UPDATE: SINCE I WROTE THIS REVIEW THE ITEM DESCRIPTION INCLUDING THE MANUFACTURER HAS CHANGED AND THE refurbished MODEL ATTACHED TO THIS REVIEW DOES NOT HAVE A TUNER ON IT. A refurbished VCR - DVDr combo with a tuner that appears to be the newer version of my model (which is still working great a year later) can be found here : Magnavox ZV457MG9 Dual Deck DVD/VCR Recorder
I bought this after returning a similarly-priced tunerless player-only combo product made by Samsung. That one would only output VHS over the composite line. No component. No HDMI. Apparently some upscaling or signal processing is involved in making the VHS play over those outputs, but the Magnavox outputs VHS over all three types of cables. I don't need to use two inputs on my tv, and I don't need to find my tv remote to switch inputs if I want to watch a tape.
Picture quality is excellent for dvd, VHS, and the cable-box signal I'm running through the player. The VHS picture is not as good as dvd, but I didn't expect it to be. It's still a high quality four head VCR/VHS player that looks tons better than my now dead one from 2001.
I tested the recording functions, which I don't generally use, and they work great, even with cheap dvds. Set-up was easy, and I didn't have any trouble figuring out the remote.
The long and short of it is that I was able to replace my dead vcr at a reasonable price with something that suits my current needs and home entertainment configuration.
Please note that I ordered this model refurbished. The manual that came with it indicates that it is a class A. I recommend that you contact the seller to make sure that you're going to get the A model. Magnavox DVD Recorder/VCR Combo, HDMI 1080p Up-Conversion, No Tuner (Manufacturer Refurbished)
If you want to copy your tape to DVD and to use this DVD in other units, I sincerely suggest you not to buy this product. I have 3 DVD players at home: Panasonic, Element Electronics and Curtis, I cannot play any DVD I copied from this machine in these 3 units.
I followed the instruction P.27 using Sony and TDK DVD+R, P41-42 dubbing Process and P.44-45 Finalizing a Disc, but it did not work. After 6 times try and error, called customer service 3 times, they finally told me "We cannot guarantee the disk you copied can be used in other units."
I would definitely not recommend this product.
I, like most people, have always been skeptical of "remanufactured" products. However, this one is definitely worth the price (and then some).
I was in need of another combo unit when the one I had died and I hadn't transferred all tapes to DVD. I didn't really want to spend that much for a unit, but the "remanufactured" option was within the budget.
I have to say that this was money well spent. Not only to do you get a quality 4-head VHS player/recorder, but you also get a stunningly-versatile DVD player/burner. With 6 months of life left in my old combo unit, the VHS tapes played back with lines through the screen; hardly a quality you want when transferring tapes to DVD. Some of the tapes weren't even played that much, and sure "tape" over time will continue to degrade, but you should still get a decent picture from a tape in good condition. The 4-head VHS player brought the quality of the tape back to life.
Perhaps the best feature I'm crazed about is the DVD chapter editing feature. Of course when you record a program, chapters will automatically be added per your selected setting options (every 5...10...15min) from the menu; however, prior to finalizing your disc, you can review the chapter markers and edit them as you choose (add, move to new location or remove completely); something my old unit didn't do.
Finally, when I purchased this item, shipping was slated for at least 5-7 business days since it was coming from a third-party distributor. I ordered it on 1/25, it was shipped on 1/26 and I received it on 1/27 -- SWEET!! The shipping time enabled me to receive the unit, set it up, review the features and had me recording and dubbing by the weekend.
I just got this refurb model a few days ago and could not be happier. First, I like refurb units because it means someone had a problem with the unit when new, that now has been resolved. The one I got looks like a factory new model. The one touch dubbing is exactly what I was looking for. I have a lot of old home movies, TV shows, etc... on VHS. I pop in the tape, pop in the DVD ( I use DVD RW but this unit does R+ and R- as well)hit the dubbing button and come back in a few hours. The DVD copy actually looks cleaner than the VHS original. The DVD RW plays in every DVD player I've tried. I think the compatability problems others have talked about is because they didn't finalize the disc. With the DVD RW you don't have to finalize, with other formats you do. I got this unit for under $70 including shipping. The exact unit at a nearby store sells for $149. This is a solid machine that performs just as stated. I think you'll be happy with it. - Dvd Vhs Recorder - Vcr-dvd Combinations - Vhs To Dvd - Dvd Vcr Combo'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
