# TV/DVD/VCR combos. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 1, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500 "2004-09-01T00:51:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/1 "2004-09-01T00:51:05Z")
I’d like to put a new television in one of our rooms. The one we have is old and almost shot. I’d like a model that was a combo TV/DVD/VCR. But I’ve found that they come no bigger than 27". I’d like something with a screen that was at least 32". Are there any out there? I thought Panasonic had a T/D/V combo that was 36inches, but it seems I was mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/2 "2004-09-01T00:54:41Z")
Most electronic repair types will try to steer you away from such mutations like this. I knew a guy who repaired electronics and he said these things were nightmarish to work on. Besides, if one part malfunctions, you lose access to everything while it’s in the shop. If space is a concern, there are plenty of compact VCRs and DVD players out there. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/3 "2004-09-01T00:59:23Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Most electronic repair types will try to steer you away from such mutations like this.I knew a guy who repaired electronics and he said these things were nightmarish to work on. > Besides, if one part malfunctions, you lose access to everything while it’s in the shop. If space is a concern, there are plenty of compact VCRs and DVD players out there. Nah. Ain’t worried about it. I just like the oneness of it. Plus I don’t have to deal with hooking up extra wires, remotes, and all that. I want it all in one package. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/4 "2004-09-01T01:01:09Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Nah. Ain’t worried about it. I just like the oneness of it. Plus I don’t have to deal with hooking up extra wires, remotes, and all that. I want it all in one package. Well, be sure to get a good brand. Avoid cheapo stuff. You know, the old getting what you paid for and all. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/5 "2004-09-01T01:07:54Z")
I’d advise against the combo unit as well, though not quite because of ease of repair considerations. TVs generally outlast VCRs, etc, and by a fair margin. Not really any surprise there, what with the vastly fewer moving parts. What’s more, you can get DVD players now for the price an electronic repair shop charges just to look at something, and far less than they’ll charge to actually do anything. So if the DVD part of the combo unit develops, say, a misaligned laser, you’re stuck paying more than the price of a new DVD player to fix it (unless you want to just buy a new dvd player and jack it into your combo unit, but then what’s the point?) instead of replacing it with a newer model with more features for less money. TV formats outlast media formats, too. In 10 years we’ll likely still use the same jacks to plug in a TV, but chances are pretty slim that a current DVD player will be able to decipher whatever medium movies are being recorded on then. A combo unit ties your TV to the relatively shorter life of the DVD/VCR. Don’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/6 "2004-09-01T01:17:25Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Nah. Ain’t worried about it. I just like the oneness of it. Plus I don’t have to deal with hooking up extra wires, remotes, and all that. I want it all in one package. Why not settle for a combo DVD/VCR player instead? On a new TV the unit will be a snap to hook up, and you’ll only have one additional remote (and maybe none, if the unit’s remote can be programmed to control your TV). As **Gorsnak** said, the TV will likely outlast the DVD/VCR by a long margin, and it’s also the most expensive part to replace. When the combo DVD/VCR no longer works properly, you can junk it and buy a new unit to plug into the expensive wide-screen TV. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/7 "2004-09-01T02:05:45Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > A combo unit ties your TV to the relatively shorter life of the DVD/VCR. Don’t do it. I have to agree. I have one myself (it was a gift). It’s a Panasonic, a little over a year old. I use it only for DVDs and videos; I don’t watch TV at all. And damned if the DVD player isn’t already showing signs of going south on me. Back to watching movies on my computer! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/8 "2004-09-01T02:28:03Z")
I don’t want to pile on, but it is a really, really, bad idea to buy a combo unit. You lose a lot of options, the ability to selectively upgrade components, plus the cost in the long term sucks big time. You really can’t expect people to suggest good ways of making poor choices. ---
**Author:** ![Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kneepants_Erasmus_the_Humanist)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/9 "2004-09-01T03:04:19Z")
I have a tv/vcr, and a crappy thing about it is that if a tape gets jammed in the player, or another such mishap occurs, the tv will not stay on for longer than 5 seconds. I spent hours trying to get the tape unjammed so that I could watch tv. Of course that happens with all of your 2/3-in-one type deals, since all the parts are depending on each other. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/10 "2004-09-01T04:14:08Z")
I appreciate all the opinions! I really do. But the truth is, the tv will be going into our guest room. Which means the TV/VCR/DVD player will end up getting **VERY** little use. Just enough to justify having them in there, actually. So, I’m not worried about longevity. Just simplicity. ---
**Author:** ![spickspack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@spickspack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spickspack)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/11 "2004-09-01T04:34:13Z")
Get a cheap DVD player, a cheap VCR, a good quality TV, and a neat universal remote with the money you’ll save over buying a combo unit. You’ll be getting rid of the VCR within a couple of years anyways, when consumer DVD-R decks become mainstream. At worst, get a DVD/VCR combo unit and a good quality TV. Under no circumstances should you even consider getting an all-in-one unit. You lose reliability and quality and what do you gain? A big fat nothing. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/12 "2004-09-01T14:47:08Z")
The reason you don’t see many combo-sets in the larger-screen formats is because the manufacturers have looked at the market and determined that their target segment is people with an extraordinary space premium, or a near-clinical phobia of component wiring, and that people who care about screen size/image quality will be buying stand-alone sets. The reasons being what you have read before in the thread. Of course, there _is_ a vivious circle at work here, as the manufacturers generally make the combo sets using cheap-to-middling components (tubes, tuners, drives, audio) and then sock them with a high markup, so that the people who care end up concluding there’s no value in going with the video chimerae. ---
**Author:** ![Denverbarndude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/74df32/32.png) [@Denverbarndude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Denverbarndude)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/13 "2004-09-01T17:27:09Z")
This is my first post ever, so bear with an Old Newbie… I was quite impressed with all the posts to this thread. I have been installing home theater systems for the past three years and have found every reason stated for not purchasing a TV combo very sound and valid. But for most of my clients, the main reason for going modular with a system has to do with one thing: Weight. The average 27" inch combo, right now, runs to almost 150 pounds or more. While Sony is the only company I know that has a 32" model, all the other manufacturers have told me on several occasions that their target markets (older adults and non-technical youth) will not purchase a unit that can’t be easily moved. However, as flat screens become more affordable, the weight and bulk issue will soon be resolved. Personally, I have an eight year old Panasonic TV/VCR combo in my office that breaks down on a monthly basis. It clogs, eats tape like a pit bull with a ribeye, but the television picture is still great. To correct the problem, I ran a new VCR to the television inputs. Defeats the purpose, but saved me a couple of bucks. Hope this spreads some insight. Typical Denver phone conversation: “Where are you? Can you see the Mountains? Okay, you’re headed West.” ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/14 "2004-09-01T20:01:09Z")
Here is a not-so-secret secret: there is no profit in TVs and combo units less than 25 inches or so in screen size. Therefore, they are nearly all made by the same 2 or 3 Chinese companies (Apex and Orion come to mind) no matter what name brand is put on it. It will be cheap quality, so find the lowest cost one you can and don’t expect more than a couple years use. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/15 "2004-09-01T20:20:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Personally, I have an eight year old Panasonic TV/VCR combo in my office that breaks down on a monthly basis. It clogs, eats tape like a pit bull with a ribeye, but the television picture is still great. To correct the problem, I ran a new VCR to the television inputs. Defeats the purpose, but saved me a couple of bucks. That’s weird I have a Panasonic Combo unit as well, I’ve never had a single problem with it, it plays tapes fine, I don’t think I’ve even run a cleaner tape through it. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/16 "2004-09-12T22:26:19Z")
Thanks for all the comments, folks. I’ve taken care of my dilema, and got a **BIG** treat. Check this out: I was in the Best Buy on Monday, and I see [THIS](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077629884991&skuId=6547631&productCategoryId=cat03002&type=product) television. But it has a sign on it indicating that it’s a 32 inch RCA, on sale for $349. That is a 36 inch. I talk to the sales guy, and he says the 32" sets are gone, I can have the 36 at the same price!:dubious: I’ve never heard of Best Buy substituting items! NEVER! But it turned out to be true! A 36 inch set for $349?🆒 Then, they had this [Home theater](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1074787632050&skuId=6227807&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050002&type=product) with VCR & DVD. I didn’t need a home theater set up for this room, just a VCR/DVD. But they had an open box one for $149, and it had everything in it! And having the DVD/VCR in one system eliminates alot of wires. I didn’t hook up all the speakers from the HT unit because I didn’t want all the wires. Just the front speakers will do. That was the Best trip to Best Buy I’ve ever had! I’m in shock!!! SHOCK, I tell you!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/17 "2004-09-13T00:19:30Z")
I did a little searching for this model and was unable to find anything about how many lines of resolution the set has. For progressive scan DVD, it needs 480 or more, and standard TVs have 250 lines. So look into tha more closely, because if your TV isn’t designed for it, progressive scan will not look any better. The literature talks about “enhanced resolution” but only in terms of some kind of color separation process. It doea look like you got a very good price, howver. I suggest the theater in a box is completely unnecessary, as stereo speakers are built in to the TV. You can get decent VCR/DVD combo players for under $100. Still, you again got a good price, so maybe you’ll have use for the rest of the stuff sometime in the future if you pack it away. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-dvd-vcr-combos/262500/18 "2004-09-13T01:56:57Z")
> [@Boyo Jim](#): > > I did a little searching for this model and was unable to find anything about how many lines of resolution the set has. For progressive scan DVD, it needs 480 or more, and standard TVs have 250 lines. We hooked it all up today (it was delivered friday) and the DVD looks GREAT on the tv. Especially being played through the composite cables. The reason I went for the home theater rig instead of just a dvd/vcr is because I wanted an AM/FM radio in the room, and I was just smitten with the unit being “all in one”. And, if my receiver ever goes to hell in my living room, I could always move this one into it. It was worth it. I like the “all in one” ness of it. I’m anal like that! 😉