Review of DVD and VCR players.

DVD and VCR players . If you want my honest opinion (and I'll give it to you) DO NOT buy a DVD/VCR combo player. I know, I know. You've spent 20 years building up a VHS movie collection that rivals your local video rental store. Or, you own a VHS camcorder and all of your home movies are in VHS. Well then here is what you are going to do.

1. Buy a cheap VCR (they are all dirt cheap nowadays) to be able to play all of your VHS tapes.
2. Buy yourself a nice new progressive scan DVD player.

What's the difference you ask? The audio and video quality in a combined DVD/VCR player suffers noticeably because of the compromises the two formats have to make to be twinned together.

You are better to buy a cheap VCR (if you already have one that works don't bother) because it'll most likely sit and collect dust in 2-3 years from now. Your new DVD player on the other hand will deliver top quality audio and video performance because it is not saddled with the inferior VHS format. Also, it will be the standard for home audio/video for the next 7-10 years.

Option #3 that I didn't provide from the list above is to purchase a DVD recorder. Prices are lower than they have ever been and the technology is one that will drive VHS into the history books within 2 years. Most of your old VHS movies can be transferred to DVD with its much more compact, reliable and convenient format.

After all my warnings, many will still want to research and buy DVD and VCR players (hybrids). It is my job to provide you with meaningful and valuable reviews, and that's what I'll do.

If you are going to buy a DVD/VCR combo unit at least look over all of the options and features available on the market for that player type. If you would like to see a comprehensive list of models available, and their features, functions, and prices, click to see all DVD and VCR players.

If I absolutely MUST pick one that you should consider above the rest (I don't want to, but I will) I would go with the JVC HR-XVC20U Hi-Fi DVD-VCR Combo.

Or the Toshiba SDV391 DVD/VCR Combination Player.

Another solid choice in the DVD and VCR players field is the Samsung DVDV3500 DVD/CD Player with VHS HiFi Combo.

Again I don't mean to harp but I would like to dissuade most from buying a VCR/DVD combo player unit. DVD and VCR players are technologies that are light years apart and should not mix. Manufacturers of DVD and VCR players are simply trying to take advantage of those people who are clinging to the old video format. Don't be taken advantage of in supporting an inferior technology (VHS). Lead, don't follow!