The rise of DVD and the continuing popularity of the traditional VCR has given birth to a new home entertainment product, the DVD/VCR combo. Check out some of my picks in this new alternative to the home theater mix.
1. Toshiba SD-V295 DVD Player/VCR Combo
Toshiba has been in the forefront in affordable DVD players and VCRs. The SDV295 DVD Player/VCR combo, combines a DVD player with DVD/CD/VCD/DVD-R/Divx file compatibility and all the analog and digital AV outputs you need, including progressive scan video output and digital coaxial audio output for DVD playback, along with a fully functional 4 Head HiFi Stereo VCR. If you are replacing that old VCR, get a VCR and DVD player in one.2. Sony SLV-D380P DVD Player/VCR Combo
The SLV-D380P DVD Player/VCR combo has a full complement of AV inputs/outputs for its 4 Head HiFi VCR section, as well as composite, component (with progressive scan), S-Video, and digital audio outputs for Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound on the DVD side. This unit can also play back most DVD and CD disc formats. On the VCR side, this unit is a 4-Head HiFi Stereo unit with high speed rewiind. Here is a very affordable, practical, unit suited for a basic home theater. NOTE: This unit does not have a built-in tuner. In order to record television programs, the SLV-D380P must be connected to an external Cable, Satellite, or Over-the-Air Set-top Box. Lastly, SLV-D380P is a DVD Player/VCR combo - the DVD side does not record.
3. Samsung DVD-V9800 DVD Player/VCR Combo
The Samsung DVD-V9800 DVD Player/VCR combo can play back CDs, DVDs, and Discs with Divx files as well as being able to record and play VHS tapes. In addition, the DVD side offers 720p/1080i/1080p upscaling via HDMI interface. The resulting playback quality via HDMI is very good. However, it is important to note that this unit does not have a built-in tuner. In order to record television programs, the DVD-V9800 must be connected to an external Cable, Satellite, or Over-the-Air Set-top Box using Composite video connections. Lastly, the DVD-V9700 is a DVD Player/VCR combo - not a DVD Recorder/VCR combo.4. JVC HR-XV12S DVD Player/VCR Combo
The HR-XVC12S DVD Player/VCR combo has a full complement of AV inputs and outputs for its 4 Head HiFi VCR section, as well as composite, S-Video, and Component video outputs for the DVD side. There is a digital coaxial output for Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS soundtracks. The DVD side features progressive scan, and is playback compatible with CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, VCD, and JPEG CD discs. NOTE: The VCR section of this unit requires an external tuner (such as a cable, satellite, or DTV converter box) to record television programs. If you are looking for a bare-bones unit that can play DVDs and still record on VHS tapes, check out the JVC HR-XV12S as a possible choice.