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Bare bones VCR/DVD recorder combo?

post #1 of 10
1/26/09 at 6:38am
Thread Starter 
The lone VCR in our house recently died and my I'm considering replacing with a VCR/DVD recorder. The VCR was rarely used but we do still have a few VCR tapes my daughter likes to watch and thought if I'm going to get another that the DVD recorder might come in handy.

Why would I need a combo model with a built in tuner? I'm guess this is for a setup with a TV that doesn't have a tuner? I would think I could route the incoming ditial SAT signal from the DVR directly to the TV and then from TV to the combo unit's input & output via RCA or component cable.

I see other threads asking for similar advice but they seem to be looking for models more in the $200 range. This will be very lightly used and I hate to throw too much money at something used 10 times a year. Any suggestions on a bare bones model < $100? (assuming the tuner isn't needed).

Thanks
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post #2 of 10
1/26/09 at 7:22am
Check out Amazon. There are a couple of tunerless DVDR/VCRs for around $100, maybe a tad more, like up to $140. Less if you can stand a refurbished model. I saw Sony and Toshiba, and a bunch of lower end models like Sylvania.

They'll have RCA composite and S-Video inputs. Recorders haven't had component inputs in years.

The advantage of a tuner is for recording one channel while watching another, but if that doesn't interest you and you use a sat box, there are a few tunerless models here and there.
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post #3 of 10
1/26/09 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
Here's a few I've found. I understand "you get what you pay for" but again...it will be lightly used so not looking for something too expensive. Any comments appreciated.

Magnavox ZV420MW8 (refurb) $66
Magnavox MWR20V6 (refurb) $95
Toshiba SD-V295 (refurb) $63
Emerson EWR20VG $80
Daewoo/Trutech (model?) $75
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post #4 of 10
1/26/09 at 6:28pm
You would be better off with a unit with a tuner. That way, you can run the cable first to the unit, then to the TV. This will let you record one thing, while watching another. Otherwise, you can only record what is on your TV, and if you turn away from a channel, that will show up in your recording.
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post #5 of 10
1/26/09 at 9:22pm
Sony still sells the SLV-D380P tuner-less DVD/VCR combination machine, but the DVD side is a player only, not a recorder. The VCR side records and plays. Under a hundred bucks, good workhorse machine if all you really need is a VCR. My source says the factory has stopped making them, and when current stock is gone, it's gone. But still showing on sony.com as available direct from Sony.
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post #6 of 10
1/27/09 at 7:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kjbawc View Post

You would be better off with a unit with a tuner. That way, you can run the cable first to the unit, then to the TV. This will let you record one thing, while watching another. Otherwise, you can only record what is on your TV, and if you turn away from a channel, that will show up in your recording.

The sat receiver is a dual tuner DVR so I'm OK to watch one program while recording another. The DVD recorder will be used only to copy old VHS tapes over to DVD. Appreciate the suggestion.
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post #7 of 10
1/27/09 at 5:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wish View Post

Why would I need a combo model with a built in tuner? I'm guess this is for a setup with a TV that doesn't have a tuner? I would think I could route the incoming ditial SAT signal from the DVR directly to the TV and then from TV to the combo unit's input & output via RCA or component cable.

If you're just dubbing tapes, no, you don't need a tuner. But, the above certainly sounded as if you would be recording from the TV.
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post #8 of 10
1/28/09 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kjbawc View Post

If you're just dubbing tapes, no, you don't need a tuner. But, the above certainly sounded as if you would be recording from the TV.

Apologies. A better way to put it is that dubbing is the reason for the purchase. However if I buy one then I'm sure gonna hook it up to record something from the DVR if it's a keeper program!

No comments/recommendation on the 5 I listed above? Bueller? Anyone?
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post #9 of 10
1/28/09 at 4:56pm
Many people on AVS are probably more the AV enthusiasts so you may not find anyone who's familiar with any of the items listed. Don't get me wrong we do get many questions about sub $100 DVDRs, just not a lot of actual follow up posts on them.
I'm not familiar with any on your list, but if I had to choose one I'd probably look at the Toshiba. While recent Toshibas aren't up to the build quality of older ones I don't think they're junk either. Some people report the recent Toshibas are a good value and I'd have no reason to doubt that.
Hopefully you'll get some first hand answers to your list, I just thought I'd add my 2 cents
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post #10 of 10
1/28/09 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjeff View Post

Many people on AVS are probably more the AV enthusiasts so you may not find anyone who's familiar with any of the items listed. Don't get me wrong we do get many questions about sub $100 DVDRs, just not a lot of actual follow up posts on them.

I hear you. I don't skimp on my AV equipment but this is one that I'm OK going that route. It's going on a secondat TV and will be used very little.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jjeff View Post

I'm not familiar with any on your list, but if I had to choose one I'd probably look at the Toshiba. While recent Toshibas aren't up to the build quality of older ones I don't think they're junk either. Some people report the recent Toshibas are a good value and I'd have no reason to doubt that.
Hopefully you'll get some first hand answers to your list, I just thought I'd add my 2 cents

Thanks for the recommendation!
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