The Basics:  DVD-VCR Combos

DVD-VCR combos' continuing popularity suggests that despite the overwhelming acceptance of DVD as the home video format of choice, we are not yet prepared to abandon our antiquated VHS tapes. If you have a large VHS library or limited space in your home entertainment center, DVD-VCR combination players give you the best of the old and the new (video formats, that is).

These compact devices are usually no larger than a standalone VCR, so they save valuable space in your component rack. With one less unit to connect, DVD-VCR combos also reduce the wire spaghetti in your electronics setup, and you'll have fewer remote controls on your coffee table. In addition, you can save a few bucks, as a combination player generally costs less than you'd pay for the same features in a separate VCR and DVD player.

Basic DVD-VCR combination players have rudimentary DVD playback functions along with VHS recording and playback, and if you just need a simple unit to watch movies and home recordings on an analog TV, this is probably sufficient for you. Higher-end models include progressive scan DVD playback, advanced digital connections and even DVD recording. Some manufacturers are adding hard drives and digital video recorder (DVR) functions to their top-shelf models, so you can have all of your video recording options packed into one space-saving unit.

All DVD-VCR combos can record your favorite TV shows to VHS tape, just like a normal standalone VCR, and they make it simple to transfer non-copyright-protected content from DVD to VHS. If you purchase a unit with DVD recording, you can also quickly archive your VHS content on much longer-lived DVD, in addition to recording TV straight to disc. Adding a hard drive to the mix gives you DVR features like an electronic program guide (EPG), the ability to pause live TV and time-slip features, where you can watch a recorded show while the end of the show continues to record. Content saved to the hard drive can be transferred to DVD or VHS at any time.

How to Shop

While a DVD-VCR combination player offers plenty of convenience once it's up and running, there are a lot of factors to consider when shopping for a suitable unit. You should be aware of the features you need (and want!) for both a VCR and a DVD player, and perhaps even a DVD recorder and DVR as well.

The DVD side of any combination player offers the standard playback options for DVD, such as a pause and multiple-speed forward and reverse scans. Better-equipped units enable you to bookmark favorite scenes on one or more DVD, and the disc resume feature remembers where you stopped watching a disc and allows you to later resume playback at the same point. You can even activate parental controls to manage what discs your children can and can't watch.

If you have a digital or HD-capable TV, or if you plan to upgrade in the near future, you should opt for a DVD-VCR combo with a progressive scan output. Progressive scan delivers sharper, flicker-free DVD playback that standard analog TVs can't support.

Up-conversion DVD players have become very popular, and this feature is now appearing in DVD-VCR combination players as well. When connected to an HDTV via an HDMI digital-to-digital cable, an up-conversion combo player outputs DVD content at an HD-comparable 720p or 1,080i. Keep in mind that while these output levels have the same resolutions as high-definition content, they don't add any details not found on the original DVD. Thus, up-conversion DVD-VCR combos can't be considered to display DVD at HD levels.

For sound that matches the picture quality, look for a combo player with optical or coaxial digital audio outputs, which let you route Dolby Digital and DTS signals to a home theater receiver and speaker array. With this configuration, you can enjoy a full surround-sound accompaniment to your movies.

If you are considering a DVD-VCR combo that can record as well as play DVD, make sure you do your homework first. These units can record to as many as five different writable DVD formats. DVD-R and DVD+R can be recorded just once, while DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM are rewriteable, so you can record and rerecord on these discs just as you would with a VHS tape. Each disc type offers its own advantages and limitations, so choosing the right format depends a lot on how you intend to use your DVD-VCR combo's DVD recording functions. For example, if you want to watch recorded TV content on your laptop, make sure your DVD-VCR combo records to a format your laptop's DVD drive can handle.

Several advanced DVD-VCR combos also add a DVR hard drive with the capacity to store hours of TV programming. A DVR enables TiVo-like functions such as pausing live TV, instant replays of missed lines of dialogue and the ability to watch a recorded program while another show (or in some cases, the end of the same show) records. A DVR's EPG makes scheduling recordings a painless process, and you can quickly transfer your favorite recordings to DVD or VHS for archiving or sharing with friends. Since the major appeal of any DVD-VCR combination player is to save space, choosing a unit with three or more functions will create even more extra room in your home entertainment setup.

Don't forget about the VCR side of your DVD-VCR combination. For starters, the number of video heads largely dictates the level of a VCR's performance. The cheapest combos have just two heads for recording and playback, while better-equipped models are fitted with four heads. A four-head VCR not only delivers a higher-quality picture during tape playback, it also shows a clearer picture during freeze frames and slow-motion/fast-forward scanning. More advanced 19-micron heads are in relatively common use today, and they provide improved picture quality for recording and playback at slower tape speeds. A VCR with 19-micron heads will generally perform better during any kind of recording, but the difference is especially evident when viewing recordings made at Extended Play settings.

Most DVD-VCR combination players offer a choice of video outputs. HDMI connections are the most advanced, but these are only found on up-conversion players and high-end TVs and home theater receivers. Component video connections can carry progressive scan signals, and they are present on most DVD-VCR combos and a majority of new TVs. Virtually all combos and TVs have basic S-video and composite video connections, so if all else fails, you can use these to link your components.

Combo players are available in a wide range of configurations, so it is important to determine your desired feature set before you go shopping. No matter what your needs, however, there is sure to be a DVD-VCR combination player for you.