Q: My old DVD recorder no longer works. I used it with an antenna to record over-the-air broadcasts. The only comparable option I could find is a Magnavox HD DVR/HDD 500GB with an ATSC tuner. Is this a good unit, and is it worth $228?
A: Reviews for the Magnavox are generally positive, and you should be fine with that if you must have a device that burns DVDs. But I suggest you also consider an alternative where you separate the disc playback and recording functions. It would be less expensive and more convenient.
Home recording was very simple in the days of VHS VCRs with cable-ready tuners. Once you had the VCR, there were no other fees to pay, and you could easily create an archive of recordings on tape for future viewing.
When DVRs came along, they offered unbeatable convenience and the ability to pause and rewind live television. It was a superior recording solution, but subscription fees quickly became attached to DVR service. There is also the matter of creating an archive of favorite recordings, which is difficult because of copy protection used with subscription-based DVRs.
What I'm suggesting gives you the best of both worlds: Get a new disc player and a separate video recorder to go with it. If you do not have one already, buy a Blu-ray player. It will play your DVDs and CDs as well as high-definition Blu-ray discs that look and sound far superior to purchased DVDs. You can get a good Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi for about $60.
In the past, I have recommended the Mediasonic HomeWorx HW-150PVR for home recording, and it's still a great buy. The HW-150PVR is a small set-top box with an over-the-air tuner, a connection for an antenna and HDMI and USB ports. Just connect it to your TV and antenna and plug in a USB flash drive or hard drive. Format the drive in the setup menu, then have the tuner scan and memorize stations. You will then have an on-screen program guide to easily tune stations and schedule recordings using the remote control.
The HW-150PVR will allow you to pause live TV, and it records full quality HDTV to the USB drive. Flash drives won't hold much video, so you are better off with a hard drive. Once a drive is full you can replace it with a new one, saving your recordings on the old drive for future viewing. The HW-150PVR (mediasonic.ca) sells online for about $33, and there are no additional fees. Sometimes the unit's operation can be a bit quirky, but no more so than the Magnavox you are considering.
Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.
