Go.Video is the company that originated the Dual Deck VCR, allowing for the easy dubbing of videocassette tapes in the early 1990s. Some machines included VHS Plus+ programming and others included 8mm + VHS. It was no surprise when DVD players became available that Go.Video would begin offering DVD + VCR Dual Decks (in 2001), virtually creating the category. While somewhat pricier than some of its competitor models at $299, the Go.Video DV-3130 includes several desirable features.

Unique Features - Housed in an attractive black cabinet, model DV-3130 includes a single-play progressive scan DVD player that includes a 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter with a 27Mhz Advanced Digital Filter. This unit places the DVD player on the left and the VCR on the right, with the LCD display for both components centrally located. Key controls can be found on the front of the unit including front A/V jacks, and the One-Touch Copy button that will copy a DVD. Go.Video is the company that figured out a way to record from your DVD onto a VHS tape. Although, it should be noted, you cannot record copy-protected material to VHS tape. The One-Button Record button, which is found on the remote, only works with quickly recording television programs. This DVD player will also play back music CDs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, MP3 and NC/MA-encoded CDs, plus Kodak Picture CDs. Like virtually all DVD players today, this model will output both Dolby Digital and DTS signals via its digital audio outputs. It also includes a simulated 3D surround effect to enhance the sound in a two-speaker setting.

The VCR portion is a 4-Head HiFi VCR that features 19 micron heads for optimum recording and playback at the slowest SLP speeds. This model includes a 181-channel tuner with the capability of recording seven events over a one month period, and auto clock set. A key feature of the DV3130 is Commercial Advance. Unlike commercial skip that only advances the tape in 30-second increments, commercial advance skips the ads entirely (by placing a "flag" down at the beginning and end of the commercial segments). It works fairly well, giving you the choice of watching a blue screen during commercials or watching them whip by. The commercials remain on the tape so, in case you want to watch them, the Commercial Advance feature is defeatable. Along the same lines as Commercial Advance is Movie Advance. Movie Advance skips over all of the previews now found on pre-recorded VHS tapes and takes you directly to the beginning of the movie. Other VCR features include S-VHS quasi playback (SQPB).

To complement this full-featured model, the DV3130 comes with a multi-brand universal remote with jog shuttle. Besides controlling the DV3130, this model will also control your television set. As well, the remote includes 10 glow-in-the-dark keys plus a bottom-mounted jog shuttle for easy access of scenes or to quickly jump forward or backward on VHS tape or DVD. The remote was easy to use, and certainly helped in cutting down coffee table remote clutter. The DV3130 includes a My DVD feature that remembers your specific preferences of language, audio settings, surround settings, etc. This model also includes EZ Play that automatically finds the beginning of a DVD and starts playing.

Installation/Setup/Ease of Use - Like other DVD/VCR combos, installation and setup was a snap. You are given a choice of either convenience (using the DVD+VCR connectors), or best image quality (using either S-Video or component video for the DVD portion). Under this setup, you will switch video inputs on your television to watch either DVD or videos. Instead of using a switch on the back panel of your player, you can set the DV3130 to either interlaced or progressive scan via the Set-Up menu. That was handy!

The on-screen menu is intuitive and easy to use. It is divided into five blocks located on the left side of the screen: Set-Up, DVD, VCR, Program, and Function (can pertain to either VCR or DVD Functions). It could not have been simpler. Just let your fingers do the walking, using the centrally located cursor ring on the remote just below the glow keys. Simply follow the on-screen prompts using the cursor keys on the remote.

Like other DVD/VCR combos, DVD only inputs and outputs are centrally located on the back of the unit. The I/Os include S-Video and component video out, and digital audio (both coaxial and optical) outputs. Just to the right of the DVD only connectors, you will find DVD+VCR connectors. These are simply composite video and analog audio (L+R) RCA-type jacks. As well, there are line in (composite + analog audio) inputs plus RF inputs and output. This model also includes a GO-PORT, which is designed for 'future use' (whatever that means). It looks somewhat like an S-Video connector.

Final Take - This is a very easy to use DVD/VCR combo. I especially liked the pre-programmed universal remote, which was very easy to use. It was very easy to key in the code for a Toshiba rear projection television. It's a full-featured remote, plus I am fond of jog shuttle dials for the easy advancement of scenes on either tape or disc. Also, not being a fan of commercials, I found the Commercial Advance just what every VCR needs to get rid of those pesky and loud commercials. However, every once in awhile, it doesn't work as well as it should because the network sends out the wrong signal at the beginning or end of the commercial segment. However, you can easily backtrack via the jog shuttle on the remote.

Image quality from both the VCR and DVD were about average. By only employing a 10-bit/27Mhz video DAC, images were not as sharp and clear as other combo models using component video. However, if you are only using composite video outputs along with analog audio jacks, you won't see any difference in picture quality. All-in-all this DVD/VCR combo has many desirable features. My one concern is that it is a little pricier than most. If you find this model on sale, it may be just the ticket for many hours of video bliss.

Go.Video Dual-Deck
DV-3130 DVD/VCR Combo
Single-play Progressive Scan DVD
One-Touch Copy
Plays back DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW,
Video CD, MP3, WMA & JPEG CD
MutliBrand universal remote
Commercial Advance
Movie Advance
4-Head HiFi VCR w/19 Micron Head
S-VHS Quasi Playback
Auto Clock Set
Tri-lingual on-screen display
7.8" H x 16.9" W x 10.6" D
Weight: 12 lbs.
MSRP: $299