# Separate machines or all-in-one DVD/VCR machine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 23, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separate-machines-or-all-in-one-dvd-vcr-machine/209207 "2003-10-23T22:32:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separate-machines-or-all-in-one-dvd-vcr-machine/209207/1 "2003-10-23T22:32:55Z")
My VCR is giving up the ghost, so I’m shopping for a replacement. I’ve got scads of video cassettes so I’m not giving up a VCR. I’m interested in a DVD player as well, since DVD’s seem to be the wave of the future. I’m hardly a snobbish audio/visual technophile, I just need something that will set up easily, play my tapes and cassettes without memorizing a page of directions and last for at least 5-10 years until the next electronic marvel is introduced. I live in a one bedroom condo so I’m not gonna even hook up my machines to a stereo system because I don’t need all that much sound. Okay, after getting all that exposition out of the way, do I have to get a separate VCR and DVD players, or is the technology now good enough so that I can get a machine that does both well and won’t break down quickly? I plan on purchasing a Sony or Toshiba, well known brands that have a track record. Thanks for your recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separate-machines-or-all-in-one-dvd-vcr-machine/209207/2 "2003-10-24T00:31:50Z")
I have a Samsung DVD/VCR that would seem to do just what you want. There weren’t all that many combo machines when I went looking for one, and the market seemed to be divided into extremely expensive machines and a few inexpensive ones, like the Samsung. It doesn’t have quite as many features as my #1 VCR, and only records on SLP and SP, but it hasn’t broken down yet either. You can also record from the DVD to the VCR if you ever should want. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separate-machines-or-all-in-one-dvd-vcr-machine/209207/3 "2003-10-24T00:34:30Z")
Ah, somehow I missed your other thread. The reason I wanted a combo is that I only had one connector left on my receiver. While you say that’s not an issue for you, you may want to run the sound through a proper stereo at some point. It makes a huge difference.