Video Recorder / DVD Combinations - Advise please

DerekMcV · 18-12-2003, 00:41

Thinking of buying a Video Recorder / DVD Combination box. Anyone recommend one. Can you record & watch a DVD at the same time? Also do you need two scarts on your TV, one for the DVD output & one for the VCR? Can you pass through the scarts i.e. Freeview STB -- DVD/VCR Combo -- TV?

Graceland · 28-05-2004, 05:29

Oh dear Argos has a sale and Iam tempted to get one but what one.
Any help or advice.
Thanks in advance.

Fred Smith · 29-05-2004, 00:35

Usually the DVD and VCR both output through one Scart socket.

FYI my local Safeways have a Boksonic(?) DVD / VCR combo for £70 was £120.

rich_jtg · 29-05-2004, 10:45

I have a JVC one, which I've had about a year now.

Although I have been warey of 'combi' anything in the past, I have to say that the unit has been very good.

The VCR makes good quality recordings compared to my old Sony VCR, and the DVD player gives a fantastic vibrant image.

The reason I chose the JVC was because it has component outputs.

Depending if your decision is dependant on quality or price then I would either recommend having a look around the sales for a cheapy one (like say Samsung), or look at the new Panasonic one that's just under £200. I think my JVC one has come down to somewhere around £150 now. JVC also do a S-VHS one if you want to go down that route.

Whether you need two Scarts depends on the model and how you want to use it. You can use one scart if like me, you just use either the VCR or the DVD, but if you want to do both I believe you would have to have two scarts. I personally use a scart for the VCR and component for the DVD... though I have used just a scart in the past.

You can loop your freeview box through it if you wish.

31-05-2004, 22:32

I think Argos do a Hitachi one which is meant to be very good.

I'm a muppet!
Alex

jcx · 01-06-2004, 00:07

My experience of these DVD / VCR combis is that they are quite unreliable. You also can't tape a DVD, should you want to do that. I would get a cheap VCR for £70 ish then a fairly decent DVD player which will probably come to less than a combi anyway. You are probably best off with a Panasonic or Toshiba if you insist, but don't spend too much.

It depends on the model, but I doubt you can record somthing and watch a DVD.

01-06-2004, 00:54

I.M.O. Yes individual machines are better, especially to pop DVD - VHS.
You have to watch out for Macrovision of whatever when you copy DVD-VHS

I'm a muppet!
Alex

Kevo · 03-06-2004, 15:12

Although none will allow you to record macrovision protected DVDs, only some will allow you to record non-protected discs, i.e. Home movie DVD-Rs.

Depending on your needs, or 'future needs' bear this in mind.

JohnW · 03-06-2004, 16:44

I got the Panasonic NVVP31EBS Multiregion from MultizoneDVD for about £190 (overnight delivery). I have been very pleased with it. Obviously if you are looking at Home Cinema, it's not the ideal kit, but for an average living room, where you don't want too many boxes under your TV, it's just the job.

BTW You can record on tape and watch a DVD at the same time

rich_jtg · 03-06-2004, 22:10

Cool!

Panasonic videos are some of the best... should serve you well!

DerekMcV · 05-06-2004, 23:35

I also bought the Panasonic NVVP31EBS over 6 months ago & have been well pleased. Seperates are ok if you have the space but I had a Sky, DVD & VCR & wanted to buy a freeview box. The combi DVD/VCR makes the connections very simple
Combi --- Sky ---TV AV1
Freeview -- TV AV2.

18-12-2003, 00:41	#1
DerekMcV Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 850	Video Recorder / DVD Combinations - Advise please Thinking of buying a Video Recorder / DVD Combination box. Anyone recommend one. Can you record & watch a DVD at the same time? Also do you need two scarts on your TV, one for the DVD output & one for the VCR? Can you pass through the scarts i.e. Freeview STB -- DVD/VCR Combo -- TV?

28-05-2004, 05:29	#2
Graceland Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: TCB@B/Ferry.Left The Building Posts: 7,641	Oh dear Argos has a sale and Iam tempted to get one but what one. Any help or advice. Thanks in advance.

29-05-2004, 00:35	#3
Fred Smith Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Reading Posts: 2,758	Usually the DVD and VCR both output through one Scart socket. FYI my local Safeways have a Boksonic(?) DVD / VCR combo for £70 was £120.

29-05-2004, 10:45	#4
rich_jtg Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK Posts: 762	I have a JVC one, which I've had about a year now. Although I have been warey of 'combi' anything in the past, I have to say that the unit has been very good. The VCR makes good quality recordings compared to my old Sony VCR, and the DVD player gives a fantastic vibrant image. The reason I chose the JVC was because it has component outputs. Depending if your decision is dependant on quality or price then I would either recommend having a look around the sales for a cheapy one (like say Samsung), or look at the new Panasonic one that's just under £200. I think my JVC one has come down to somewhere around £150 now. JVC also do a S-VHS one if you want to go down that route. Whether you need two Scarts depends on the model and how you want to use it. You can use one scart if like me, you just use either the VCR or the DVD, but if you want to do both I believe you would have to have two scarts. I personally use a scart for the VCR and component for the DVD... though I have used just a scart in the past. You can loop your freeview box through it if you wish.

31-05-2004, 22:32	#5
kentboy Posts: n/a	I think Argos do a Hitachi one which is meant to be very good. I'm a muppet! Alex

01-06-2004, 00:07	#6
jcx Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: UK Posts: 321	My experience of these DVD / VCR combis is that they are quite unreliable. You also can't tape a DVD, should you want to do that. I would get a cheap VCR for £70 ish then a fairly decent DVD player which will probably come to less than a combi anyway. You are probably best off with a Panasonic or Toshiba if you insist, but don't spend too much. It depends on the model, but I doubt you can record somthing and watch a DVD.

01-06-2004, 00:54	#7
kentboy Posts: n/a	I.M.O. Yes individual machines are better, especially to pop DVD - VHS. You have to watch out for Macrovision of whatever when you copy DVD-VHS I'm a muppet! Alex

03-06-2004, 15:12	#8
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	Although none will allow you to record macrovision protected DVDs, only some will allow you to record non-protected discs, i.e. Home movie DVD-Rs. Depending on your needs, or 'future needs' bear this in mind.

03-06-2004, 16:44	#9
JohnW Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Loughborough Posts: 502	I got the Panasonic NVVP31EBS Multiregion from MultizoneDVD for about £190 (overnight delivery). I have been very pleased with it. Obviously if you are looking at Home Cinema, it's not the ideal kit, but for an average living room, where you don't want too many boxes under your TV, it's just the job. BTW You can record on tape and watch a DVD at the same time

03-06-2004, 22:10	#10
rich_jtg Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK Posts: 762	Cool! Panasonic videos are some of the best... should serve you well!

05-06-2004, 23:35	#11
DerekMcV Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 850	I also bought the Panasonic NVVP31EBS over 6 months ago & have been well pleased. Seperates are ok if you have the space but I had a Sky, DVD & VCR & wanted to buy a freeview box. The combi DVD/VCR makes the connections very simple Combi --- Sky ---TV AV1 Freeview -- TV AV2.

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Video Recorder / DVD Combinations - Advise please