Zenith XBV343 DVD/VCR Combo Reviewed

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HTR Product Rating

Performance: 3 Stars
Value: 3 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars

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Zenith is an old and reliable consumer electronics brand. During the 1950s and '60s, Zenith was a leader in color television. Over time, they have re-invented themselves to become a leading C/E brand today. Currently, the company is owned by LG Electronics, offering a wide range of HDTV products, and more recently DVD/VCR combination models. Zenith certainly offers quite a bit of bang for your buck, too. It is one of the most reasonably priced full-featured progressive scan DVD players with an integrated 4-Head HiFi VCR products available today. Their model XBV343 is priced at $199.

Unique Features - Housed in an attractive all-silver cabinet that is less than 4-inches high, the Zenith model XBV343 features a single-play progressive scan DVD player that is located on the left-hand side of the unit. On the right-hand side of the unit is a 4-head HiFi VCR. Key controls are located directly underneath the respective unit, separated in the middle by a wide LCD display screen. A noteworthy control button is located just left of center--Copy, which allows for the copying of a non-copy-protected DVD onto a VHS tape. This model also provides a front A/V inputs (Line 2) connector. This allows for the easy attachment of a camcorder or game console.

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The XBV343 will also play back music CDs, DVD-R/RWs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, N1133 and WMA-encoded CDs, plus JPEG 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 auto clock set. The user is also able to program eight events over a 365-day period. There is a three-second back-up timer in case of short brownouts, as well as commercial skip that will quickly advance the tape in 30-second increments of recorded material.

This player comes with a remote control that handles both DVD and VCR operations. While there are no illuminated or glow-in-the-dark keys, the rubberized keys are sensibly laid out with the cursor ring (with directional and enter keys) in the middle, and a thumb rest at the bottom of the remote. (Of course, this could also be a thumb scanner or a DNA collector.) Except for the Power key and Rec keys that are in blue, all keys are gray.

Click to Page 2 for Installation, Evaluation, and the Final Take.

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