The new & low priced Digital DVD reocrders (not DVRs).
Old Movie Fan
survey I just did, only one in three responded that their unit has a
commercial skip function, allowing them to skip through the ads. Most
need to use the fast forward. That's too bad.
Ever since I bought a flat screen television, I realized that my
analog recorders were not capable of recording any of these additional
digital channels and of course, it could not record any in high
definition. I find myself with an awful choice. Watch the high
definition with commercials or record that standard 4 X 3 program and
watch it without commercials. I didn't like either choice.
This (low priced), Magnavox digital video disc recorder will do
exactly that, and it records all analog channels as well. The cost is
less than $125.00. Amazing value for cutting edge, electronic
equipment, but it's very difficult to use.
This digital recorder features a 30 second "CM SKIP" function that can
be pushed repeatedly to advance as much as three minutes at a time and
it also has a fast forward function.
Unlike my older Panasonic DVD recorder (which really skips a minute
each time it's pressed), this isn't actually a skip, but a controlled
fast forward feature.
All picture quality recorded on the Magnavox is somewhat enhanced
since it's supposed to upgrade the signal for broadcast on digital
televisions.
Unfortunately, editing out commercials with this before watching is
both time consuming and not a straight forward process.
I've actually tried dubbing the recording from this recorder into my
older analog recorder. The result was a squeezed 16 X 9 image in a 4 X
3 space. I would then be able to make an edited copy on a DVD-R
(something I cannot do with the Magnavox recorder).
Selecting wide-screen when viewing the analog recorder image on my LCD
television (which stretches normal images), returned this to a full wide
screen on my set. Since I had removed the ads, it was also commercial
free.
Finally.
I really don't know about any other digital DVD recorders that are
sold today? If there are any, I imagine they start at about $300.00.
Rich Wagner
Bill Cohn
format it is not recording in HD it is lowering the resolution to make
the recording. DVDs do not have enough space/Gigabytes to record HD. You
would need a Blue Ray recorder.
I have a JVC DVD recorder/VCR (DR MV-100B)with a digital tuner it can
record the HD programs but it will reduce the resolution on the
recording. It does up convert back to HD on the HDMI output during
playback but the resolution is lost during the recording process.
Regards,
Bill Cohn
Old Movie Fan
definition (regardless how it's viewed), and also that I cannot dub the
recorded signal (in an enhanced image) to a standard DVD player. All I
did was broadcast the 16 X 9 image in standard definition to the older
recorder. The only result was that I could see the full image,
something that was impossible to do before.
It does produce a 525i image when I play the Magnavox recording as
compared to the 720 or 1080 you can receive over the air.
The image looks far better than any standard definition signal
(digital or analog), and with my 720i, 32" it's very hard to see the
difference between the recorded signal and the broadcast signal I
receive. It might be slightly darker.
The image is superior to my best playback with my Panasonic (analog)
DVD recorder.
It's not Blu ray, but what else is?
Could you tell me something abut the price and ease of operation with
your JVC? The Magnavox is much more difficult to work with than my
Panasonic.
Do you know of other devices on the market to buy that records the 16 X
9 broadcasts?
Rich Wagner
Zane
dollars. The only catch is that it is only available online, from
Walmart dot com.
But it's an amazing machine. If your cable co transmits some of their
digital channels unencrypted, then the Maggy's QAM tuner will pick
them up. No more analog CBS, NBC, etc, you will get a clear digital
pic of all the OTA networks (altho they will be in SD, not HD).
Bill R
Target also sells it. By the way it is made by Funai; Magnavox just
puts their name on it.
I have one and I would not say that it is "amazing". I would rate it as
"good" compared to previous DVD recorders that I have owned. It has a
few software bugs that need to be addressed. The biggest one is that a
DVD can not be finalization when the timer is set.
If anyone is interested in buying one I recommend that you first read
the AVS.com forum on the Magnavox 2160.
--
Bill R.
e-mail address disguised to reduce spam
Patty Winter
In article <4a401f53$0$31885$d94e...@news.iglou.com>,
I'll check that forum when I get a chance (I'm pretty busy with
a seminar this week), but this sure sounds promising. I have a
Sony HDD/DVD recorder that I love, but they don't seem to make
them any more. I really like Sony's user interfaces; how's the
Magnavox? I have both cable and DirecTV, so have not been interested
in any system-specific DVR. One that I could feed with multiple
sources would be great. Then I could have one on both TVs.
This is it, right?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10104532
http://www.target.com/Magnavox-HDD-DVD-Recorder-H2160MW9/dp/B0020ZW8P8/
BTW, about finalizing the DVDs--do you mean that if you have a
weekly timer set, the unit can't finalize a DVD? Or do you mean
that you can't finalize a DVD while the HDD is recording from
a timer?
Patty
Bill R
Patty,
The interface is fairly user friendly but other than the PSIP guide
information (provided by OTA digital stations) there is not that nice TV
guide that the Sony has. But you can feed the recorder external signals
(like from you satellite receiver). It has two composite inputs and, as
mentioned a ATSC/QAM tuner. The finalize bug on the Maggie occurs if you
have ANY timers set. To me, it is a MAJOR bug which should be corrected
by the manufacturer. Those that have reported the bug have got mixed
messages on whether a fix is in the works.
By the way, I have the Sony DHG-HDD500 and you should be aware that if
you have that model or the HDD250 model, Sony has a software update that
should be installed to allow the TV Guide to continue to work with OTA
digital services.
Old Movie Fan
I can see from the responses that I should have checked around locally
before I bought this Magnavox, even if I only paid less than $125.00. I
still have time since I just got this last week.
It works, but I've been spoiled by a very user friendly analog DVD
recorder with a hard drive.
I'll use this one for recording digital stations, but if I ever want
to keep something, I'll dub it onto my Panasonic where editing our
commercials is very quick & simple to do.
With the Magnavox, you cannot even edit DVD-R discs, only RW discs.
Even then, editing takes way too much time.
The image on the DVD-R that I make will be squeezed, but will be
almost as sharp as before when I select wide screen during playback. At
least I can now watch a full 16 X 9 recording without stretching the
image.
With all the DVRs out there, few people are buying DVD recorders. You
don't see them advertized anywhere.
Rich Wagner
Bill R
Rich,
Magnavox does make a model with a 160 GB hard drive which is the one
that I have been writing about (I thought that is what you had). The
"original" model with a hard drive was the 2160 and the new model is the
2160A. That model does allow you to edit any disc (I usually save the
program to the hard drive, edit it and then burn it to a DVD but you can
burn, then edit DVDs).
I recommend that anyone buying a DVD recorder get a model with a hard
drive. As you mentioned, editing on a model without one is a PITA. :(
Patty Winter
In article <4a418501$0$31877$d94e...@news.iglou.com>,
Bill R <nospam_...@iglou.com> wrote:
>
>Magnavox does make a model with a 160 GB hard drive which is the one
>that I have been writing about (I thought that is what you had). The
>"original" model with a hard drive was the 2160 and the new model is the
>2160A. That model does allow you to edit any disc (I usually save the
>program to the hard drive, edit it and then burn it to a DVD but you can
>burn, then edit DVDs).
I don't care about editing discs, but does this machine make it
difficult to edit files on the HD? Also, the specs on the Target
website say that it only has one record speed (SLP); is that really
true? Sure doesn't makes sense to me. Sony, where are you when we
need you??!!
BTW, the model number from Target is H2160MW9. I can't find a
Magnavox number on Walmart's site, just Walmart's order number.
Patty
Bill R
Patty,
Yes, editing programs on the hard drive is very easy. Going from a VCR
to a hard drive recorder is somewhat of a learning curve (because you
can edit) but not much harder than going from cable to satellite.
The specs on Target's site are wrong (they got the model number right).
It can record to the hard drive (or directly to DVDs) at SP (2 hours),
SPP (2.5 hours), LP (3 hours), EP (4 hours), and SLP (6 hours).
Old Movie Fan
>Magnavox does make a model with a 160 GB
> hard drive which is the one that I have been
> writing about (I thought that is what you had).
> The "original" model with a hard drive was the
> 2160 and the new model is the 2160A. That
> model does allow you to edit any disc (I
> usually save the program to the hard drive,
> edit it and then burn it to a DVD but you can
> burn, then edit DVDs).
>I recommend that anyone buying a DVD
> recorder get a model with a hard drive. As
> you mentioned, editing on a model without
> one is a PITA. :(
>Bill R.
I completely agree, a DVD recorder with a hard drive is the only way
to go for your primary machine. They are (at least my Panasonic is),
very user friendly, and editing or indexing are very simple to do. I
own two of these 'analog' DVD recorders and I use them every day, not
just for recording television. Editing and camcorder video editing are
hobbies of mine.
This Magnavox most likely will primarily be used only for recording
the high definition programs which will seldom be saved. This unit has
no hard drive (it doesn't even have a clock display unless you go to
'Setup'). It only allows editing if you're using an RW disc.
The cost of the disc (about a dollar today), isn't the problem. Every
single instruction for editing concludes with the words, "This operation
may take a while to be completed." I tried it and they're not kidding.
At least it has a commercial skip.
I am saving a commercial free, wide screen copy of the ABC mini
series, "Impact" (it ends this Sunday). It only a matter of dubbing the
squeezed image into my Panasonic where the editing is a snap and then I
can make a copy with a DVD-R. Picture quality played back in 16 X 9 is
just about identical to what I see on the Magnavox.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm still sorting this out in my mind.
Patty Winter
In article <4a422bf8$0$31880$d94e...@news.iglou.com>,
Bill R <nospam_...@iglou.com> wrote:
>
>Yes, editing programs on the hard drive is very easy. Going from a VCR
>to a hard drive recorder is somewhat of a learning curve (because you
>can edit) but not much harder than going from cable to satellite.
Didn't seem like much of a learning curve to me, but then, Sony has
very good user interfaces. Wish they hadn't stopped making HDD/DVRs. :-(
>The specs on Target's site are wrong (they got the model number right).
> It can record to the hard drive (or directly to DVDs) at SP (2 hours),
>SPP (2.5 hours), LP (3 hours), EP (4 hours), and SLP (6 hours).
Ah, that's better. Thanks, Bill.
Patty
Cathy B.
>BTW, the model number from Target is
> H2160MW9.
Bill R. wrote:
>The specs on Target's site are wrong
> (they got the model number right). It can
> record to the hard drive (or directly to
> DVDs) at SP (2 hours), SPP (2.5 hours),
> LP (3 hours), EP (4 hours), and SLP (6
> hours).
What about HQ recording mode (1 hr.)? I have the Magnavox 2080 HDD/DVD
80 GB recorder (no longer available, I believe), and it records in HQ
mode.
I am using the 2080 with an analog TV and love it. But I was forced to
buy my first high definition TV a few weeks ago, and now I am
considering also buying the 2160 to use with that TV, seeing as it has
the HDMI and upconversion features.
Can someone who owns the 2160 and uses it with a high definition TV
explain to me how the upconversion works? Does it just upconvert
commercial non-Blu-Ray DVDs or does it also upconvert recordings played
back from the HDD and/or self-made DVDs? I know all these
Philips/Magnavox HDD/DVD recorders only record in standard definition,
but is there upconversion on playback? And how satisfied are you with
the picture quality of your recordings on your high definition TV sets?
Also, the 2080 that I have only records in 4:3 format. Does the 2160
record in 16:9?
I tried to look up this information on AVSForums, but I found the way it
was written confusing, so any help would be appreciated.
Cathy B., new to this high-def stuff
Bill R
> Patty Winter wrote regarding the Magnavox 2160 HDD/DVD recorder :
>
>> BTW, the model number from Target is
>> H2160MW9.
>
> Bill R. wrote:
>
>> The specs on Target's site are wrong
>> (they got the model number right). It can
>> record to the hard drive (or directly to
>> DVDs) at SP (2 hours), SPP (2.5 hours),
>> LP (3 hours), EP (4 hours), and SLP (6
>> hours).
>
> What about HQ recording mode (1 hr.)? I have the Magnavox 2080 HDD/DVD
> 80 GB recorder (no longer available, I believe), and it records in HQ
> mode.
>
Woops! Sorry Cathy, I forgot to list it. The 2160 does have HQ (1 hour)
mode.
> I am using the 2080 with an analog TV and love it. But I was forced to
> buy my first high definition TV a few weeks ago, and now I am
> considering also buying the 2160 to use with that TV, seeing as it has
> the HDMI and upconversion features.
>
> Can someone who owns the 2160 and uses it with a high definition TV
> explain to me how the upconversion works? Does it just upconvert
> commercial non-Blu-Ray DVDs or does it also upconvert recordings played
> back from the HDD and/or self-made DVDs? I know all these
> Philips/Magnavox HDD/DVD recorders only record in standard definition,
> but is there upconversion on playback? And how satisfied are you with
> the picture quality of your recordings on your high definition TV sets?
>
> Also, the 2080 that I have only records in 4:3 format. Does the 2160
> record in 16:9?
>
> I tried to look up this information on AVSForums, but I found the way it
> was written confusing, so any help would be appreciated.
>
> Cathy B., new to this high-def stuff
>
Cathy,
The "up conversion" works just as you would expect it to. It plays 4:3
DVDs in 16:9 on your HDTV. The 2160 can NOT pay Blu-Ray DVDs (it is SD
only). The unconverted picture on DVD commercial DVDs is very good but
not near HD quality. SD recorders (including the 2160) record in 4:3
but, as I mentioned, play back in 16:9 IF you use the HDMI output and
have the 2160 set up to do that.
Cathy B.
>The "up conversion" works just as you
> would expect it to.
I know nothing about upconversion, so I have no expectations. LOL
>It plays 4:3 DVDs in 16:9 on your HDTV.
That's good news.
>The 2160 can NOT pay Blu-Ray DVDs >(it is SD only).
Believe it or not, that I DID know. LOL
>The unconverted picture on
> DVD commercial DVDs is very good but
> not near HD quality. SD recorders
> (including the 2160) record in 4:3 but, as
> I mentioned, play back in 16:9 IF you
> use the HDMI output and have the 2160
> set up to do that.
But is the playback of the HDD recordings upconverted also (even though
recorded in SD)?
Thanks for your help with this matter, Bill.
Cathy B.
Bill R
>
> But is the playback of the HDD recordings upconverted also (even though
> recorded in SD)?
>
> Thanks for your help with this matter, Bill.
>
> Cathy B.
>
Cathy,
If you are asking if the hard disk drive (HDD) recordings are
unconverted, yes they are.
UCLAN
> Bill R. wrote regarding the Magnavox 2160 HDD/DVD recorder:
>>The 2160 can NOT pay Blu-Ray DVDs >(it is SD only).
>
> Believe it or not, that I DID know. LOL
Bill R. should *know* that there is no such thing as Blu-ray DVDs. They
are *either* DVDs, or they are BDs (Blu-ray discs.) Not both. ;)
Cathy B.
>If you are asking if the hard disk drive
> (HDD) recordings are unconverted, yes
> they are.
Yes, that indeed was what I was asking--oh, wait, I assume you mean
UPconverted and not UNconverted! That's great news if you did. I think
I might have to buy one then.
Now I have to go eat crow and tell a friend of mine that he was right
about this.
Cathy B.
Cathy B.
>Bill R. should *know* that there is no
> such thing as Blu-ray DVDs. They are
> *either* DVDs, or they are BDs (Blu-ray
> discs.) Not both. ;)
Okay, THAT I didn't know--guess I should have read that thread in the
hdtv group. Now I know what they were talking about in my high def TV
manual. Duh. Well, like I said before, I am just getting into the high
definition stuff. Thanks for the info.
Cathy B.
Bill R
Yes. The UN was a typo, I meant UP (converted).
TJ
be in for a disappointment when you start seeing every wrinkle and flaw
in the faces of your favorite stars. If you don't believe me, take a
look at some Doonesbury archives. There was a series recently about how
Roland Hedley was in danger of being fired, simply because of how his
facial flaws showed in high-def. I'm sure it was meant to be funny, but
to me it was anything but.
As far as HD goes for me, I'd just as soon preserve my illusions. I do
not watch TV to see reality, for there's not much of that there. I watch
TV for a few minutes of rest from reality. There are times when that's
all that keeps me sane.
TJ
Patty Winter
In article <h324sg$jl$1...@news.eternal-september.org>,
TJ <T...@noneofyour.business> wrote:
>>
>Cathy, you shouldn't worry about that HD stuff so much. You'll probably
>be in for a disappointment when you start seeing every wrinkle and flaw
>in the faces of your favorite stars.
On the other hand, I'll bet the HD coverage is going to be spectacular
when the Tour de France gets to the mountains, and I'm trying to figure
out which friend I can visit to see the upcoming Ken Burns national
parks series in HD. :-)
Patty
Cathy B.
>As far as HD goes for me, I'd just as
> soon preserve my illusions. I do not
> watch TV to see reality, for there's not
> much of that there. I watch TV for a few
> minutes of rest from reality. There are
> times when that's all that keeps me
> sane.
I really didn't want to buy any high definition televisions, to be
honest with you. I had spent over a year researching the digital
transition, converter boxes, and all the related stuff because I had 4
analog TVs in the house and was on my own in figuring out what to do to
get ready for the transition. And I was one of those people talked
about in this group who prior to the transition had been putting up with
really crappy analog reception due to complete ignorance about how to
improve things.
OTA digital via converter box or the digital tuner on my HDD/DVD
recorder was a HUGE improvement for me over OTA analog and I was quite
thrilled with it, even though it was standard definition.
But my 27" analog TV died a few months after I installed a converter box
on it. And I had to replace the small B&W TV in the kitchen, and high
definition seemed to be the best way to go. A 27" SD tube TV was too
large and cumbersome for me to deal with, and a 13" SD tube TV would be
too big for the kitchen table.
So I bought a couple of high definition TVs, and now SD in 4:3 isn't
looking quite so pretty to me any more. The high definition really does
spoil you. Resist as long as you can. ;-)
Cathy B., who has HD downstairs and SD upstairs