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

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 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.

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!