Review on Efficient and Versatile Funai Combination VCR and DVD Recorder: ZV427FX4 by Trey Harvey

About three years ago I bought a Magnavox version of this unit about three years ago (Funai made two of them but under the name licensed to Magnavox). I found it easy to use with lots of options and I've converted about 50 VHS tapes to DVD (and many more to come). I was happy until the device ejected the burned DVD last month. I've tried everything and searched the web that this is specific to this device. The warranty has expired and the repair bill exceeds the repaired unit. I was told, that this Funai device is the same So I bought a refurbished model and planned to do a lot of translations during the 90 day warranty period. When I opened it up, it looked exactly like the Magnavox. In fact, the Magnavox remote worked with it. I found a few differences - some didn't matter, some did. Magnavox uses blank DVD+R or blank DVD-R discs. Funai uses DVD-R discs ONLY. The big difference for me is the time settings you can use for the DVD. (The time it is kept.) Of course, the longer the time, the worse the quality of the copy. I recorded VHS at 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours). And sometimes I would record a 3 hour show at 4 hour speed. Magnavox offered speeds of 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours (and actually gave you about 10 or 15 extra minutes. Funai limits you to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours) and only 2 minutes extra each. Please note that this device does not have a tuner for recording from a TV. But that shouldn't be the reason to buy it. These seem to be the ONLY devices currently that can convert your VHS tapes and a refurbished model will do the job. The instructions will take a while, but once you've done that you're ready to make copies. There is a feature to add titles to chapters, but that's cumbersome, so I just use a marker to write the titles on the DVD itself. You'll see a lot of reviews to remind you that you need to "finish" the DVD you created in order for it to play. There is a nice option that lets you set "Auto Completion" when the DVD is full. I liked it. If you're broadcasting old home videos or TV shows that you recorded before widescreen TVs, you have the option of recording them in 4:3 format (letterbox with black bars on the sides) or in 16:9 widescreen format. I would recommend the setting 4:3. Otherwise, it will fill your widescreen TV but stretch the picture horizontally and make everyone look fat. We only used 16:9 when the original was 16:9. And I have a really important reminder - this machine will NOT convert INDUSTRIAL DVDs like your favorite movies. Everyone was " They found this review informative and helpful. And another important reminder: This machine will NOT convert COMMERCIAL DVDs like your favorite movies. All were "copy protected". I've recorded LOTS of live TV shows on my VHS recorder (concerts on MTV and movies on TCM) and it's great to transfer them to save space and set chapter stops every 5 minutes so I can scan FAST - something , which you can't do with VHS tapes. I hope you found this review informative and helpful. I've recorded LOTS of live TV shows on my VHS recorder (concerts on MTV and movies on TCM) and it's great to transfer them to save space and set chapter stops every 5 minutes so I can scan FAST - something , which you can't do with VHS tapes. I hope you found this review informative and helpful. I've recorded LOTS of live TV shows on my VHS recorder (concerts on MTV and movies on TCM) and it's great to transfer them to save space and set chapter stops every 5 minutes so I can scan FAST - something , which you can't do with VHS tapes. I hope you found this review informative and helpful.