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Combination DVD / VHS Player - Good Idea?

C

Cyberian

Diamond Member
I have quite a few VHS Tapes and my VCR just took a major dump.
I thought this might be a good opportunity to enter the 20th Century and start buying/renting movies and such on DVD. I really don't want to have to transfer all my old stuff over, so I was thinking about a combination unit.

Pros? / Cons?
 
Given the cost of DVD players and VCR's, get two separate units.

You can get DVD players for under $100 consistently, or jump up to a decent player (Panasonic DVD-RP62 for example) for $175 or so.

Viper GTS
 
Space is an issue for me so I just bought a Combo from Radio Shack. Its on sale for $118 after MIR if you're interested. I don't have an HDTV or Digital Comb Filters so I don't need progressive scan. With that out of the way, a DVD player is a DVD player...
 
If space is an issue (motor home/college dorm) then get a combo, they're as low as $169 for a decent unit.

Otherwise get two separate components. A nice $89 Toshiba DVD or $99 Panasonic DVD can be had at Costco plus a $59 Panasonic VCR or $89 Toshiba VCR also at Costco.
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Given the cost of DVD players and VCR's, get two separate units.

You can get DVD players for under $100 consistently, or jump up to a decent player (Panasonic DVD-RP62 for example) for $175 or so.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...
That was actually my first thought, but I was unsure about the wiring.
Wouldn't I have to switch the cables behind the TV every time I wanted to change from DVD to VHS?

 
Can you record a DVD to VHS tape with a combi?
I would go with 2 seperates, then you have more remotes and more boxes 🙂.
 
Originally posted by: Cyberian
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Given the cost of DVD players and VCR's, get two separate units.

You can get DVD players for under $100 consistently, or jump up to a decent player (Panasonic DVD-RP62 for example) for $175 or so.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...
That was actually my first thought, but I was unsure about the wiring.
Wouldn't I have to switch the cables behind the TV every time I wanted to change from DVD to VHS?
Click to expand...

Unless your TV is antique, it should have multiple inputs.

Viper GTS
 
Unless your TV is antique, it should have multiple inputs.
Click to expand...
My TV is less then a year old and it only has inputs in the front.

Forget about running the DVD player through the VCR if you get two seperate units. You'll have problems with the copy protection. I got lucky, my VCR doesn't support macrovision apparently, so it works fine for me. You could pick up a video switcher from Amazon, I paid about $20 for one a couple years ago. It has support for up to 4 devices, you just push the button for the device you want to use.
 
Got the Samsung DVD/VHS Combo last year and its been excellent so far plus even though its one machine they still work seperately so If I want to watch a dvd while taping something on the vcr I can.
 
Originally posted by: MrBond
Unless your TV is antique, it should have multiple inputs.
Click to expand...
My TV is less then a year old and it only has inputs in the front.

Forget about running the DVD player through the VCR if you get two seperate units. You'll have problems with the copy protection. I got lucky, my VCR doesn't support macrovision apparently, so it works fine for me. You could pick up a video switcher from Amazon, I paid about $20 for one a couple years ago. It has support for up to 4 devices, you just push the button for the device you want to use.
Click to expand...

Got a model number? $5 says it has more than just front inputs.

And yes, I am serious on the $5.

Viper GTS
 
Originally posted by: Smolek
Got the Samsung DVD/VHS Combo last year and its been excellent so far plus even though its one machine they still work seperately so If I want to watch a dvd while taping something on the vcr I can.
Click to expand...
That sounds good.



Unless your TV is antique, it should have multiple inputs.
Click to expand...
It's a few years old. Sony Triniton - I guess I should just pull it out from the wall, watch all the dust bunnies and check the inputs.
 
Even if it only has one input, you can buy a composite video switcher from Radio Shack for like 10 bucks. I have a DVD player and a VCR in my bedroom, and that's what I did.
 
In Radio Shack, everyone was buying those CineVision DVD players for $48. One of the salesman was great. He had a stack of them near the door and took a megaphone. Then started yeling "DVD Players, $48, you want it, we got it." One of the employees ran over and started yelling "Security is gonna shut us down, stop it." I thought it was pretty nice, adding some joy into the early, aggrevating morning...
 
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