Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575 - Page 582

My 2yo 2160A has orig FW so maybe I'll try it on that first. Is a DVD+RW or -RW OK for FW updates?

well, I tried it again and it worked. I must have done something wrong the 1st time. I am pleases with the quality of the recording...much better then those ram disks on the EZ-28!

I think I asked this before but should I put in the FW update? My machine was manufactured in August of 2011. I just started using it and have not noticed any problems. i do intend to us the timer to record shows on a weekly basis and use the skip mark to skip repeats.

Getting pre-titling on the 2160 would be great. Too bad that FW isn't compatible with the 3576.

I'm going to stop at Best Buy this afternoon - they advertised a 550va APC UPS for $40 - I'd like to get that in place before any FW upgrades...

I'm happy for you. You might miss those 61 minute HQ recordings. Or not. I tried my EZ28 just to see if they changed my cable. I still get U99 on digital channels. The tuner on the Magnavox is so much better too.

I will try it with the 515H. When I scheduled at 61 minute recording directly to DVD+RW on my 2160A, it went to the HDD. Maybe things have changed.

But with 50hrs at HQ, it's no big thing now. It will be a sad day when the 515H is no longer available. It's really a value.

I think this recorder is excellent, could do a bit better on the menu's but for it offers, there are few drawbacks.
I am going to put the Panny ez-28 on Ebay along with the ram disks!

Well, it's a simple test. Schedule anything for 61 minutes HQ to a DVR+RW and see if it works. Probably same with DVD-RW, but I never tested that.

Funny story. I would get a new DVD-RAM. In the EZ28K I would do a low level format. Then I would go to my Toshiba RX-50 and make a 65 minute 9.2 Mbs recording. Then I would erase the recording and the result is a DVD-RAM that holds 65 minutes. I don't know enough to explain why it works, but it always does. Even a low-level (40 minutes) format on the RX-50 would indicate 60 minutes space until after I made a 65 minute recording. The RX-50 has an analog tuner, but I would feed it from digital tuners.

And then I found the Sony DHG and 2160A.

Sorry I can't, but I'm sure you'll get some volunteers.


As you said, you will need to replace the burner. There's nothing more to do... except to check for a loose/damaged cable near the pick-up.

61 minutes reminaing in the opinion of what? The 2160A says an erased DVD+RW has 60 minutes free. Ok, no problem. But then you do the math, and I get quotes about a spec. That's OK too. I just don't know how to fit, in HQ, more than 60 minutes on a DVD-RW or DVD+RW. You write the 60 minutes and have a "free" space. This free space only exists after using the first 60 minutes. Spec may be right, but it is rather odd.

We've been here before and it's not high on my priority list. With all the storage on a 515H, a DVD is a device for those who want to archive titles for the future. Not my thing, but I understand the purpose.

As for DVD-RAM, one thing does stand out: the skip function. It's almost as good as an HDD. With a +RW or -RW, it can be frustrating.

Don't forget chase play. That's the reason that I bought DVD-RAM discs.

A similar odd thing but if I "prep" a DVD(any type) in my EZ-28(record a 5 second EP8 title and then delete it) if I then put that DVD in one of my older ES or EH series Panasonics, I get 1:04 min XP or 2:09 min SP of direct to DVD recording
Now that I know the trick I "prep" all my direct burn DVDs in my EZ-28 and only do the actual recording on my ES series machines(you don't get the extra time actually recording on the EZ-28).
Another very handy result of prepping the DVDs is using FR, it totally fills the disc(4409MB) instead of the normal 4000MB file for FR.

I know. The DVD-RAM is a DVD of another color. But that's what I missed when buying my 2160A. Since I was used to saving to DVD, I picked up on the difference quickly. It's not so important with 500GB. I don't have that many DVD-RAM disks. And you can't walk into most stores to buy them.

I find it cute that the Magnavox doesn't give you an error. It just blinks the red LED and puts the title on the HDD. That's nice. Almost friendly.

To get the 65 minutes on the EZ28, I used the RX-50 to make a 65 minute recording, which the EZ28 would then accept as disk space. Probably would work on your ES series too.

I've had the same thing happen to me... on a V2160A...

Set a scheduled recording to skip a week...
After the scheduled recording skips that week, that particular scheduled recording timer gets deleted...

I've also had all my scheduled recording timers get deleted after scanning both OTA and Cable channels...

Kind of a pain...

I'm really sorry to open this can of worms again. It's noteworthy but not as important as having the pesky analog lockup fixed for the cable people. My units have never locked up despite many attempts to duplicate the issue. As for history:

8/24/2010:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post19096742

Now that my 515 is up and running, I have a question. I have the 515 hooked with both the composite out and the HDMI. When i am watching a channel through the 515, it appears that the composite picture is better then the hdmi picture, which is grainier. I have changed the rgb to cbyr but composite is just better. Is the way it should be?

My tv only goes to 1080i which is what the HDMI is in.The mag is is coverted to 480i(it says on the screen) but looks better...odd!

All HD TVs are progressive, 1080i simply means that it can't accept a 1080p input signal. All content is deinterlaced to "p" before it is displayed. Prior to BluRay there was no 1080p input. The ATSC spec doesn't define it even though it does define and mandate 18 other display formats. To be able to be called a TV the Feds say the device has to have a tuner, accept, and display all 18, up conversion and down conversion is allowed.

This happens on my 515. So what I do now is that if something is pre-empted this Monday, I change the recording date to next week Monday's date. Once this Monday passes, I can change it back to every Monday. (Else if I forget, it will record next Monday and disappear from the timers.) I usually do all my programming adjustments every Sunday so i don't forget.

Why Doesn't the skip button work?????????

One other question...can i use a CD to make the FW disc? I am not installing it yet but want it handy in case i might. Also, would i use this update if i have a problem with the skip option in the menu.
Thanks again for all the help. this is by far and away the most help forum out there!!!!

CD-R works fine. I've made them with Windows and Nero Burning ROM.