Are Blu-ray/VHS combo devices made anymore?

[agent154]

My parents got a new HDTV recently and I was asked if the old VCR would hook up to it... obviously yes, but I had an idea - what if they could get a new blu-ray/VHS combo device instead which will output via HDMI, so they could kill two birds with one stone. I know DVD/VHS combo machines exist, and I know that Panasonic made the BD70V some years back, but from what I can tell it no longer is made or sold anywhere. No other companies seem to make anything of the sort.

Does anybody know if such a thing exists anymore?

[jman98]

"Anymore" is not the correct word to use because it implies that there definitely was such a thing in the past. I've never heard of such.

VCRs are dead and while there are still a very limited number of VCR/DVD recorder units (Magnavox still makes 1 or 2 in North America if you're from there), BluRay recorders either don't exist in North America or are so expensive that they might as well not exist, so there's no need to make a combo unit. VHS doesn't upscale well beyond DVD resolutions anyway, so not much to be gained by trying to put it on BluRay discs except getting more per disc than for DVDs. That would force the recorder to record the VHS tapes in standard definition mode, which kind of defeats the purpose of recording BluRay.

[poisondeathray]

"Anymore" is not the correct word to use because it implies that there definitely was such a thing in the past. I've never heard of such.

LOL

It reminded me of this

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/betamaxhd.html

[orsetto]

I think the OP is asking about a combination BD/VHS player, jman98, not a BD recorder.

Agent154, the Panasonic BD70V was the only such combo sold in the USA. It didn't do well, so it was discontinued a few years back and no replacement model was ever offered. No other mfr has attempted to sell anything like it. You might find one second-hand from eBay or Craig's List, but like all discontinued Panasonics the BD70V is a cult item fetching ridiculous prices.

Current BD players tend to be barely an inch tall, just get your parents a BD player and stack it on top of their VCR. Yes, having an additional remote is cumbersome and parents tend to get confused when switching inputs on their TV, but this is the world we live in now. How often would they use the VHS, anyway? VHS looks awful on the new large flat screens.

[DB83]

Still want one ?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BD70V-Blu-ray-Multimedia-Player/dp/B001VZ1W5U

[Noahtuck]

"Anymore" is not the correct word to use because it implies that there definitely was such a thing in the past. I've never heard of such.

LOL

It reminded me of this

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/betamaxhd.html

LMFAO!!!

I like the short features list at the bottom

Features:

• One button transfer between Betamax and HD-DVD
• Play and Record both Super and regular BetaMax
• Blah, blah, blah
• Uses electricity
• Has a manual
• Something else
• Frakkin' sweet remote
• You aren't even reading this

You aren't even reading this
LMAO!!!!

Still want one ?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BD70V-Blu-ray-Multimedia-Player/dp/B001VZ1W5U

Yeah, that's worth the extra pile of cash to have both in one unit!!!

LOL!!!

[Mr.Delusional]

Actually Magnavox also made one. (No record function for vhs) http://www.amazon.com/Magnavox-MBP110V-F7-Blu-Ray-Player/dp/B003SNJC1Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Here is the pdf leaflet. http://www.funaiport.com/upload/MAGNAVOX/Leaflet/MBP110V_LE.PDF