I haven't messed with the zoom feature (use my TV's zoom when necessary), but it can be used during playback. Disc load times are good - I haven't timed it, but it would seem to be a good bit less than the 15 seconds that your DVD recorder is doing. (I've got a Panasonic DVD recorder, too, so I am loosely familiar with those long load times even though I generally only use the Panasonic to burn discs.) If I get a chance, I'll try to time it this evening.