DVD recorder/VCR recommendations-region free or hackable?

[jedbu]

I need recommendations for what is the best and/or least expensive DVD recorder/VCR that is either region-free or hackable. I currently have a Daewoo region free player that I would love to replace (hate not being able to skip directly to chapters and sometimes is persnickety about DVD-Rs) and a VCR that is OK but really would love to convert older videotapes to DVD yet still be able to play my non R1 discs. I've heard that LITE-ON is good but I am reluctant about buying something I cannot actually look at or play with before purchasing, so maybe I should look for a hackable machine I can buy locally (Los Angeles).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[hech54]

Combos are two things:
1) Usually a bit more difficult to region hack than regular DVD players.
2) Notoriously garbage(quality).

[handyguy]

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks