Magnavox ZC320MW8B Progressive Scan DVD±RW Recorder w/Line-in Recording

Purchased mainly to transfer old VHS tapes to DVD. Worked like a charm, although the user interface is poorly documented and often obscure. Initially, I would often be stuck where I couldn't get to desired menus, and was ending up turning off/on or ejecting/reinserting the disk. Solved this by hitting the Stop button between operations, even if the DVD was neither recording nor playing and there was no logical reason to do so. Can't beat the price. Excellent quality recording of cable broadcasts (non-HD) -- works with all the channels we get, although we don't subscribe to any premium channels. CONS - It is what it is: Only S-Video and RCA inputs and outputs; no tuner; no onboard display; no Hi-Def recording. - Slow operations, although not painfully so. Don't know if this may be typical for DVRs. - Poor user interface, complicated by the fact it has no display on-board (must navigate menus displayed on TV to figure out how the unit is set). PROS - It works! Bulletproof so far (have made a few tens of recordings). - Low price. - Indistinguishable from a new product. - High quality of recordings for what it is (although not high definition). Even with the clunky user interface, decided it deserved 5 stars because of its high value to cost --- it plain works, and paid for itself several times over compared with having a commercial service transfer my tapes, and I'm left with a DVD player/recorder to boot!

My Magnavox ZC320MW8B Progressive Scan DVD±RW Recorder w/Line-in Recording arrived on time and in good condition. This unit works great. There is no coaxial in the back. There is no clock in the front, but there is a clock internally so you can program your DVD recorder to turn on at a desired time slot. You can record on DVDs and set it to record in several speeds, from 1 hour up to 6 hours. In 1 hour mode you use up all of DVD space, so I tend to record everything in 6 hour mode. Your TV set needs to have a component hookup, otherwise this unit will not work because it does not have HDMI, AV(yellow, red, white RCA's), nor does it have coaxial. This is a great product. I like recording with DVDs, especially since the costs of VHS are rising and harder to find. I give this product a rating of 5 stars.

I ordered this DVD recorder through Amazon, from a company called Blue Donuts. It was advertised as being factory refurbished. Normally when something is refurbished, there's a sticker or a piece of paper or a notice in the Owner's Manual or SOMETHING that says so. There is absolutely no indication on the unit I recieved that it has been refurbished. Which, of course, makes me a little suspicious. For all I know, it might just be used, which is not at all what I wanted. It certainly *looks* used, what with scratches and chips and whatnot. On the positive side, it works. I played a DVD and I recorded a movie successfully. So I'm definitely happy about that. I'm keeping my eye on that 90-day warranty, though, just in case.

This is the second one of these that I bought and it works great. I do a lot of movie recordings and had to replace a very old recorder that finely gave up the ghost. One feature I really like is that in addition to the usual 2,4, and six hour record modes, it has 2.5 and 3 hours also. This means a movie that may run five or ten minutes longer than two hours doesn't have to be recorded in the four hour mode. In response to some of the negative reviews, I say know what you are buying ahead of time. Like most recorders sold today, it does not have a tuner which means you need a cable or satellite receiver or a digital converter. It doesn't record in HD. It's an inexpensive, basic, no-frills recorder. If that's all you need this should be just.

I purchased it for converting old VHS to DVD. It did exactly what I needed it to. You can set it to record and walk away. There are options to add chapters and titles to the DVD before you finalize it. The interface isn't as easy as computer software but that is to be expected when you are using a remote. It also has a handy auto-chapter feature. Basically, our VHS tapes have many different events on them. In between events there is usually some static or blank screen. The auto-chapter feature marks these as beginnings/ends of chapters. As far as video quality, there are several options. The higher quality options give less record time (e.g., 1 hr, 2hr, 2.5 hr, 3 hr...). I usually use the 2-2.5 hr options since our VHS tapes are under 2-2.5 hrs. Tapes are so low quality that you cannot tell the difference between the highest quality record mode and the 2-2.5hr modes. You can probably use even lower quality, I didn't because I wanted to convert 1 tape to 1 DVD. So you can probably get 2 tapes per DVD without loss of quality. Also, there have been no audio problems like I had with other methods I've tried. I use to have a connector and software to hook a VHS up to my computer. It was far more expensive and after recording I would go back and the audio would not match the video, usually about 45 minutes into the DVD (it lagged behind).

I returned this item, because it operated differently from the website description. The website lists one of the Product Features as Magnavox ZC320MW8B 1080p Upscaling DVD Recorder General Features: Sleek black color Region 1, but when I turned it on, the TV showed only 480 SD. There is a great difference between 480 SD and 1080 HD. Using the phrase 1080p upscaling is synonymous with High Definition within the mindset of any layperson. If 1080p is not equal to 1080 HD, why mention any 1080 ability except for the purpose of sneakily getting a sale no matter what! Then they do not send me a postage paid return label for giving them back their non 1080 recorder, but they email me the following, “PLEASE DO NOT PUT SHIPPING LABELS ON ORIGINAL ITEM BOX, PLEASE PUT THE ITEM BOX IN A SHIPPING BOX.” The only logical reason I could think of is that they will resend it out as new to the next sucker seeking to purchase a HD recorder! After shipping it back, these bums only refund me back $47.95, claiming a $12.00 restocking fee. I had to file an Amazon.com A-to-z Guarantee claim because the details or condition of the item was misrepresented. My comments were "Denying a complete refund- : -World distributors false advertised the dvd recorder as a 1080 device. The website lists one of the Product Features as Magnavox ZC320MW8B 1080p Upscaling DVD Recorder General Features: Sleek black color Region 1, but when I turn it on the tv shows only 480 SD. An average person seeing 1080 in the description will relate that to HDMI, not 480SD. Why am I being charged a restocking fee for worldwide's underhanded advertising practices? I want my full refund of $59.95!!! ". worldwide did not send me a return shipping label! I had to pay $16.36 for USPS charges & then have them charge me a $12 restocking fee!!! Why must I lose $28.36 for an item falsely advertised? I paid $59.95, explain why my refund is $47.95, instead of writing worthless statements about I have been reimbursed? Amazon.com. A-to-z Guarantee claim issued reimbursement for the $12.00 restocking fee, but I still wasted $16.36 on shipping!!! Do not waste your eyes on any item worldwide offers! They are probably a mom & pop business setup in their basement , attic, or garage!!!

I had been looking for a less expensive DVR and there are not very many out there for a person to choose from . I had a very good reason for not wanting to spend a fortune for my recorder . I hardly ever record anything , but once in a blue , blue moon i will decide in advance to record a program , or , event and this little unit works perfectly every time and i did not have to spend a lot of money . I would honestly recommend this unit for anyone who is on a budget and - or has very simple , uncomplicated recording needs .

Great product... I have recorded 2 dvd's from an old S-VHS camcorder. S-Video in works great. Instructions are a bit lacking and the user interface is really minimal and kinda hard to figure out. I still give this device 5 stars because of what you get for the price. If you need to get any old videos onto DVD, this thing will do the job. ***Update*** I have finished getting my videos onto DVD so I am no longer using the recorder... So, I won't be able to answer your questions as I have been able to in the past.