and are fairly impervious to overheating: most of my friends/family are terrible about blocking the vents and fans on theirs. If overworked, the Magnavox fan bearings will wear down and get very noisy. So make sure to leave at least 3 inches clearance in back, and try not to block the side intake vent: it needs at least an inch of clearance. Stacking two 557s should be fine as long as you're careful about placement (don't put them directly on top of a big CRT television, etc).

[usually_quiet]

Thats actually rather fascinating, that a Funai-branded version of the Magnavox 557 turned up online! Up until now, Funai has rarely ever marketed a recorder under their own name in USA, whenever they did it was strictly a DVD/VHS combo. AFAIK, their deal with Wal*Mart for the HDD models was strictly with the Magnavox branding. Given the confusing mess these two corporate giants have made regarding the HDD units the past three years, it wouldn't surprise me if Funai is hedging its bets in case they have another falling out over sales projections.

I find this theory questionable. If you go to Beach Audio's website and look at their picture of the item, the "Magnavox" name is clearly visible. http://www.beachaudio.com/Funai/Mdr557h-F7-p-744291.html If you read the review posted in the listing for the "Funai" recorder on Walmart's website, the reviewer mentions that the box it comes in says "Magnavox".

[newpball]

They can't even spell 'hours' right:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Funai-MDR557H-F7-1tb-Hdd-Dvd-Recorder-W-digital-Tuner-1080p-...ype=10&veh=aff