Magnavox Dvd Vhs Combo Recorder Reviews
This practical combo system from Magnavox combines a DVD Recorder with a 4-Head Hi-Fi Stereo VCR, making a great addition to your home entertainment center. With advanced video features like HDMI 1080p Up-Conversion along with progressive scan capability and satellite link recording, Magnavox ensures that you get the most for your money.
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The Rundown
- Best Overall:Sanyo FWZV475F DVD Recorder/VCR Combo at Amazon, “A ‘surviving’ DVD recorder/VHS VCR that is still available (and in big demand), but probably not for long.”
- Runner-Up, Best Overall:Funai ZV427FX4 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo at Amazon, “Compatible with DVDs/CDs/Kodak CD Picture Discs, and VHS tapes.”
- Alternative To Funai:Emerson ZV427EM5 at Amazon, “A clone of the Funai ZV427FX4.”
- Just The Basics:Funai Dual Deck DVD and VHS Player at Amazon, “Fortunately, being a basic player doesn’t mean skimping on every feature.”
- Best With Built-in Tuner:LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR Combination at Amazon, “The incorporation of an HDMI output and video upscaling function is a nice touch.”
- Honorable Mention:JVC DR-MV150B DVD Recorder/VCR Combination at Amazon, “A DVD Recorder/VCR combo that offers both good performance and a versatile feature package.”
- Best Record Mode Quality:Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVD Recorder/VCR Combo at Amazon, “Has the ability to record most DVD formats and play most DVD and CD formats.”
- Runner-Up, Best Record Mode Quality:Panasonic DMR-EA38VK at Amazon, “Has the ability to record most DVD formats and play most DVD and CD formats.”
- Honorable Mention:Samsung DVD-VR375 DVD Recorder - VCR Combination at Amazon, “Records to all five recordable formats DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+R/+RW and DVD-RAM.”
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Sanyo FWZV475F DVD Recorder/VCR Combo
The Sanyo FWZV475F is a 'surviving' DVD recorder/VHS VCR that is still available (and in big demand), but probably not for long. It will be listed here as long as it is available.
For DVD recording, the FWZV475F is compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW disc formats, which can be played back on most DVD players, and it also has the ability to both record and play VHS tapes. You can also dub from VHS-to-DVD or DVD-to-VHS, provided the content being dubbed is not copy-protected. For additional playback flexibility, the FWZV475F is compatible with DVDs/CDs/Kodak CD Picture Discs. Inputs include both composite and S-video (along with analog stereo audio).
In terms of video output capability, progressive scan is accommodated via the component video outputs and HDMI, and 1080p video upscaling via HDMI is possible when connected to a 1080p TV (720p upscaling is also possible for 720p TVs).
However, one thing that is important to point is that the FWZV475F does to have a built-in tuner. In order to record TV programs, you must connect a Cable/Satellite or DTV Converter Box. As supplies run out, it is possible that this unit may only be available refurbished or used.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Funai ZV427FX4 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo
DVD Recorders and DVD Recorder/VCR Combos are getting very hard to find, but the Funai ZV427FX4 is one that may still be available. This unit is tuner-less, which means that you need to connect an external tuner (such as a cable or satellite box) the unit's AV line inputs for recording TV programs to either DVD or VHS. On the other hand, if you have a digital camcorder, the unit also has a conveniently located front panel DV (firewire) input.
The Funai ZV427FX4 DVD recorder/VCR combo can record in the DVD-R and DVD-RW disc format, which is compatible for playback on most DVD players. Of course, you can still record and play VHS tapes. You can also dub from VHS-to-DVD or DVD-to-VHS, provided the content being dubbed is not copy-protected.
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For playback flexibility, the ZV427FX4 is compatible with DVDs/CDs/Kodak CD Picture Discs, and VHS tapes, as well as providing both progressive scans out via the component video outputs and HDMI, and 1080p video upscaling via HDMI.
It must be noted that, as with most DVD recorder/VCR combos, in order to record TV programs, you must connect a Cable/Satellite or DTV Converter Box to the ZV427FX4 as it does not have a built-in tuner.
Alternative To Funai: Emerson ZV427EM5
The Emerson ZV427EM5 is actually a clone of the Funai ZV427FX4 listed above (Emerson is a Funai Brand). This means that the features and capabilities of the Emerson are the same as the Funai.
However, we have included it on this list as an alternative choice if you like what the Funai ZV427FX4 offers, but if that unit is not in stock or no longer available. By the same token, if you desire the Emerson, and it is not available, and the Funai is, then go with the Funai.
Just The Basics: Funai Dual Deck DVD and VHS Player
Practical and basic, the Funai Dual Deck DVD and VHS combination gives you exactly what you paid for and not much more. Bringing old movies and home videos to life, the Funai adds basic VHS functionality. Connecting via a cable, satellite box, or directly to a TV, the player hooks up and plays back almost instantly. The included AV cable helps with any connection for easy setup. Line-in recording allows users to capture television programming on VHS tapes. Auto eject ensures that tapes won’t get stuck inside the player.
Fortunately, being a basic player doesn’t mean skimping on every feature. For strong audio playback, the Funai includes Dolby Digital Sound. Additional options like still frame and slow motion are also included. Parents will note the parental lock for prohibiting unwanted access by children. A multilingual operating system also makes it useful for all languages. The included remote offers basic controls like fast forward, skip, pause, and stop.
Best With Built-in Tuner: LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR Combination
This product was discontinued several years ago and is only available on a used basis now. However, the RC897T DVD recorder/VCR combo has the ability to record most DVD formats and play most DVD and CD formats. Using the VCR section, the consumer can both record directly to VHS or dub non-copy protected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS.
The incorporation of an HDMI output and video upscaling function is a nice touch that makes the RC897T a good match for an HDTV. The RC897T has both analog and DV video inputs, as well as a USB input for digital image and music file playback. This unit also complies with the DTV transmission requirements, with its built-in ATSC tuner, which allows reception of digital TV signals.
Honorable Mention: JVC DR-MV150B DVD Recorder/VCR Combination
Just as with most of DVD Recorder/VCR combos spotlighted on this list, the JVC DR-MV150B has been discontinued for some time.
However, it is a DVD Recorder/VCR combo that offers both good performance and a versatile feature package. This combo can record in the DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and DVD-RAM formats and plays back most DVD and CD formats, including MP3 and Divx files.
In addition, using the VCR section, the consumer can both record directly to VHS (HiFi) or dub non-copy protected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. The MV150B also has a front mounted DV input (iLink) that allows direct video and audio transfer from digital camcorders.
Best Record Mode Quality: Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVD recorder/VCR Combo
Magnavox Dvd Vcr Recorder
This product has been discontinued and is only available on a used basis now, but the Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVD recorder/VCR combo has the ability to record most DVD formats and play most DVD and CD formats, including MP3 and Divx files. In addition using the VCR section, the consumer can both record directly to VHS or dub non-copy protected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS.
With Panasonic's enhanced 4-hour recording mode, you can record sporting events and longer movies onto DVD with the same video quality as the 2-hour recording mode. The incorporation of HDMI and video upscaling makes the EZ48VK a good match for an HDTV. The DMR-EZ48VK has both an SD card slot and USB input for digital image and music file playback, as well as an ATSC tuner.
Runner-Up, Best Record Mode Quality: Panasonic DMR-EA38VK
This product has been discontinued and is only available used, but the Panasonic DMR-EA38VK has the ability to record most DVD formats and play most DVD and CD formats. In addition, you can record directly to VHS or dub non-copy protected video content from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS.
Also, with Panasonic's enhanced 4-hour recording mode, you can record sporting events and longer movies onto DVD with the same video quality as the 2-hour recording mode. The incorporation of HDMI and video upscaling makes the EA38VK a good partner for use with an HDTV.
The EA38VK requires an external DTV Converter, Cable, or Satellite Box to receive and record television programming.
Honorable Mention: Samsung DVD-VR375 DVD Recorder - VCR Combination
If you can find it, the Samsung VR375 DVD Recorder/VCR combo is a great choice if you are considering replacing that aging VCR with a DVD recorder. The VR375 records to all five recordable formats DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+R/+RW and DVD-RAM, and has composite, and iLink video inputs. In addition, on the DVD playback side, the VR375 can play back Divx files and has both component and HDMI video outputs and features 720p/1080i/1080p upscaling via the HDMI output.
Of course, the VR375 can still record and play VHS tapes. However, keep in mind that to record television programs, you need to use an external tuner such as cable or satellite box.
What to Look for in a DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combination
Built-in tuner -A built-in tuner allows you to record TV programs, which many people find to be a handy feature in DVD recorder/VHS VCR combo devices. Without a built-in tuner, you’ll have to connect a Cable/Satellite or DTV Converter Box.
Magnavox Dvd Recorder Vcr Combo
Price - If you’re on a budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a low-cost DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combo device. Since supply is shrinking, prices of remaining units (some of which can be nearly a decade old), are getting very expensive, sometimes as much as two to three times higher than their original selling prices. Look out for used units, which can be cheaper and still functional.
Recording mode quality - Some of Panasonic’s devices, though largely discontinued, have an enhanced 4-hour recording mode that lets you record sporting events and longer movies onto DVD with the same video quality as the 2-hour recording mode. Depending on your intended use, this can be a very handy feature.