Magnavox HDD/DVD Recorder (Black)..
Buy Magnavox HDD/DVD Recorder (Black) By Magnavox
Most helpful customer reviews
233 of 240 people found the following review helpful.
8th Generation Magnavox HDD/DVD Recorder
By wajo
The MDR535H/F7 is one of three in the 53x Series... 533 and 537 are the others. This 535 has a 500GB HDD while the others have 320GB and 1000GB (1TB) HDDs.
More info at avsforum.com > Forums > Video Components > DVD Recorders > Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Mag 533/535/537 (53x) Series is the 8th, and possibly final, generation of simple, family-friendly, durable, std def (SD, 480i) analog/digital DVD recorders (DVDR) with hard disk drive (HDD) that are yearly improvements of the same basic design and operating system.
They're the ONLY recorders, SD or HD (720/1080), available for daily use in North America with:
-NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners for antenna or cable.
-Easily replaceable/upgradeable/expandable hard-disk drive (HDD).
-Easily replaceable DVD drive for burning/playing DVD discs.
-Widescreen (16:9) recording.
-Amplified coax passthru w/unit on or off.
-Amplified coax and line inputs.
-DV input.
-Coax digital audio out.
-1080p HDMI upconvert.
-36 timer-rec programs.
-6-hour autorecord buffer.
-Pause & rewind live TV.
-Chase play.
-Skip/replay.
-Simultaneous play/record.
-Record while watching diff. channel on TV via coax passthru.
-Integrated TV/DVDR control via HDMI CEC-link.
-1-2 hour power backup, dep. on whether Auto Clock is off or on.
-Simple editing for your archive copies or home movies.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FOR NEWCOMERS TO DVDRs OR THIS BRAND OF DVDR
The 53x Series are standalone units that can record from antenna or cable coax. They also have line inputs so they can record from cable boxes and satellite receivers or copy from VCRs, DVRs, cameras and camcorders.
They're so easy to use they can be operated by the entire family, from kids to timeshifters to gearheads.
Timeshifters can reliably record a bunch of named shows, unattended and with NO tapes or discs.
Gearheads can upgrade their HDD or create an "HDD farm" of multiple 2.5" and 3.5" external (E-SATA) HDDs with unlimited storage, <1-min. drive swapout, HDD portability, and external power for less internal heat and stress.
The DVD burner is also DIY replaceable with a ~$70 OEM unit.
For the past 5 years, this same HDD/DVD recorder design has proven to be a simple and reliable way to record your daily and weekly shows on analog or digital channels, completely unattended, so you can go on a long vacation or business trip and you'll never touch a disc!
It's the only device you'll need to copy your family's home movies or your DVR recordings to a stand-alone, no-monthly-fee HDD, where you can edit or not, then high-speed dub to DVDs for a perfect mirror-image of the original. You can also record/copy direct to DVD, if you prefer.
If you get your TV signal via OTA antenna, you won't need a digital converter box wherever you've got one of these.
Fair warning: The HDD will spoil you rotten!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FOR OWNERS OF PREVIOUS MODELS
If you looked at or have one of the previous models in the Philips or Mag HDD/DVD series, you might only need to know that, with the 53x Series, Funai is basically only satisfying a "Primary Wish": KEEP MAKING THE MDR515!.
The 53x Manual reads virtually the same as the 515 manual, except they now show 999 titles possible on the HDD instead of 600.
One major disappointment, other than the fact that the MDR53x Series doesn't add any new capabilities, is that the remote still operates the older Mag HDD/DVD recorders, the 2080, 2160, 2160A, 513 and 515. Users of multiple Mag machines will still have to use barriers to operate a single machine.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ERRORS, OMISSIONS AND MISLEADS STILL IN THE MANUAL
Be aware that the 53x manual STILL has several important errors, omissions, and misleads.
Three of the worst are:
1. WRONG - SETTING THIS DVDR UP BEHIND A CABLE BOX, pg 19.
Makes this DVDR a "slave" to the box! It should be 1st on the incoming cable coax unless you order PPV/VOD thru the box... only then do you need a 2-way splitter on the incoming coax. The coax circuit on this DVDR passes the raw signal thru to the box, so this DVDR can "pick off" (record) ANY unscrambled channel in the signal. It should NEVER be behind a cable box where it can only record the channel the box is tuned to... EVEN IF ALL YOUR CABLE CHANNELS ARE SCRAMBLED (makes no diff.). Of course, you must do an Auto Channel Preset > Cable (Analog/Digital) to make sure your DVDR sees and memorizes the unscrambled channels (if any).
2. OMITTED - MAKING FRONT- AND END-CUTS IN EDIT, Pp 93-94.
Frustrates many new users! In the Scene Delete menu, only REW stops on 1st frame and only PLAY and FF stop on last frame. 2160, 2160A and 513 also had a totally confusing and unnecessary auto-Preview after an End Cut that should be IGNORED. At least the 53x Series doesn't have the confusing auto-preview!
3. MISLEADING - RECORDING 16:9 WIDESCREEN AS 4:3, pg 45.
This half-truth has caused more misunderstanding than almost anything else in the manual. It's a "deep" technical subject that didn't need to be there! It HAS TO record a 4:3 aspect pic FRAME because the DVD Std was built on the old 4:3 VHS Std, but the DVD std allows a combo of square/non-square pixels, variable horiz. rez, compression and decompression within that 4:3 frame. THAT'S what allows your HDTV to stretch the "non-square" (rectangular) pixels of a WS image inside that 4:3 frame to natural 16:9 WS aspect. You just need to set this DVDR's Video > TV Aspect to "16:9 Wide" and your HDTV on its "Wide" aspect setting. However, this DVDR's DEFAULT setting for aspect ratio is "4:3 Letter Box" so you have to change that to 16:9 Wide during setup or none of your recordings will be 16:9 WS!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
More info at avsforum.com > Forums > Video Components > DVD Recorders > Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Disclaimer: I have never represented or worked for Funai or any seller in any capacity... and currently don't work for anyone else! -:)
107 of 111 people found the following review helpful.
Great DVR for Off-Air Antenna Use - Cut the Cable Now!
By C. White
This DVR provides the functionality of a DIgital Video Recorder (DVR) for off-air TV with no ongoing cost for cable, satellite, or TiVo. The only basic drawback is that setting up a recording schedule is like with the old VCR's - you look up the schedule yourself of the program (TV Guide has a free App for the schedules on your tablet or smart phone); set the time and channel; and label the recording using the remote.
This DVR seems fully as sensitive as my TV's in finding and programming in the stations available in my area. And the DVR provides a loop out of the RF antenna signal for the TV set if your set can receive digital TV (meaning the set is not much older than 10 years old). It has an HDMI output, component HD outputs, and even the old standard S-Video and old style analog video along with Stereo audio and a digital audio output.
If you view the TV through the DVR as the receiving device, you can stop, back-up, and fast forward (up to present) live video. You can use your TV to watch live video with its own tuner and record another channel with the DVR. If you record video in HQ (highest quality, but it takes more space on the DVR) the recordings appear to be in HIgh Definition that looks about the same to me on my TV as watching them live.
This device also allows you to record either live, or from a program previously recorded on the hard drive; to a recordable DVD which can be played in the DVR or in another DVD player. This will be at standard DVD resolution however, not HD.
In my opinion the only real negative is that the device could really use an Ethernet port so you could access your recordings from your computer or play Internet sourced video. However, for the price I am very satisfied with what I have. I was so impressed I ordered a second unit for the bedroom. A very minor issue is that the remote button layout is a bit cluttered.
Reccomendation regarding reliability:
I am a retired electronic engineer. The hotter and the more complex the electronics the more likely the device from any maker is to fail. You cannot help that modern electronics are complex, but you can make sure they have adequate ventilation so they do not overheat and prematurely die:
(1) Open up the back of your TV or stereo cabinet where the electronics are located so they can get ventilation. I drill several 2 or 3 inch diameter holes to provide ventilation - you cannot see them from the front, so go ahead and "Swiss-cheese" the inside back of the cabinet. It's best to do this when the wife isn't around and be sure to vacuum up the shavings before she gets back.
(2) Do not stack electronics directly on top of each other - use a couple of wood 1x2's or even better 1" square metal tubes to provide at least 3/4 inches vertical spacing when electronic components are stacked. Locate these spacers front to back for best air flow, toward the edges so the feet rest on them.
(3) Orgainize your cables and wiring neatly - at least going into and out of the shelves where the electronics are located. A bundle or two of wires leaves more space for air flow in and out of the cabinet than a tangle of wires and cables.
Cutting the Cable or Satellite Cord
I have been disgusted by the ongoing and periodic disputes between the networks and local TV stations and Satellite and Cable Companies that results in losing a favorite network station during these disputes. There is a relatively simple and ultimately MUCH CHEAPER solution - I hooked up an off-air antenna in my attic (with amplifier) and used the existing cable feeds in the attic to feed my TV's. That gives me all the broadcast HDTV networks plus each has 2 or 3 lower definition channels usually with older syndicated shows or movies. And, digital broadcast TV is not at all like the old style broadcast TV. Off-air comes in perfectly with no snow or static. The HDTV network picture is actually slightly better than off of cable or satellite. Most of the missing programs that my wife and I enjoy from HGTV, History Channel, and Discovery are available via Internet - such as from Amazon Prime for free. The only remaining niche in cutting the cable was a DVR for off-air broadcasts that does not require a subscription. This DVR fills that need perfectly!
Update:
After using this for several months I have noticed two minor but slightly annoying issues:
(1) When I am watching a previously recorded program from the hard drive and the DVR is also recording off the air at the same time, there are occasional slight pauses in the program I am watching.
(2) I have noticed that the audio is slightly out of sync with the video in playing back the video. It wasn't obvious at first.
Cutting the cable:
I have not regretted cutting the cable - Every month I save about $60!
I am not affiliated with Magnavox, Amazon, Funai or any other company. I am a recently retired electronic engineer
61 of 63 people found the following review helpful.Digital/Analog recording without a fee
By Truly Oregon
We had been using a Panasonic DVR for several years. When new, the recorder was great, including the VCR-DVD portion which I used to convert old VHS home movies. However it soon became a pain because it would freeze-up and required constant rebooting. Finding a suitable replacement seemed difficult until I discovered the Magnavox.
Having Googled through various brands, I decided to go with the Magnavox because it: a-had both analog and digital tuners; b-recorded via hard drive and DVD; c-would begin scheduled recording while we were watching a previously recorded program. These were options that were definitely important to us.
What we didn't anticipate were some other features that are impressive, like placing a hold on scheduled recordings without having to cancel them (going on vacation), quick deleting of selected programs, and very intuitive remote with great features such as the "skip" forward or "Skip back."
Picture quality on digital side with HDMI cable yields a great picture on our Panasonic Plasma.
There are other features which we haven't had time to enjoy but will investigate later.
Ordered it through Wal-Mart on-line ($249) with free delivery to our local store. Had a two-week estimated delivery but was available within four days, probably because a Wal-Mart distribution center was only a day's drive from us. Walked in to the store's pick-up counter and was out within a couple minutes.
UPDATE 2/20/2013
Have discovered a problem but haven't contacted Magnavox yet. If the DVDR is in the midst of recording a program when I select the DVDR input on my TV, and I then initiate playback of an older recording, there is no audio with either the recording or the program that's being recorded. However, if I'm already playing a previously recorded program prior to when a programmed recording begins recording, the audio is remains OK.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar