What's the best place to buy a dvd recorder?

[LCSHG]

You can pick it up or buy at any Wal Mart store and return it to any Wal Mart store
If you have no reciept but have the bar code to vaify purchase. They will give you a in store purchase card for the price and the LOCAL TAX, if any. It can be used in any store

[BrokenOne]

Ok today I went to Wal-Mart and bought a Magnavox ZC352MW8, because it was the cheapest they had and I needed to get a dvd recorder today to get some of my programs off my DVR for room/space.

So far I have been somewhat disappointed with the purchase. I have tested the image quality of the recording settings. Maybe it's because I am picky but the recordings on 1 hour and 2 hour are good. But I noticed macroblocks in both recording modes. I am going to try some new settings which I hope will cure it but it looks like I will be taking this back as soon as I can.

[jjeff]

Not surprising. Most DVDR's will record the 1 or 2 hr speed ok, but anything above that will crap out.
This is why I use Panny's. You'll get the full resolution up to 4hrs, but try and keep it under 3 hrs for less macroblocking. Note the current Panny offerings EZ-17-47 are VERY unreliable IMO. I would not consider them. Since you are just looking to backup your DVR you could wait for the EA-18 Panny. Hopefully ???? it will have all the bugs and quirks of the EZ line worked out, and it also does not have a tuner, which you do not need. Should be priced a little less than the EZ-17.
That or try and pickup a used (or Sams still has some new) ES-15 Panny. It has the analog tuner and is a few years old model. It should also work for your use, and at $99-129 it's a steal right now, if you can find one. I have several and they make great recordings via line inputs.

[lordsmurf]

Panasonic machines have the most noise of any DVD recorder out there, especially beyond 2 hours.

The best machine at the moment is the Philips 3575.

[BrokenOne]

The unit I picked up has a SDTV Tuner and there was the same unit with a digital tuner that was like 10 dollars more. My question is would that affect recording from my DVR?

The thing I noticed is the recording keeps the picture up front clear and nearly crisp but if you stray to the background you can see the macroblocking really badly. This is from recording an old episode of WWE RAW (which was back from February), incase anyone is wondering.

Lord, how much do the Phillip 3575's go for? I do think Wal-Mart had a few of these not to sure though. So I might exchange this one and try a Philips.

[oldandinthe way]

Site to store is an option, not a requirement. You can pay to have it shipped to your home.

Returns are accepted in the store. walmart.com has a good description of their return procedures.

For the larcenous out there - Walmart records and checks serial numbers.

[BrokenOne]

Can anyone tell me about the Philips DVDR3475/37 and Samsung DVD-R135? I saw both were advertised for the same price 119.00 but at two different places (Best Buy and Frys). Any help here will be greatly appreciate since I did not like the magnavox I picked up.

[edDV]

[quote="BrokenOne"]The unit I picked up has a SDTV Tuner and there was the same unit with a digital tuner that was like 10 dollars more. My question is would that affect recording from my DVR? [quote]

No.

If the digital tuner supports clear QAM, you can record unencrypted live channels direct off the cable. You can't access the DVR disc.

If the digital tuner supports ATSC only, it will only tune off an antenna.

[BrokenOne]

Thanks edDV for that info. Much appreciated.

[KeepItSimple]

Lord, how much do the Phillip 3575's go for? I do think Wal-Mart had a few of these not to sure though. So I might exchange this one and try a Philips.

The Philips Outlet website has refurb 3575's for $199 with free shipping.
www.outlet.philips.com

Or you could pay $288.54 for a new one at Wal Mart.

[Epicurus8a]

Check Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_18311901_13?ie=UTF8&node=1036920&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIK...f_rd_i=1065836

[LCSHG]

Epicurus8a

You seem to have a real hard nose for Wal-Mart. I don’t have a great love for them as I don’t have for any store.
Quite frankly I’m tired of providing benefits for others when it becomes a burden to even provide basic health care for myself, much less keep up with the increasing cost of living.
You quote Pulitzer Prize winners as thou they speak the absolute truth, and the Prominent Baptist Ministers on Health care. I don’t see them speaking to the lack of my or many peoples health care

Let me give an example
I needed a reasonably priced toolbox. I went to a local independent merchant who doesn’t pay employees better. They had a plastic one that wasn’t bad. It was a Name brand at $22.95
I went to the Wal-Mart store. They had the Very SAME, IN All RESPECTS, ToolBox but a different. Major Name Brand. The price was $8.95 [now $6.95] Both MADE IN CHINA

Now you tell me who’s the RIP OFF in this issue and I could give you many more including the price of groceries. Our Wal-Mart doesn’t have a large grocery selection and I really do hope it builds a super store.

I buy a lot at the Grocery Outlet where I can get the same item for $2.59 that costs $5.69 at the big-ticket grocery store.

PS
If you think Target or Amazon is any better. You live in a dream world

[Epicurus8a]

Wal-Mart = PERIOD!

[lordsmurf]

LCSHG, it all comes back to the inevitable reality that we're a world community. The era of financial/commercial isolationism is over, and some people can't deal with the notion that overcharging is not "better for Americans". I don't like our financial situation either, but attacking Wal-Mart has never struck me as a solution either.

The real problem is spineless wimps in other countries that allow themselves to be whored out at 10 cents per hour. Mix that with asshats millionaire CEO's, and you end up where we are now. Doesn't have a damned thing to do with Wal-Mart -- they're just one of many. In fact, I'd guess they're down the chart of "worst offenders".

We're importing a lot of foreign products. But I think we need to export some American balls -- there seems to be a definite lack of "cahones" in some places.

As a victim to the current financial screwjob, I have no problems buying Walmart, which stretches my dollars. I don't even mean for junk -- but to better supply myself with food, clothes and other needed items. If I'm lucky, I can afford a few out-to-eat dinners and a new DVD or two each month. Not this month, however, not after spending $200 on gas.