Cost-effective and good quality if you need a TV and DVD player
Written: Feb 10 '02 (Updated Feb 20 '02)
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Pros: Flat screen delivers good picture viewable from any angle
Cons: DVDs are somewhat slow to start; DVD player controls on the remote can be tricky.
The Bottom Line: Aside from some tricky remote buttons, the good flat-screen picture, stereo sound, and built-in DVD changer make this a great buy for a small living/dorm room or den.
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| pblanco's Full Review: Aiwa VX-F20DV1 20 in. TV/DVD Combo |
When I moved with my 2-year-old into our own apartment, we were lacking a TV, and since I already had a VCR, I decided it was also time to buy a DVD player, having used my roommate's in our previous home.
I found that with a small child, DVDs have a definite advantage over VHS tapes: they can be watched over and over without degradation, and there is no waiting for tapes to rewind or fast-forward to some favorite scene. Although there are still only a few kid videos released on DVD to date (e.g. a handful of Barney, one Veggie Tales, and no Blues Clues, despite hundreds of their VHS counterparts), I'm sure this number will grow rapidly along with my son in the next few years.
The (personal) decision to buy a TV/DVD combo:
So deciding that I needed a DVD player and a TV, I did a little research on Epinions and elsewhere, and was alerted to the fact that some new TVs still have compatibility problems with some DVD players. So I started looking at TV/DVD "combo" players. As with TV/VCR combos, which are only a small fraction of the market, there has to be a personal and compelling reason for buying a TV/DVD combo as opposed to separate units, since it is bulkier, more difficult to repair, and you are "stuck" with the shortcomings of both components.
Other models to consider:
In my case I decided that a combo unit would work well for my and my son's needs, but in May 2001 I found only three models with screens larger than 13": an RCA which I bought and returned for shoddy quality, a Panasonic 27" which was enormous and too expensive (around $1000), and the Aiwa which is the subject of this review. I had high expectations of Aiwa quality since I still use an Aiwa compact stereo which I bought 10 years ago, and so far I am pleased with this product.
What comes out of the box - size, portability, aesthetics:
The unit as a whole is heavy, but not overly large, and would fit into a 23" cube easily. I can carry it by myself with some difficulty, which is a plus when it comes to moving. It has a "brushed silver" finish in front as opposed to the usual black, with a green LCD display below the screen which displays the TV channel. Audio/video RCA jacks are provided front and rear for hookup to a VCR, stereo system, or camcorder output.
The Television - picture and sound:
The TV screen measures 17" wide by 12.5" tall - remember that the "20 inch" screen size refers to the diagonal! I find this size acceptable for a small living room or den, but 22" would have been nicer. The screen is flat, not curved, which reduces reflections on the screen from lights and windows, and increases the comfortable viewing angle, so I can watch TV while moving around the room (perhaps people using exercise videos will find this useful!).
Since I only have basic cable, I suspect that I am not using the full picture quality of the Aiwa, and I have seen expensive TVs which do have a finer resolution. The same is true when playing DVDs - detail is good but not "outstanding". All the usual TV controls are on the remote, in addition to preprogrammed brightness/contrast levels for "TV", "Cinema", and "Game" modes.
Stereo sound is provided by two tall slimline speakers either side of the TV, and they do a good job. You can control the bass, treble, and a pseudo-surround mode from the remote. If you want better sound, you can hook up a stereo via the audio jacks.
The DVD/CD changer:
The DVD player carousel is directly below the TV screen, and holds three DVDs or audio CDs. Opening/closing the carousel and changing the "active" disk can only be achieved using the player's buttons, not the remote, so you will need to get up to watch more than one movie!
The player works well, though like many earlier DVD players takes a while (20 seconds?) to read a new disc, during which time the display flashes "READING" and the unit goes into a catatonic state, not responding to any controls. (Twenty seconds is a long time for a 2-year-old Barney fan!). Another minor annoyance I have noticed is that I have to increase the sound volume when switching from TV to DVD player - you'd think that Aiwa's engineers could have matched the output levels better.
I have also used the DVD player to play audio CDs. While the TV speakers are no match for a good sound system, the quality is acceptable. To my delight, the player was even able to make it through a scratched CD which always causes my stereo to get stuck.
The lower half of the remote contains the DVD player controls. The common ones are straightforward, but to master the "search" function you will need to study the manual.
The remote control: a little tricky
A single remote controls the TV and DVD functions, and must be used to scroll through the on-screen menus. As I mentioned earlier, the remote does not allow you to select a different DVD in the changer, so you will have to stretch your legs between movies.
My one beef about the remote control design is that the same button is used for "fast forward" and "skip track" (similarly for rewind and "back one track"). Pushing the button briefly causes the player to skip to the next DVD track - usually the next whole scene in a movie. If you just want to fast forward, you have to hold the button down for longer (2 seconds), but I often end up "skipping" by mistake. This is very frustrating and takes a while to correct (first skip back to the start of the current track, then fast-forward to the segment I was watching; what a hassle!).
Also, if you want to view a movie's special effect in slow motion you have to "pause" the DVD first, then push-and-hold the same "fast-forward/skip" button to advance at 1/30, 1/15. 1/2 speed. Again, if you don't hold the button down long enough, the player will "skip" to the next whole track, so you will lose your place.
In short, Aiwa should have provided at least 2 more buttons on the remote for controlling the DVD player, as opposed to using the same buttons for different, and incompatible tasks.
There is no "remote control locater" feature on the set, so you need to keep track of the remote's whereabouts. Note that if you lose or break this remote it will be very hard to find a replacement. (I checked numerous websites, including Aiwa's, but was unable to order a spare).
Is this the right product for you?
If you are looking for a 20" TV and a DVD player, this package may well suit your needs, and is competitively priced when compared to the cost of separate components. It would be great as a second TV in a kids area or den, if you have already spent a lot of money on a larger TV/entertainment system for the main room, especially if you already have a spare VCR to connect to it.
If you need more information, the instruction manual can be found on Aiwa's website (for now at least) as a PDF document at:
http://www.aiwa.com/pdf/omanuals/8AJD1901010.pdf
When I bought my Aiwa I was offered a 5-year store warranty for an extra $100, which I know is usually a rip-off, but given the added complexity of the the DVD player AND disc changer, I decided to purchase it for peace-of-mind. (Having a toddler around complex electronic equipment influenced my decision too!). You should definitely factor the necessity and cost of an additional warranty for this product in to your own circumstances.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 475
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Epinions.com ID:
pblanco
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Location: San Diego, CA
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
A Briton living in California, I am a part-time physicist and full-time dad.
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