DVD? VHS? Can't Decide? Then GoVideo!!
Written: Jan 15 '03 (Updated Jan 19 '03)
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Pros: A great way to move into the DVD world AND keep your VHS tapes.
Cons: None so far
The Bottom Line: For a small amount of money you can enjoy new DVDs as well as beloved VHS movies. It's definitely worth it.
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| WendyT's Full Review: Soyo DVR4250 DVD Player / VCR Combo |
Go Video 4250
** Edited January 19, 2003: After a discussion about my new DVD/VCR player with my very techno-savy brother-in-law, it was brought to my attention that I must have read my manual wrong. When I got home I quickly realized that I did, in fact, make a mistake. This unit does NOT copy VHS to CD but rather from DVD to VHS. Since I had no experience with the function, I didn't realize how much would be involved. I did not mean to mislead anyone. In fact, I was quite excited about the possibilities myself. My brother-in-law was simply amazed that I got such a bargain as such units normally price 5-6 times what I paid for this. I have edited my review to reflect same. I apologize for any problems that this may have caused anyone.
Do you want to enjoy the medium of DVD's and all that they offer but not throw away your entire library of VHS tapes? This is the way to go.
Seven months ago I had not heard of Sonic Blue GoVideo®. Although I was a bit skeptical of buying a name unknown to me, I decided that if this device did all it said it would I would be happy. On the plus side it wasn't very expensive so I took the plunge and bought it. I purchased mine from QVC, which has an automatic 30 day money-back guarantee so I was only a little concerned. I was, however, excited about getting up to speed about joining the Jones' in watching DVDs. I have had my GoVideo® for about four months and I couldn't be happier
The main thing that sets this unit apart from all other DVD players is that the GoVideo® DVD/VHS Combo Unit plays DVDs, Audio CDs, VHS tapes and MP3s (on CD-Rs). It also copies DVDs to VHS tapes.
The Unit
The unit itself is a sleek 16 wide x 13 1/2" deep x 4 tall. It is a rather nice looking dull black color. The front panel is divided into two sections: on the upper portion are the CD and VHS drives. Between them are the buttons that operate both. Below that are ten buttons. Some of which are for: Power, Play, Reverse Skip/Scan, Stop, and Forward Skip/Scan as well as several others. There is also Video in and Audio in jacks for easy access in the front. The jacks and the buttons surround the LCD display, located bottom center. It is large and easy to see from across the room. The colors are bright and focused. There are more connections in the rear of the unit as well.
The remote that comes with the unit contains all of the above buttons plus more. It is very small (less than 6") for a remote, with tiny buttons- 46 in all and difficult to see. The buttons are grouped together tightly. I suppose it is possible to use a different remote with this unit. Someone with more experience may know.
The Play
DVD
For simple playing of DVD's it's great. I plan to set it up with the speakers from my stereo eventually to take advantage of the sound capability. Even though I'm not thrilled with the remote, it does do what it's supposed to and I did have fun with my first few DVDs. I ran through the "extras" with all the credits and background clips, etc, skipped over and went back to various tracks, and thoroughly enjoyed using it. It was also very easy to watch a DVD while I recorded a program on VHS. The picture, of course depends on one's television as well as the player. My television is good - not top of the line, but the GoVideo works well with it. I haven't tried a DVD that only supports widescreen so I'm not sure how that looks. However, it does have the capability of changing modes.
Features:
Parental Control- If DVD supports
Multi-Language- English/Spanish/French
Picture-Letterbox/Pan/Scan/Wide
Child Lock- Prevents children from toggling buttons on front panel
VHS
As you would expect with most VHS players it records, plays, fast forwards, reverses, pauses extremely well, etc. There has been no skipping, stuttering or ghosts. I suppose my only con is that I've not seen any type of tracking feature on this unit.
Features:
Four-Head Hi-Fi
Auto Clock
Auto Channel Programming
On Screen Display Multi-Language-English/Spanish/French
Automatic Connect with DVD
The manual that comes with it is very straight forward and easy to understand. Thirty-eight pages long, six of which are devoted to the VCR portion of the unit. The rest is about the DVD/CD portion and general set-up and care. It is fairly comprehensive.
Although this unit is not as petite as the VCR in my bedroom, it is small enough to allow for other devices and knick-knacks on the shelf. As mentioned, I still have a VCR in my bedroom and one in the spare room as well. The reason is that I have plenty of tapes that I love and can't bear the thought of parting with. I don't have to 'throw' away my VCR. When they stop putting movies out on VHS tapes, I can always make copies of them on tape and play them on my VCR until I'm ready to upgrade in my own sweet time.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 130
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Epinions.com ID:
WendyT
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Member: Wendy Theard
Location: Slidell, LA
Reviews written: 80
Trusted by: 102 members
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