Zenth XBV343 DVD/VCR Combo - Short Review

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The Bottom Line

Overall, the Zenith XBV343 is a great example of a good performing DVD/VCR combo unit with a very reasonable price. For less than $150, you get a DVD player with progressive scan, compatibility with most recordable DVD formats, as well a 4-Head VHS HiFi VCR with Quasi-SVHS playback. This is definitely a unit to consider if you are purchasing a basic DVD player, but also need to replace your aging VCR.

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Pros

• Built-in RF modulator for both DVD and VCR section for connections to older TVs
• Plays DVD+R, +RW, -R, and -RW discs
• Progressive Scan for connection to digital televsions

Cons

• Long DVD loading time
• Tight VHS cassette door
• No direct number input for VCR timer setup - need to scroll date, channel, and time info

Description

• Single tray DVD player with progressive scan output.
• Playback compatibility for DVD-video, DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW discs as well as CD/CDR/CDRW/MP-CD/JPEG-CD.
• Digital optical and digital coaxial outputs for Dolby Digital/DTS audio.
• Built-in Virtual Surround for creating surround sound effect with just a two-channel stereo system.
• Built-in RF modulator for both the DVD player and the VCR section.
• 4-head HiFi Strereo VCR with Quasi-SVHS playback and 19 micron heads for better EP tape playback.
• High-speed fast forward and rewind.
• Front and Rear AV input connections.
• Cable-ready TV tuner
• One button DVD-to-VCR copy function for copying non-copyguarded DVDs.

Guide Review - Zenth XBV343 DVD/VCR Combo - Short Review

How do you replace a setup with a VCR, DVD player, separate RF modulator, hooked to a cable box and 19-inch TV with just an cable/antenna connection? One practical way is to buy a DVD/VCR combo.

I settled on the Zenith XBV343 DVD/VCR combo for the task. I was able to get rid of all the cable connection mess from the above setup and with just one cable feed from the wall, through the cable box, to the Zenith XBV343 DVDVCR combo and then to the television. The result; a neat, well-organized, simple setup.

Although picture quality, using the RF modulator output, was more limiting, I found the picture to be more than adequate for that purpose. In additon, the VCR played my S-VHS recordings. Its Quasi-SVHS playback was quite adequate, as was the standard VHS performance.

Another surprise; the DVD player was able to play both DVD+RW and DVD-R discs with no problem (according to Zenith's specs, the XBV343 also plays DVD-RW and DVD+R discs, but I didn't have any recordings in those formats to test), as well as being able to play both CD-R/RW discs.

In addition, I also connected the unit in a full home theater setup and found that its Dolby Digital/DTS and Progressive Scan to meet basic expectations.

In conclusion, there are definitely higher performance DVD players for use in home theater, however, the Zenith XBV343 provides the consumer with a good unit that can be used with just a basic television to a full home theater. The Zenith XBV343 is worth considering.

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