Looking for a good DVD-VHS combo

[pbuscher]

I know that some people do not speak highly of DVD-VHS combos, but I need one. My VCR broke and my DVD player is about to kick the bucket, and I now only have room on my shelf for a DVD-VHS combo. I went to Sams and Walmart and wrote down all the names and models of DVD-VHS combos and proceeded to look them up on http://www.videohelp.com to find which one has the better compatibility, but NONE of them were even listed!

I'm looking for a good one that'll play tons of discs (VCD, SVCD, DVD+R, +RW, -R, -RW... and maybe even DL), can hopefully play multi-region DVDs, and run in Progressive Scan (though, PS is not necessary.) MP3, JPEG, DiVX, and MPEGISO are nice but not mandatory.

What I found in Walmart and Sams are:
Sanyo DVW-7000
Sanyo DVW-7100
Emerson EWD-2204
Philips DVP-620VR
Sony SLV-D251P
Samsung DVD-V3500 (found this one on videohelp.com)
Magnavox MSD-804
Panasonic SA-HT822V
Pioneer DVR-RT500-S
Panasonic DMR-E75V

Anyone know of these models? Can anyone recommend a good DVD-VHS combo?

Thanks

[pbhalerao]

You won't get multi-region DVD playing players (combos or otherwise) at Sams or Walmart. For that matter, anything DVD player sold in "regular" stores in USA are Region 1 only.

If multi-region don't matter to you that much Sony or Pioneer are good bets. Magnavox and Philips are not that good but there could be exceptions. Sanyo is OK. Most are made in China/Malaysia anyway.

Regards,

[Marvingj]

Separate units is the way to go, but because of space Sanyo & Sansui are the best check out my evaluation on DVD writers.

[pbuscher]

Then what would you say is THE number one DVD-VHS combo. I know thats asking a lot but I really need one soon.

Is there another quality place online that has DVD Player reviews?

I thought the list of DVD players on videohelp.com was an exhaustive list, but many of those found at Walmart and Sams arent even on there

[stiltman]

I just bought the Emerson from wally world a couple of days ago.
I plays pretty good. I got it, because my bedroom TV doesn't have a/v inputs. The Emerson will output through the RF connection. I found that to be very rare these days, so I'm pretty happy that I found one.

[Marvingj]

The Combo unit are not not good but the best of these is Sansui 4005. It is more stable than the others in its class. But no firmware upgrade & no Hacks. You'll better off buying separate units but because of space & budget I can understand. Don't forget that usually when one side goes down that the other part will be effectied.

[pbuscher]

Come to think of it, I think one of the ones from Sams claimed to play "HDCD". Is that HD DVDs? Are there DVD Players out now that play in HD? It was a Panasonic SC-HT822V (or was it SA-HT822V?... cant read my writing). If I can find a DVD-VHS combo that ALSO plays in HD, that'd be super!

[pbuscher]

Or how about this:

Has anyone tried out the Sony RDR-VX500? It looks interesting! Plays DVD+R/RW, -R/RW, VHS, Progressive Scan, MP3, has an i-Link port, JPEG viewer (according to Amazon.com), and plays VCDs and SVCDs (according to Best Buy).

How is this Sony? Anyone have a review that they want to share? Is there any other one better?

[samijubal]

Sony uses a cheap Toshiba VCR, sorry machine. The DVD player may be OK, but the VCR is junk.

[pbuscher]

Sony uses a cheap Toshiba VCR, sorry machine. The DVD player may be OK, but the VCR is junk.

It is? Ahh man! (I was hoping I'd found a good one)
Whats wrong w/ the VCR? You have experience with this exact model?

[samijubal]

I've worked on them. Very cheap tape guides that don't last, no lock pins for the guides, so a little wear and they won't lock into place like they should. There is also a gear that cracks in the idler assembly, then it eats tapes.

[pbuscher]

I've worked on them. Very cheap tape guides that don't last, no lock pins for the guides, so a little wear and they won't lock into place like they should. There is also a gear that cracks in the idler assembly, then it eats tapes.

Wow! Well, do you know any decent DVD-VHS combos?

[Ste]

HDCDs are a type of high quality audio CD.

http://www.hdcd.com/about/whatisHDCD.html

[lordsmurf]

"combo" and "decent" and "good" never go in the same sentence.

More like "I guess it works sorta" is more appropriate.

[only_emo_kid]

i'm looking for a combo that'll play and cd-rs and dvd-rs any thoughts?!

[samijubal]

That pretty much sums up combos, problem prone machines with cheaper components than separate units. Unless you are completely restricted by space, buy separate.

[boxer1010]

I THINK ITS BEST TO BUY A VCR AND DVD SEPARATELY, IMPORTANT AT ALL COSTS I HAVE A SONY (WHICH I THOUGHT IS A HIGHEST BRAND(ITS COSTS THE MOST)) BUT THE DVD'S AND VCD'S KEEP SKIPPING WHERE AS A PANASONIC $60 MODEL WORKS PERFECT.

[gungadin_]

I just purchased the sony D251P combo vhs/dvd from sams today. I think it was 129.00. I also paid Sams 14.95 for a 3 year extended warrenty that kicks in after the orginal year warrentyl. So thats 4 years of warrenty.

I never buy warrenties this is the one exception. I have bad luck with dvd players. Sams at least made it an easy decision with that price.

What happens after the original 1 year warrenty is up is you bring it back to sams they give you a new one.

So I tend to agree that DVD technology is a pain in the ass. But it says right on the sony box what this dvd will play. Try and find another brand that states exactly what they play right on the box. It's impossible. I think they tend to fib a lot. Many people also assume they play all formats.

I do have a few cheapo dvd players 19.00-39.00 at home as well. They rarely play without giving you an error when you put disks in. On either the +r's as well as real dvds from the stores. They all love to say "no disk found". They all tend to hang up on disks at some point. I think the DVD technology sucks even to this day. Thats why I refused to buy a camcorder with a dvd writer in it. Can you imagine what that thing will go through.

As far as the Sony using a Toshiba vhs. I'll tell you this much I have had 3 Toshiba vhs's. The first one died after about 12 years of service. The second one died after about 8 years (I think my 20 year old emerson tv had something to do with its lifespan being cut). and the last one I have is about 3 years old still going. I tend to think they make these units cheaper and cheaper every year. However I'd go with a sony or toshiba over any other brand out there in vcrs. Especially magnavox or rca that can die within 3 months of use. Believe me I know that for a fact.

Not many compainies make VHS anymore but thats another story.

I looked at the samsung combo at Sams but it did not play all of the formats. I also did not have any past experience with samsung vhs's so went with Sony.

Can't you just wait till next year when DVD's will be out of date, and the new 9 gb ones come out. Its like why bother anymore.

[gshelley61]

Well, there is a pro line JVC SR-MV30U combination DVD Recorder and S-VHS unit with built in TBC/Frame Synchronizer and DigiPure video processing that might be decent... $895 list price.

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/Attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101458

[gungadin_]

I Just purchased an Allegro 441 combo dvd/vcr at Best Buy for $59.00,
I expect to purchase the extended warranty if I do keep it because it is a brand I am not familor with. It is made by Zenith whoever they are now.

At that price I had to give it a shot, if it doesn't work good its going back. It looks a lot like a Go-Video unit the color and look is very simular maybe they just put a name on one of those units and resold it.

I installed it last night, and so far it's excellent. The dvd picture is sharp and the vhs is very sharp as well, perhaps better then my new Sony. The remote is excellent has a good feel and an uncanny amount of features on it. Puts my new Sony $129.00 dvd/vcr remote to shame.

I can play a dvd while recording another show on vhs. The only feature it appears to be missing is an optical video out. It does have coax video out but I can't use it on the set I have now. But thats a minor problem for me right now, since this will not have a home theater connected to it.

I liked the units ability to run any format you throw at it, states right on the box it plays all dvd formats but I think dvd ram.

So I now own a new name brand Sony SLV-D251P $129.00 that I bought this weekend and the no name brand Allegro at rock bottom price of $59.00. I don't think theres a combo out there cheaper.

It will be interesting to see which one last longest and survives.

I'll keep you updated.

[gungadin_]

Heres the link to the Allegro dvd/vcr

http://www.zenith.com/index.asp?url=./sub_prod/subCategory_Display.asp%3Fcat%3D15