MAGNAVOX DVD/VCR RECORDER

SOURCE: dvd/vcr recorder/magnavox

I'm on my second Magnavox MWR20V6 recorder in less than a year. I've made close to 1,000 DVDs, mostly dubbing from homemade videos of TV shows, but it's not been easy. They have some finicky quirks that aren't mentioned in the manual.

The second Magnavox I got worked far better than the first, and really has been pretty satisfactory. The first one (which finally just died) never had decent tracking, even when I was copying a video tape I'd made on the same machine to DVD!

I got the error e4 54043e02 on both machines. I'd be using the exact same brand and type of DVD that I'd used for hundreds of other times, but I'd get a new spindle of DVDs and few or none of them could be formatted, and were unusable.

I think the problem might be with the DVDs. I have tried all the brands I could find. I first tried Maxell, as recommended in the manual. They worked fine (both -RW and +RW) until one day they just quit working for me. The worst were the ones that had CPRM printed on the DVDs around the inner hub, but I couldn't find any way to tell (before buying them and opening the package) which disks were this type because the label on the package was identical to the Maxell DVDs that worked. I contacted the company and sent them all the DVD numbers and error codes but they didn't tell me anything. It seems to be some kind of company secret.

Then I tried Memorex DVD+RW 4x and they worked very reliably-- until the last pack I got. I'm getting the e4 54043e02 error again!!! I emailed the company but haven't heard back yet, due to the holiday weekend.

So my big complaint is that I can't find ANY DVDs to use for recording. What I've seen so far on the internet gives me the idea that blank DVDs are kinda junky or unreliable in general, also that it's a VERY good idea to keep those old video tapes, which might end up lasting far longer that DVDs anyway. I'd hoped to get rid of the old VHS tapes due to the storage space needed for them, but it looks like I won't be. Unless I can find good DVDs, I'll just go back to VHS recording.

Incidentally, Memorex gives me the impression that they'll refund my purchase price, while Maxell had no interest in making a refund!!

Also I think the DVD-R give fewer problems, but I use +RW for nearly all my recording because I like to edit them. I'd suggest trying a DVD-R if you get desperate.

SOURCE: can't setup Magnavox DVD VCR recorder

Put your TV onto chanel 3 to pick up your Magnvox signal

SOURCE: Magnavox VCR/DVD recorder model ZV450mw8.

You will need a technical person to open the unit. This problem can be as simple as a dirty sensor, or bad tape drive parts, or burned out computer chip.

ThaMp3Doctor

• 8597 Answers
• Posted on Feb 15, 2009

SOURCE: Magnavox DVD recorder...finalizing problem

The manual isn't too helpful either - "Recording error other than below," it says. There are a couple of possibilities. The Philips/Magnavox/Funai recorders automatically record in VR mode when you use +R discs (there are two possible recording modes - V Mode and VR Mode). Is it possible that you have switched disc types lately? If you are currently using -R discs, switch to +R and vice versa. The manual states that +/-RW discs take a while to initialize.

I couldn't find a full factory reset on that one, so you may have to unplug the unit for about 20 minutes to restore all the defaults.

Another possibility: Finalization requires some extra space on the disc. If you accidentally pressed the button that changes the recording format between SP, EP, LP, etc., you may not be able to fit the same amount of video on the disc that you were able to fit before. You can change the format by pressing the Disc Mode button on the remote - LP Mode will fit 3 hours worth of recordings onto a 2-hr disc and is considered a "medium quality" recording. Try changing the Disc Mode to LP and see if it will finalize the next disc that you record. The downside of this possibility is that the discs that you have already made that are giving you errors are not "fixable" - you will will have to re-record the shows to a new disc in LP mode.

Good luck!

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

SOURCE: Dont know how to finalize dvd after recording on magnavox vcr/dvd

You can find a copy of the manual on the web link provided here:http://tv.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/magnavox/mwr20v6_1.html Print a pdf copy for yourself. If you need more help the customer care for you dvd/vcr player is at this telephone number. 1-800-605-8453 give them the model number of your dvd/vcr unit and they will be able to help you. I hope this information helps you with your problem.