Magnavox MDR535 500GB HDD and DVD Recorder with SD Digital Tuner (Black)

I owned this exact model of HDD/DVD recorder for 10 years but it was destroyed this year because of a lightning strike that took that out as well as a cable box, bluray player, and modem. I found this MDR 535 model again on Amazon and just received it yesterday. It arrived in great condition, along with a manual, remote, and even an HDMI cord. The 3rd party seller did an excellent job in packing it and providing all of the extras. I have already used the recorder, which worked well.

This DVR provides the functionality of a DIgital Video Recorder (DVR) for off-air TV with no ongoing cost for cable, satellite, or TiVo. The only basic drawback is that setting up a recording schedule is like with the old VCR's - you look up the schedule yourself of the program (TV Guide has a free App for the schedules on your tablet or smart phone); set the time and channel; and label the recording using the remote.This DVR seems fully as sensitive as my TV's in finding and programming in the stations available in my area. And the DVR provides a loop out of the RF antenna signal for the TV set if your set can receive digital TV (meaning the set is not much older than 10 years old). It has an HDMI output, component HD outputs, and even the old standard S-Video and old style analog video along with Stereo audio and a digital audio output.If you view the TV through the DVR as the receiving device, you can stop, back-up, and fast forward (up to present) live video. You can use your TV to watch live video with its own tuner and record another channel with the DVR. If you record video in HQ (highest quality, but it takes more space on the DVR) the recordings appear to be in HIgh Definition that looks about the same to me on my TV as watching them live.This device also allows you to record either live, or from a program previously recorded on the hard drive; to a recordable DVD which can be played in the DVR or in another DVD player. This will be at standard DVD resolution however, not HD.In my opinion the only real negative is that the device could really use an Ethernet port so you could access your recordings from your computer or play Internet sourced video. However, for the price I am very satisfied with what I have. I was so impressed I ordered a second unit for the bedroom. A very minor issue is that the remote button layout is a bit cluttered.Reccomendation regarding reliability:I am a retired electronic engineer. The hotter and the more complex the electronics the more likely the device from any maker is to fail. You cannot help that modern electronics are complex, but you can make sure they have adequate ventilation so they do not overheat and prematurely die:(1) Open up the back of your TV or stereo cabinet where the electronics are located so they can get ventilation. I drill several 2 or 3 inch diameter holes to provide ventilation - you cannot see them from the front, so go ahead and "Swiss-cheese" the inside back of the cabinet. It's best to do this when the wife isn't around and be sure to vacuum up the shavings before she gets back.(2) Do not stack electronics directly on top of each other - use a couple of wood 1x2's or even better 1" square metal tubes to provide at least 3/4 inches vertical spacing when electronic components are stacked. Locate these spacers front to back for best air flow, toward the edges so the feet rest on them.(3) Orgainize your cables and wiring neatly - at least going into and out of the shelves where the electronics are located. A bundle or two of wires leaves more space for air flow in and out of the cabinet than a tangle of wires and cables.Cutting the Cable or Satellite CordI have been disgusted by the ongoing and periodic disputes between the networks and local TV stations and Satellite and Cable Companies that results in losing a favorite network station during these disputes. There is a relatively simple and ultimately MUCH CHEAPER solution - I hooked up an off-air antenna in my attic (with amplifier) and used the existing cable feeds in the attic to feed my TV's. That gives me all the broadcast HDTV networks plus each has 2 or 3 lower definition channels usually with older syndicated shows or movies. And, digital broadcast TV is not at all like the old style broadcast TV. Off-air comes in perfectly with no snow or static. The HDTV network picture is actually slightly better than off of cable or satellite. Most of the missing programs that my wife and I enjoy from HGTV, History Channel, and Discovery are available via Internet - such as from Amazon Prime for free. The only remaining niche in cutting the cable was a DVR for off-air broadcasts that does not require a subscription. This DVR fills that need perfectly!Update:After using this for several months I have noticed two minor but slightly annoying issues:(1) When I am watching a previously recorded program from the hard drive and the DVR is also recording off the air at the same time, there are occasional slight pauses in the program I am watching.(2) I have noticed that the audio is slightly out of sync with the video in playing back the video. It wasn't obvious at first.Cutting the cable:I have not regretted cutting the cable - Every month I save about $60!I am not affiliated with Magnavox, Amazon, Funai or any other company. I am a recently retired electronic engineer

Like the unit . I'm SO mad at Best Buy for having a Panasonic version of this but never advertising it or putting it on sale . So when I finally find out about it , it's been discontinued ... Magnavox picks up the slack ...I got this to have a Hard Drive to record to . And this has about every feature you would want from the DVR level , while adding the "pause/rewind live TV " option . And I donlt pay TiVo $17 a month .. so personally for ME it's worth every penny .. Here is some of the pitfalls : A) don't jerk the unit around much , once you have the channels acquired ; once u disconnect any connection slightly , you lose the signal . And must unplug the cable line/antenna from the unit , unplug power - put both back in , in that order take another 20 mins to re-acquire your channelsB ) Prob the most irritating thing is that the Antenna/Cable Out doesn't transmit , and is merely used as a passthru . So you must view the unit's output thru your TV's A/V connections , or a HDMI port . Tho you MUST still have the line running from Antenna Out to TV and AV cables , connected . Or u don't see the HDMI output ... meaning u need more HDMI ports on your TV . I'm upgrading to one with at least 3 .. on the plus side , better picture on my TV that wayC) Most people 's cable operators have proprietary equipment . So either this is just going to be a slave unit to some cable converter box , and you'll have to manually change those channels , or the unit connects like an over-the-air antenna , and you're only going to get the free digital channels . i.e. Local channels - PBS channels - Foreign Language - Your local community channels . a bonus of WGN for me on the digital tier , so I'll never miss a Cubs game or not have room to record it...... This is fine for me as I watch several shows on all those categories of channels . and I have a converter with a DVR slave for my scrambled channels . Another line running to the Magnavox from the converter as well ; So I basically am using this unit as my Hub , able to watch/record digital channels or scrambled , to the HDD( thru Line Out 1 and 2 - 2 is slave DVR output) So for me I can now record two shows ( 1 scrambled 1 digital ) and still watch the Magnavox DVR output , or my BluRay / Streaming TV .. at same time ...D) One thing they could fix , is that the DVR and the HDD can't record at the same time . That should be doable , maybe noisy is all ; one recording would have to be from only the Line Outs , while the other is recording from Tuner I would consider , when I could afford it , buying another unit just to be that HDD slave . I think the picture quality is better thru this unit , it has every function u need , FF/RW are fast and the still picture is crystal-clear .. and it's nice to not worry about recording space . Have a friend who's been needling me to get TiVo for 20 years ; now I can stockpile shows like everyone else ..