DVD/VCR Combo reviews, info please?

[Freedom]

I want to buy a new dvd/ vcr combo player.

This is what I have:
TV: 2 years old, surround sound/dolby compatible, HD
Home Speaker system: 1 years old, surround sound, digital dolby

My current DVD/VCR combo is NOT dolby / surround sound. None of my VCR tapes are either, but my DVDs are. Plus, I can't leave it all hooked up and watch TV, because the sound goes through the combo and I lose the dolby, so I have to leave the combo disconnected and, when we want to watch something, I have to go attach and shift wires first.

None of my current equipment is Blu Ray.

Questions:
Do I buy a new combo unit that IS Blu Ray, or will that give me new issues?
I don't really NEED Blu Ray, don't have any dvd's of that sort. (Blu Ray came out after VCRs were old, so none of those are). Not sure what Blu Ray is, a feature (so I can ignore it) or the new technology (I may want to get it).

What else do I need to know, in picking a new combo unit?

Thanks!

[redbird]

All I can tell you from my experience is that DVD/VCR combo's are not easy to find. I looked for one but found I had very little choice, in fact there was only one available and I didn't like it. I will stay with my old VCR which still works well, I have two of them connected to both TV's. I also have my DVD player connected to the larger TV. Since everything works well right now, I will just keep and use what I have. Good luck in finding what you want. Eventually I will order the DVR from my cable company and not bother with the VCR anymore.

[Freedom]

I already checked on Google, there were several combo options to choose from.

[moosmom]

I don't like buying anything combo because when one thing goes (like the DVD player) you're stuck with just the VCR working. JMO

[Marigold2]

VCR are hopelessly out of date, I don't believe they make any more tapes. Blue Ray is a DVD but with 6 times the sharpness. The audio is a couple of 100 x better.
Invest in a Blue Ray of medium price and you won't go wrong. About $200.00.

[Freedom]

Marigold, I have several hundred VCR tapes, not giving up on them, we watch them over and over and over and . . . . .

I only have 6 DVDs and do not plan on buying any more of them.

[Alysser]

My parents have one. I am not sure of any specifics, but they bought it to put old home videos onto DVDs. I will have to ask them of where they got it. I believe it was Costco, but I could be wrong. We were able to watch the original Star Wars VHS on it recently which was AWESOME.

[happylabs]

Yes, VCR's are outdated. I didn't even know they still sold them.

[Lady's Human]

Yes, VCR's are outdated. I didn't even know they still sold them.

Yes, VCRs are somewhat dated, however, there are a whole bunch of people (myself included) who don't feel like buying a ton of movies on DVD to replace the VCR collection, and in some cases those movies aren't available.

We have a sony DVD/VCR which has lasted for quite a while, however, it appears to be no longer made.

[Alysser]

Okay, just asked my parents.

They've had a year already and they are happy with it. They bought it at Wal-mart for about $200-$250, I just don't know about the brand. They mostly brought it to transfer VHS to DVD and they saved so much money because of it. But we also have a lot of movies on VHS, and it is nice to have.

Walmart appears to have them:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search...h_constraint=0

[Freedom]

WOW thanks Alicia, that is even more than I expected, a link and everything~! Will be trying for one this weekend, as Massachusetts is having a sales tax holiday for Saturday and Sunday.

[Karen]

Getting them transferred over to DVDs would be a good thing, too, as VCR tapes DO wear out over time, and DVD is a more stable medium!

[Cataholic]

Getting them transferred over to DVDs would be a good thing, too, as VCR tapes DO wear out over time, and DVD is a more stable medium!

The cost involved in that would be horrendous. Freedom has 100s...best bet would be too find a cheap used VCR some place, and buy one DVD at a time, as they break. Though, in the 30 years I have had tapes? None have broken. LOL. Some of my favorite work out tapes are on VCR format...anyone remember the original Reebok Step? Gosh I love that thing!

[Grace]

as Massachusetts is having a sales tax holiday for Saturday and Sunday.

I remember when Massachusetts did not have a sales tax. Going into Filene's Bargain Basement, purchasing an item for 99¢ - no tax

[pomtzu]

I remember when Massachusetts did not have a sales tax. Going into Filene's Bargain Basement, purchasing an item for 99¢ - no tax

Really?? Even I don't remember that.

I love living in the tax free state of Delaware. On the rare occasions that I do travel out of state and happen to make a purchase - it really throws me off. The only sales tax we pay here is a one time tax on the purchase of a motor vehicle, and that is based on the price of it. We also have no luxury or personal property tax.