Review on Magnavox ZC320MW8B Progressive Scan DVD±RW Recorder with Line-in Recording: Performance at Its Best by Scott Mcgowan

Bought primarily to transfer old VHS tapes to DVD. Worked like a charm, although the UI is poorly documented and often opaque. I often got stuck at first where I couldn't get to the right menus and ended up having to power cycle or eject/reinsert the disc. This was solved by pressing the stop button between operations even if the DVD wasn't burning or playing, and there was no logical reason for that. Can't beat the price. Excellent cable transmission quality (not HD) - works with all channels we receive, although we do not subscribe to premium channels. CONS - It is what it is: S-Video and RCA inputs and outputs only; no tuner; no built-in display; no Hi-Def entry. - Slow operation, although not painful. I don't know if that can be typical for DVRs. Poor user interface, complicated by the fact that it doesn't have a built-in display (you have to navigate through the menu displayed on the TV to understand how the device is set up). ADVANTAGES: It works! Currently bulletproof (dozens of recordings made) - Low price - Indistinguishable from a new product - High recording quality (though not high res). Even with the clunky user interface I felt it deserved 5 stars for its high cost - it just works and paid for itself many times over compared to the commercial service that transfers my tapes and I was down to one DVD -Player/Recorder to download!