Peter
02-07-2005, 05:15 PM
Hi folks,
Thought I'd share my findings, in case anyone else is looking for the same thing.
My old Apex was always having trouble reading some of my RW dvd's, and the remote sucks! So off I went on the quest to find a combo player.
(May as well replace the VCR).
Took some discs with me to the stores to try out. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
The players don't have to be connected to a tv, as the on-screen display will usually tell you if it's reading or not.
Decided on a Toshiba. But, after setting it all up, reading the manual etc. realized that if I get a power outage, you have to re-program in the VCR timed recordings! On top of that, you have to 'enable' the thing to record (power off, I think). So if you forget to power off, then it won't record.
Hell, I ain't taking the fallout from the Missus, if I forget. So back it goes.
Next up, a Samsung unit. Set it all up and tried to watch a pre-recorded DVD+R with the kids and the thing started ok, but kept 'stuttering'. Ended up using the Apex to watch the movie.
Tried a few other discs and the same thing. Over the last year I have used a few diff. DVD brands, and I couldn't get any to rub smoothly except, ironically, the +RW's!
So much for that - back it went too.
Went to the Sony Store and their combo couldn't play anything. Funny thing was, their bottom of the line, DVD only, could play them ok.
Bye.
Finally went to Future Shop, and got the guy to hook up a Panasonic model. Seemed to work great, so I took it home and have had no problems to date. Plays +R's and +RW's.
Plus I don't have to power it off for the record feature to kick in.
It even keeps time and settings if the power is cut - what a concept!
The remote is also a Universal, which is somewhat ok. (The Samsung was not).
Model number is:
Panasonic PVD4744S Progressive Scan 1-Disc DVD/VCR Combo Player
Funny thing was, it was reduced by $30 to $200 (Canadian).
But on the back of the box was an old price of $175. It was valid until Jan 04 (must have been a Boxing day special). So they gave me the old sale price - sweet!
So, if you're in the market for this, it's a keeper!
Thought I'd share my findings, in case anyone else is looking for the same thing.
My old Apex was always having trouble reading some of my RW dvd's, and the remote sucks! So off I went on the quest to find a combo player.
(May as well replace the VCR).
Took some discs with me to the stores to try out. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
The players don't have to be connected to a tv, as the on-screen display will usually tell you if it's reading or not.
Decided on a Toshiba. But, after setting it all up, reading the manual etc. realized that if I get a power outage, you have to re-program in the VCR timed recordings! On top of that, you have to 'enable' the thing to record (power off, I think). So if you forget to power off, then it won't record.
Hell, I ain't taking the fallout from the Missus, if I forget. So back it goes.
Next up, a Samsung unit. Set it all up and tried to watch a pre-recorded DVD+R with the kids and the thing started ok, but kept 'stuttering'. Ended up using the Apex to watch the movie.
Tried a few other discs and the same thing. Over the last year I have used a few diff. DVD brands, and I couldn't get any to rub smoothly except, ironically, the +RW's!
So much for that - back it went too.
Went to the Sony Store and their combo couldn't play anything. Funny thing was, their bottom of the line, DVD only, could play them ok.
Bye.
Finally went to Future Shop, and got the guy to hook up a Panasonic model. Seemed to work great, so I took it home and have had no problems to date. Plays +R's and +RW's.
Plus I don't have to power it off for the record feature to kick in.
It even keeps time and settings if the power is cut - what a concept!
The remote is also a Universal, which is somewhat ok. (The Samsung was not).
Model number is:
Panasonic PVD4744S Progressive Scan 1-Disc DVD/VCR Combo Player
Funny thing was, it was reduced by $30 to $200 (Canadian).
But on the back of the box was an old price of $175. It was valid until Jan 04 (must have been a Boxing day special). So they gave me the old sale price - sweet!
So, if you're in the market for this, it's a keeper!