Yes, it's excellent for that task.

Here's a help file on "Recording to the HDD" with one topic titled "Copying from VCR..." that should provide the info you need:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12298438&postcount=13

A list of all the help files is here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657

The 2160 has to adhere to the DVD 480i Std so everything thaty goes thru the tuner or line inputs gets downrezzed to 480i.

It can upconvert the signal to 720p and 1080i/p but it still started as 480i in the machine.

It does pass true HDTV thru its coax passthru if your signal is true HDTV.

There's a forum on AVS for HDTV Recorders located here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=42

More info on the 2160 can be found here, including a simple workaround for the Finalize/Format/Erase FW bug:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657

Yes, while still timer recording, just press PLAY and the show starts playback at the beginning. This is called "Chase Play."

You can then use all playback options, like FF, SKIP, etd. to watch until you get close to the record point (if still recording), then it tells you that you've caught up and it's going to live TV.

If the recording stops while playing back, it just keeps playing normally to the end until you stop it.

More on Chase Play here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12298461&postcount=16

More info and help on all aspects of setup and operation are here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657

I'm not sure what's happening with your setup, but all my shows recorded in WS from a true-WS channel, like TNT-HD, ESPN-HD, etc., play back from the HDD in true WS with my HDTV set for "Wide."

Discs I make of WS shows also play back the same way, in true WS.

When I take a WS disc to a 4:3 TV, it shows slightly squished from side to side... barely noticeable in my setup and I can tell w/o doubt cuz I use TNT-HD to test these things. TNT's logo is a perfect cricle, so any aspect effects can be easily seen.

On my 4:3 TVs, I can only see the slight squish if I compare thatr TNT circle to a live TNT program... very hard to see any squish.

The 2160 doesn't set the "WS flag" which tells players that the show is a WS program and allows the player's aspect control for 16:9, 4:3 Letterbox, or Pan & Scan, to reshape the show for a 4:3 TV. That's why your TV controls don't affect a 2160's WS recordings.

More info here on WS:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12371974&postcount=62

More info on all setup and operational aspects is here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657

No, the 2160 does not have TVGOS and the FW doesn't support it... probably never will.

Lots more info on setting up and operating is here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940657

No, the hard drive will only store in SD format.

Yes except w/an A at end... H2160MW9A.

Mfg dates for the "A" version are all in 2009. The original non-A versions were all sold with 2008 mfg dates on back sticker.

The "A" has a separate manual, a SATA HDD instead of a PATA, and added Yes/No Dialog to stop a recording, and an HDMI Control feature that turns compatible HDTVs on and off and auto-select the HDMI input.

Yes, as many as you need, up to 500GB each. Can use ESATA enclosure plus Toaster for active drive. Drives are portable from one machine to another 2160 and retain all recorded titles and timer rec programs intact... no reformatting reqd.

Lots of detailed info here at (insert front http://)
avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12355769&postcount=39

The URL is (this might not show up in submitted post):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12355769&postcount=39

Info on an easy way to allow Format, Erase and Finalize with timer programs set also there.. click bottom button for a list of "Help Files"...

actually, just set the 2160's Source to L3 (DV) input and Format, Erase and Finalize to your hearts content!

The answer to the first question is NO. While the H2160 has NTSC, ATSC and clear QAM recording capability it may record only one program at a given time.

The answer to the second question is YES and No. This will depend upon the disc format and age or specifications of the other DVD players. For best compatability use DVD-R discs and finalize them before using in other DVD players. Older DVD players may not support the later DVD+R format.

The Magnavox H2160 is equipped with a DVD Drive rated at 8x. Burning speeds greater than 1X may be used during the high-speed dubbing feature.

I've found the best results using Taiyo Yuden Premium Line 8X DVD-R media sold by several online sellers, including supermediastore and rima.

Avoid the Taiyo Yuden Value Line discs that are "seconds" as they do not meet the quality standards of Premium Line media.

When using 16x retail store discs you should be aware that 16x discs require higher laser power than with 8x discs. Therefore when using 16x discs there is the potential that laser assembly longevity may be reduced.

Upon occasion I've used selected lots of Verbatim, Sony and Maxell media in my Magnavox, Philips and Panasonic recorders.

Avoid CMC manufactured discs. (MIT is the manufacturer designation.) TDK, Memorex and many other retail brands are manufactured by CMC.