DVD Recorder Magnavox from Walmart....Is it worth it?

[budz]

Okay I have been out of the loop for a bit with DVD Recorders. My old Pioneer one died last year. Is this Magnavox model decent or not for the cost?
model number is Model#: MDR533H/F7.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-HDD-and-DVD-Recorder-with-Digital-Tuner-Choose-Your...city./20710260

I would appreciate any advice or tips! Thanks in advance! I did look at the threads in here bout DVD Recorders.

[sanlyn]

It's fair. Don't expect the same performance one could previously expect with earlier HDD models from Toshiba, Pioneer, Panasonic, etc. If you have an outboard VCR from a few years back, it'll play tapes better than the Magnavox (made by Funai). Besides, for new DVD recorders with HDD you don't have any other choice.

[jman98]

sanlyn seems confused as the model in the link contains no VCR.

You have no choice. Magnavox is the last manufacturer of DVD recorders in the USA/Canada. You might be interested to know that as Wal-Mart has an exclusive deal with Magnavox that both companies like to start rumors that Magnavox is going to pull out of the market, which drives up prices at Wal-Mart amidst panic buying, followed by an announcement that gosh, Magnavox guesses they can make a few more since there was so much demand. This cycle of
rumor -> raised prices -> panic buying -> no change
has been going on for years.

[usually_quiet]

I bought one of the previous generation Magnavox models with a 320 GB HDD. I wish it could dub to DVD+R DL, but otherwise I have been reasonably happy with it.

The new models are supposed to have fixed the problem with overly dark video that troubled all previous Magnavox DVD recorders, including the one I have, plus there is a 1 TB model. Otherwise their flaws and good features are identical with the previous generation.

[budz]

Hey! Thanks for all the replies! I'm going to go ahead and buy it for myself....birthday and Christmas present to myself! I just record stuff from Japanese station. I know it can't be compared to the older models from Pioneer & other manufacturers. I just need a simple dvd recorder nothing fancy. Thanks again!

[sanlyn]

sanlyn seems confused as the model in the link contains no VCR.

Yep, last time I looked the non-VHS unit had been discontinued. Now I see it's on the shelves again. Thanks for spotting that.

[handyguy]

Nice machine, I got it with 500 gig, 3 yr guarantee for $300.00

It records stuff in dvd resolution but it looks like hd.

[jjeff]

The new models are supposed to have fixed the problem with overly dark video that troubled all previous Magnavox DVD recorders, including the one I have, plus there is a 1 TB model. Otherwise their flaws and good features are identical with the previous generation.

If I knew this was true I might be interested in one myself. I've owned both the first generation Philips (3575), second generation Philips (3576) and 3rd generation(1st Magnavox generation, 2160) and all 3 had the dark video issue(only using the built in digital tuner, line input recordings were fine) but I don't think I've read a definitive answer as to whether the dark issue has been fixed. Note it's kind of hard to get a real feeling if it's been fixed because many(most?) people don't seem to see or experience the dark video so unless I saw a post of someone who actually owned a older model and saw the darkness and then purchased a newer model and said it was not dark, I'd be a little suspicious.