Zenith XBV243 Dual Deck DVD-VCR Combo

Zenith XBV243 Dual Deck DVD-VCR Combo

Product Description
Amazon.com Review
The XBV243 handles all your movie and music needs: VHS cassette recording and playback, superb DVD performance, fast and easy spinning of MP3 CDs. This combo unit saves space and simplifies entertainment hookups. The XBV243 plays CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, MP3 CDs, and standard DVD-Videos, from which you can easily make VHS copies (though copy-protected commercial DVDs cannot be recorded). It even has front-panel audio-video jacks for ready camcorder and video game access.

As an MP3 player, the XBV243 performs better than average. We were impressed with its ability to read MP3 discs that give other players trouble, and the navigation between files and folders is intuitive and fast (it even lets you queue one song while another plays). The one downside is, the onscreen display shows only rudimentary folder and file names. If you know what's on the discs, it's a breeze; otherwise, be prepared to do a little file fishing.

The DVD player has a typically clear, strong picture, especially through its component-video outputs (for use with a compatible TV). Features include 4x and 16x movable zoom, simulated surround sound, parental locks, and the ability to receive upgrades through CD-ROM. The VCR section offers four heads (for clear slow-motion and stop-action features) and stereo sound. We found VHS images to be a little less focused than images from other combo units. Its tracking is excellent, however, delivering stable images from old and new tapes alike, with none of the gritty audio noise associated with excessive tracking maneuvers. Commercial skip works well. The deck's 19-micron video heads maintain clarity during recording and playback in EP (extended play) mode, and auto clock set maintains the correct time and even adjusts for daylight savings--perfect!

For the simplest hookup with a TV, you can use a single RCA composite-video connection to handle both DVD and VCR outputs. If you want a higher-quality connection from the DVD player, you can use a component- or S-video cable to an additional input on a TV (the VCR image requires a composite-video or RF connection with a TV). A coaxial digital-audio output feeds a surround-sound signal to a Dolby Digital- or DTS-decoding audio-video receiver. Packed with the combo unit are an S-video cable, composite-video cable, RF cable, stereo analog-audio interconnect, two AAA batteries, and a user's manual. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

Easy setup, two-in-one convenience

Plays hard-to-read MP3 discs

Good MP3 file and folder navigation

Fast DVD and CD access times

Excellent VHS tracking, fast rewind

Flexible setup options

Small but nicely configured remote

Cons:

No file names from MP3 tracks

Soft VHS picture with slightly muted colors

Loading a VHS tape interrupts DVD or CD playback

Does not support JPEG image files

Product Description:
XBV243 is a state-of-the-art DVD/VCR player. It combines a nifty design and a high functionality with the comfort you need. XBV243 features various playback options, MP3 decoding, component video output, 4x and 16x moveable zoom, Hi-Fi stereo, front A/V jacks, auto clock set system, and more.

Zenith XBV243 Dual Deck DVD-VCR Combo

Average customer rating:

Pleased with this product for over one year
A disappointment
Its ok, but not for the money
The Quality Goes in Before the Name Goes On...
Very pleased for the money

Zenith XBV243 Dual Deck DVD-VCR Combo

Manufacturer: Zenith
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

Monster Cable IDL100-2M Interlink Datalink 100 6.56-Foot Low-Loss S/PDIF Style Digital Coaxial Cable
Monster Cable MP AV 800 PowerCenter AV 800 with Surge Protection
Monster Cable MV3CV-2M Monster Video 3 2-meter High-Resolution Component Video Cable
Monster Cable MVSV3-2M Monster Super Video 3 Double-Shielded S-Video Cable (6.56 Feet)
Tripplite Super7 Protect It 7out Block 7ft-cord 2350j 25k-ins Emi/rfi

Product Features:

Plays DVD-Video, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 (CD-R/CD-RW), and VHS cassettes
Onscreen MP3 file and folder navigation for easy access to the tracks you want to hear
Coaxial digital audio output routes Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound to a compatible AV receiver
Component-video, composite-video, S-video terminals and RF output
Hi-fi stereo VHS performance with 19-micron video heads for clear recordings in EP mode

ASIN: B000065BNZ

Product Description

XBV243 is a state-of-the-art DVD/VCR player. It combines a nifty design and a high functionality with the comfort you need. XBV243 features various playback options, MP3 decoding, component video output, 4x and 16x moveable zoom, Hi-Fi stereo, front A/V jacks, auto clock set system, and more.

Amazon.com Review

The XBV243 handles all your movie and music needs: VHS cassette recording and playback, superb DVD performance, fast and easy spinning of MP3 CDs. This combo unit saves space and simplifies entertainment hookups. The XBV243 plays CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, MP3 CDs, and standard DVD-Videos, from which you can easily make VHS copies (though copy-protected commercial DVDs cannot be recorded). It even has front-panel audio-video jacks for ready camcorder and video game access.

Pros:

Easy setup, two-in-one convenience
Plays hard-to-read MP3 discs
Good MP3 file and folder navigation
Fast DVD and CD access times
Excellent VHS tracking, fast rewind
Flexible setup options
Small but nicely configured remote

Cons:

No file names from MP3 tracks
Soft VHS picture with slightly muted colors
Loading a VHS tape interrupts DVD or CD playback
Does not support JPEG image files

Amazon.com Product Description

The Zenith XBV243 combo drive lets you enjoy DVDs and VHS tapes in one clean, simple system. The DVD player features disc playback of DVD-Video, CD-Audio, CD-R, and CD-RW discs. It also has digital audio output for both DTS and Dolby Digital, MP3 decoding, simulated surround sound, variable hi-speed scan (2x/4x/16x/100x [fwd/rev]), 4x and 16x zoom, parental control, and upgradable software. The VCR features a four-head hi-fi stereo, an auto clock-set system, auto daylight savings adjust, channel display, a real time counter, instant recording, commercial skip, and a 3-second power backup time.

Jacks include component video out, S-Video out, coaxial digital audio out, RF in, RF out, variable audio in, variable audio out, composite video in, composite video out, and front A/V.

The Zenith XBV243 is backed by a one-year warranty for parts, and a 90-day warranty for labor.

Customer Reviews:

Pleased with this product for over one year.......2004-02-07

Fine product for the money. With an extensive library of old VHS tapes, and kids who are enthralled with all the new DVDs available, I turned to this unit almost one year ago. It has performed flawlessly. It is a no-brainer to program, which is good because I don't have a brain for these things normally.

I have used it in conjunction with both my old analog camcorder, and a newer digital model. Fine.

I have used it without cable attached, and with cable running through it. Fine.

VERY IMPORTANTLY...it is easy enough for my kids (under 10) to use it without Dad's help. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT...Mom can use it without Dad's hinderance.

If anyone breaks it now, after one year, well it doesn't owe me anything. Good choice all-in-all.

A disappointment.......2003-05-14

I thought all dvd/vcr combos were probably pretty much the same. I had a Sharp which I liked but needed to get another for my the teens' tv room. The Zenith was on sale. I don't use it much but here's what I don't like about it so far: programming is a pain. You can't use the number pad, and unlike even my 5-year-old VCR, you have to use up and down keys for the hour&minutes combined (that is, you push the up arrow and it goes from 12:00 to 12:01, up and it goes 12:01 to 12:02, etc. you can't separate the hour from the minutes for faster programming). On my Sharp, I can use either the number pad (with hour & minute separated) or the up & down arrows. In addition, it seems to have little versatility on rewind or FF. The same DVD which I can rewind in tiny segments on my Sharp can only be rewound (or fast forward) in big chunks on the Zenith. I have a feeling that Zenith is using the oldest available technology. The pathetic thing is that it cost just as much as my Sharp.

Its ok, but not for the money.......2003-05-11

Well after being a hard-core zenith fan for many many years I decided to go with this machine when my old Zenith VCR ate a tape after 15 years and a few quirky ejections.

This one seemed like a good choice, ...the few problems I did have were caused by those annoying people putting thier grubby dirty fingers on the DVDs at Blockbuster that messed up the player reading them. after a quick rub on the DVD it worked fine.

The remote is a bit small for peopel with big fingers, but not impossible to use.

My biggest qualm with it? The buttons on the front are very hard to read and see which button you are pushing. This is due to the reflective backing the buttons are set through. If you have this unit set low and in a dark spot you can pretty much forget seeing what you are pushing, best choice is to the use the remote.

I can't testify to the programing of this unit since I've trying to figure out how to get the best picture throgh a cable box comming from a new HDTV and all the other boxes and cables, I haven't had time to bother trying to record something.

If I had the chance to buy it again? I think I would pass and go for something a progressive scan capability. I would consider a Zenith in that yes, but this no. Especially since I saw how going from the RCA connection to the S-Video improved the quality. Maybe using the component output would kick it up to change my mind, maybe not.

The Quality Goes in Before the Name Goes On..........2003-04-25

Zenith's slogan really is true, and especially applies to this combo unit. It is quite heavy, the entire chassis is made of metal, not plastic like so many other brands. It has played every DVD flawlessly with excellent picture quality, both through composite and S-Video connections, and the audio playback on CD-Rs and CD-RWs I have burned is excellent. The VCR has exceeded my expectations, the picture quality on recorded tapes is the best I have ever seen-- even in EP mode.

I've made many friends who are loyal Toshiba and Sony buyers jealous when they've seen this player in action, especially once I tell them how little I paid for it!

Very pleased for the money.......2003-04-22

I have had my unit for less than a month but so far so good. First of all, I think the unit is very compact and stylish. More importantly, the color, clarity and audio are very good. My only complaint is that the buttons and corresponding labels on the unit itself and the remote are too small for a person with large hands and poor eyesight. However, with repeated use I guess I can overcome that drawback. I have two Zenith TVs which I love and so far am equally happy with this unit. I am so pleased that I plan to purchase this unit for a relative. As far as the bad experiences that some of the reviewers have had, I found in my extensive research on dvd players, that it seems to be hit or miss with almost every brand.

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