Not sure if you really want to toss away your old video tapes? Get yourself one of those “transit” combos: DVD VCR recorders.
DVD VCR recorders are great for using both new and old media to record and playback. You may choose this combination for various reasons, but the best we could think of is owning a wide video tape archive that you can’t get rid of right-away. At the same time, you may be anxious to record on DVD support for better video and audio quality.
This combo unit was easily adopted by many manufacturers. We chose to speak about the 9 best companies in this niche and their top products.
DMR-E75VS from Panasonic
The DVD recorder burns in both DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM formats. The unit uses progressive scan playback. It reads CD-R/W discs and MP3 files.
You can record from tape to DVD and back. The DMR-E75VS features two TV tuners that allow you to record TV shows simultaneously to video tape and DVD support.
With the “time slip” feature of DVD-RAM you can record and playback at the same time.
Connections: composite, component and S-video. It lacks a FireWire input.
GoVideo DVD VCR combos
GoVideo makes several DVD VCR combos, but the two listed below are their best rated.
- Go Video VR3930 writes in DVD±R/RW formats; has a built-in TV tuner and uses progressive scan output and virtual surround sound for playback. It lacks an IR blaster (thus automatic switch between channels).
- Rio (Go Video) VR4940 has all the features of the previous model, but also a MyDVD feature that you can use to set playback preferences and EZ play to help you skip commercials and trailers. They both have a FireWire port.
JVC’s DR-MV1S
This DVD VCR combo supports DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM formats. It features two TV tuners that let you record two shows at the same time. It playbacks in progressive scan mode. You can enjoy the multi brand remote and the FireWire port.
Pioneer DVR-RT-300-S
Two way recording (from VHS tape to DVD-R/RW media and vice versa), “Pure Cinema” progressive scan, VBR (Variable Bit Rate) Recording, VCR Plus+ timer programming and Graphical User’s Interface — clearly this is a fully featured product.
Sansui VRDVD 2005
This combo is an affordable classic, that only writes in the DVD-R/RW format, but that’s OK as long as you have your progressive scan output and incorporated TV tuner. You can transfer your favorite video taped archive to DVD-R (as long as it is not write-protected), and why not, from DVD back to video tape. According to some consumer reviews, this unit seems to have a trick: in order to be able to finalize a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc, you have to avoid filling it up with data. This bug caused many turn-backs to resellers.
Among the key features of this Toshiba DVD/VCR combo we mention multi drive playback and recording, DVD-RAM and DVD-R/RW compatibility, incorporated TV tuner, progressive scan viewing, FireWire port, support of MP3 files and digital photos. But there’s one hold back from the manufacturer: some CD-R/CD-RW discs, as well as some WMA, MP3 and JPEG file discs, may be incompatible with this unit. The “picture in picture” feature will let you watch TV and a DVD at the same time. There’s no IR blaster on this unit.
Sony RDR-VX 500
This Sony combo is DVD±R/RW compatible; you can transfer video from your camcorder to DVD support, directly, via FireWire, record shows from TV using the internal TV tuner, and use the “parental control” feature over live shows and recordings.
Samsung DVD-VR 300
Their multi-format recording means everything except DVD+R/RW. But Samsung’s product is not to toss away, as the RAM format will give you more freedom in accessing your recordings and more editing features. Moreover, through FireWire port, you can connect your camcorder directly to the DVD drive.
Sharp DV-RW 350 U
The DV-RW 350 U includes a TV tuner. The editing functions allow you to erase scenes you don’t like and add chapters and subtitles to the recorded material. This product would be less convenient for those who want to transfer family footage from their camcorder to DVD support. The DVD drive burns/plays DVD-R/RW formats, features analog inputs and progressive scan outputs.
Zenith XBR with Two Versions
Zenith XBR came up in two versions, XBR-411 and XBR-413. They’re both eligible but the first model writes only in DVD-R/RW format; it can playback DVD+R/RW format though. With both versions you can record simultaneously on DVD and VCR, and you have some basic editing functions. The XBR-413 writes both DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW. Also note the digital-video input and progressive scan output.