Funai Combination VCR and DVD Recorder (ZV427FX4)

Executive summary. This works as advertised and is a great way to get your old VHS and VHS-C tapes converted to DVD, before they self destruct from age. And one of my really old VHS tapes did, in fact, break, after I had copied it to DVD and was rewinding it. Close call.Background. Like many people, I imagine, I left VHS behind a long time ago. However, before that, our household accumulated quite a few home videos--dance recitals, vacation trips, special events. Most were on VHS-C, usable in a regular VCR with an adapter. Some were actually full size VHS tapes. Others were VHS-C converted and edited onto standard VHS tapes. A few years ago I bought a Roxio USB capture device for connecting standard RCA outputs or S-Video to a computer. In conjunction with a video editor, those tapes could be converted to digital, then to DVD or other media. I tried one with OK results but then got distracted by other things. When I got back again two weeks ago, to my surprise, Windows 8.1 did not recognize the Roxio converter, even with the "latest" driver from Roxio. Then I discovered that my old JVC VCR had also given up after only 22 years. I looked at some local VHS-to-DVD services and saw I could get my home movies converted for $20-25 each. With 8 standard VHS cassettes and about a dozen VHS-C, that's $400-500.Which brings me to the Funai. I don't know if I'll get the Roxio converter to work, so buying a new VCR for $75-100 is a gamble. Then appears Funai Combination VCR and DVD, and it will convert a VHS tape to DVD-R. $168 plus $12 or so for 50 Verbatim DVD-R's. Decent reviews, and the bad ones seem to be by people who didn't notice the lack of a TV tuner in the description.Good. Fairly easy to understand the manual, although parts of it seem to refer to a different model. Once you get the system down, it is a quick and easy process to copy home VHS tapes to DVD-R. The manual says it will not copy protected copyrighted material. Since I have none, I couldn't test that. The machine has HDMI out making connection to a modern TV for playback easy. The TV I have it connected to has limited display options, so my old 4:3 aspect ratio video shows both VHS and DVD content stretched to 16:9, however, the DVD's created using "auto" aspect ratio play correctly on other TVs. The DVD's are 1080p, upsampled, according to the manual. Of course, with source material at 720x480SD, you can do only so much.Bad. Not much. I never heard of Funai. Don't know about future service. HDMI or IEEE1394 inputs would have been nice for going from a modern camcorder or DSLR to DVD. In any case, I accomplished what I bought the recorder for in just a couple days, saving $250-300 in the process, so any additional use I get from it is a bonus.Other. DVDs created on the recorder can be copied on a computer DVD drive. I made copies of our now-grown daughter's dance recitals for her. I wasn't even sure my computer's DVD burner would work with DVD-R, but it did quite nicely. The machine will also copy from DVD to VHS, although, I am really hard pressed to think of a reason to do that! All in all, this was a very good purchase. Maybe I'll advertise in my neighborhood: VHS tapes copied to DVD for $10 each.

UPDATE May 17, 2022:After nearly 7 years the VCR deck has started to fail - it spits the tape out or shuts off. I have used the VCR many times since I bought this in 2015. The last I used it to watch a VHS tape was around late 2019 or early 2020, I cannot be certain. But I know I never used it during the 1 1/2 years, about.Less than two weeks ago I wanted to watch a tape; and to my surprise, shock & disappointment when I put the tape in, pressed PLAY...and the machine stopped and spit the VHS tape back out! When I grabbed the tape it was tangled inside the machine. I was able to simply lift the tape off the playhead roller and free the VHS. I had to untangle the tape, but it wasn't snapped. I tried playing another VHS and the machine shut off this time. When I turned it back on, I was able to eject the tape with the STOP/EJECT button. I was able to simply lift the tape off the rollers and pull if free with no damage to the tape. Two more attempts and the VHS tape either just ejected the tape or it shut down the machine. (See video of this phenomenon, IF I uploaded the video)The DVD deck works still, as that is what I used most anyway. I feel bad that I didn't use the VCR deck as much. In fact, I would eject the tape out when I was done, because sometimes (as with Sony VCRs) leaving the tape in can cause problems. Anyway, so far, the VCR side doesn't work properly, as it shuts off when trying to play a tape or it get the stuck. I'm sad now. I have a lot of VHS tapes I would still like to watch, so I am considering buying this model "new" again or another VCR player. But in 2022, finding a VCR that is in pristine condition can be a challenge. I'm sad now.UPDATE: DEC 7, 2015:I have since used the DVD recording feature to record my play session from my Dreamcast and PS2 and both were flawless on a Memorex DVD-RW 4x. While the manual guarantees Memorex DVD-Rs only, the DVD-RWs works great. Now the Verbatim DVD-R recorded, but because I forgot to have a signal going through the L2 port, it stopped recording after 5 seconds, and auto finalized (I had it setup that way) since it couldn't detect a clear signal. It all happened so FAST. I mean, you push that one button and then BOOM! it starts recording. I was able to record my PS2, stop and record my Dreamcast without any problems. It even tells me I have 17min left on that DVD-RW. Since my Wii is connected to Component, I cannot record to DVD from that connection as the FUNAI ZV427FX4's Component ports are for OUTPUT only. Still...this was awesome investment, just wish I made it sooner than now. Yay!!November, 2015: [I bought this brand new for 173$]I love this thing. I just hook[ed] up my HDMI cable to the FUNAI ZV427FX4 Combination VCR and DVD Recorder and it outputs all [of my devices to my TV]. I [even] have an A/V security camera that I used for my old Sony VCR (before it started eating tapes); I thought it [required] the RCA input on my HDTV, but video was passed through the HDMI connection. Cool! Watching VHS tapes just got fun again! I bought this to really watch VHS tapes, and have my old camera connected [which I have set to] the L1 rear input [of the unit].Point [is:] this set rocks. What I learned is (1) by pressing the HDMI BUTTON [on] the remote you can switch the HD modes from 480p to 1080p. By default is it set to 1080p; [however, some media when played on a 16:9 HDTV using modes 480p or 720p, will either stretch the image or have it [centered in the middle] of the screen. Switching to 1080(i/p) formats the images correctly, OR you may need to adjust the ZOOM or SCREEN SIZE on your TV.](2) By connect[ing] my A/V switcher (which has my Dreamcast, PS2, & Wii connected) into the FUNAI's L2 front S-Video port I am now able to play my DC, Wii & PS2 in 1080i or 1080p!!!!!!! Aaaaaauuugghjhhhh!!!!!!! WheewwooOK. Anyway, I have not tried the DVD recording as yet. I'll update this when I do. PLUS I FOUND OUT YOU CAN RECORD YOUR PLAY SESSION TO DVD WHILE YOU'RE PLAYING!!! (Probably, I just assume as such while reading the manual).