DVD VCR combo

NOTS3W

I'm easing my way into HD. I had a 20" Quasar CRT TV with built-in VCR in our bedroom. I also had a cheap DVD player attached. I'm on SD Dish Network and don't plan to upgrade to HD for awhile. Last week, we replaced the TV with a shiny (matte, actually) new 32" 720p LCD TV with one HDMI input. Now, I need a VCR and want to upgrade the DVD player. I'll use the VCR to (rarely) watch some old VHS tapes and more often to record shows when we're not home so we can watch them later. I don't plan to transfer VHS to DVD but I'd like to not be restricted from doing so if I ever want to.

Because this is a bedroom setup, I really don't want to spend a fortune. I don't need a tuner but I do need a record timer and I would like an upconverting DVD player. My first thought is to buy a DVD/VCR combo but the ratings are all over the charts. Here's what I've found so far:

Samsung DVD-V9700 DVD player & VCR $100
Toshiba D-VR600 DVD recorder & VCR $170
Samsung DVD-VR357 DVD recorder & VCR $170
LG RC700N DVD recorder & VCR $190

They each have their share of negative comments on Amazon. Does anyone here have any personal thoughts or experience with any of these?

For $250 I can go to the Panasonic DMR-EZ47VK but at that price, I think I can buy two separate components and be no worse off. From what I've read, most combo systems require two connections to the TV anyway.

Am I missing anything in the sub-$200 range or is mediocre as good as it gets? Am I barking up the wrong tree looking for a combo system? Is realibility better or worse for a combo system or separate components? Am I better off, for casual recording, using a DVD recorder and just looking for a cheap VHS player (do they still make them)?

Point me in the right direction, please.

Thanks for your help.

NOTS3W

I still need some guidance here. After reading some other threads, it sounds as though a progressive scan DVD player may be just as good as an upconverting player in some cases. While I cannot find an inexpensive upconverting DVD player/VCR, I can find several with progressive scan for under $100. With a 720p/1080i 32" Emerson HDTV, is upconverting overkill? To reiterate, I'm looking for a DVD player to replace a $29 Symphonic and add a tunerless VCR with a timer. But I'm hoping to get some advice on brands/models since most inexpensive systems get a lot of negative criticism. Maybe those users are expecting more from a $100 system than they should or than I am.

Bleedgreen71

I recently sold Electronics for Sears (Quit 3 weeks ago) and we had no combo units that offered an upconverting DVD player and a vcr. If your trying to do both you may be out of luck. And you are correct you will need two connections for a combo unit to work.

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NOTS3W

Maybe you misunderstood. The Samsung DVD-V9700, for example, upconverts the DVD output to 1080i and includes a VCR. But it gets more negative reviews than positive.

I don't need to upconvert the VCR but I'd like to upgrade the DVD output if I'm going to have to buy a new DVD player anyway.

I have an acceptable cheap DVD player. I need a way to play VHS tapes since I replaced my TV/VCR with a new HDTV. I want to record TV shows, either on tape or DVD, to watch and erase. I don't need a tuner, but I do need a timer. I think my options are:

1. a cheap VCR (I don't think anyone makes such a thing anymore)
2. an inexpensive DVD player/VCR like the Samsung or the others I mentioned earlier (progressive scan or upconvert to 720p/1080i for the DVD player?)
3. an inexpensive DVD recorder/VHS player (not sure this even exists)
4. an inexpensive DVD recorder/VCR (getting unnecessarily pricey now)

Separate connections to the TV are fine with me. I just don't want to spend over $200 ($100, preferrably) to accomplish this but I don't want to have to replace it when it breaks in two weeks, either.

tipstir

Good for you! Loyal Funai product user..

Save your money Wal-Mart is going to release the Funai Brand Name Blue-Ray HD DVD Player They have both Recorder too. Right now you can get Funai Magnavox with NSTC/ASTC tuners Dual Recorders VCR 4-Head Hi-Fi with DVD Recorder Progressive Scan with DD Audio Recording. These are now at Wal-Mart if you can find one though.

Frankly I like Progress Scan 480P on the Emerson 37" LCD HDTV. All this upconverting crap is just a waste. Just hold out for lower prices of HD Players and Recorders

Again there is nothing wrong with Funai brands... I want and easy to use and quick response-time remote control. Also Funai makes Toshiba DVD equipment players and recorders.

Thomas Foolery

I just bought the Samsung dvd-vr357 today. It was a snap to setup, and only needs an hdmi connection for the dvd recorder and vcr. The thing that made me pick it was the fact it will burn dl disks, and play divx files as well. 1 thing to note is there is no tuner, you will need a cable or sat box for a source.

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