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Overall, the Zenith XBV343 is a great example of a good performing DVD/VCR combo unit with a very reasonable price. For less than $150, you get a DVD player with progressive scan, compatibility with most recordable DVD formats, as well a 4-Head VHS HiFi VCR with Quasi-SVHS playback. This is definitely a unit to consider if you are purchasing a basic DVD player, but also need to replace your aging VCR.

Product Overview

The Zenith XBV343 DVD/VCR combo features a single tray DVD player combined with a four head HiFi stereo VCR, all housed within a 17-inch wide silver/gray cabinet.

The DVD portion features both standard and component video outputs, with access to progressive scan. The DVD section also offers playback compatibility for DVD-video, DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW discs as well as CD/CDR/CDRW/MP3-CD/JPEG-CD. Digital optical and digital coaxial outputs are included for Dolby Digital/DTS audio. For those that do not have a surround sound system, the DVD section also features built-in Virtual Surround for creating a surround sound effect with just a two-channel stereo system. Also featured is a built-in RF modulator for both the DVD player and the VCR section, which enables the user to use one connection for both the DVD and VCR to a TV without seaprate audio/video inputs.

The VCR contained in this unit is a full 4-head HiFi Strereo unit that features both VHS recording and playback as well as, Quasi-SVHS playback, 19 micron heads for better EP tape playback, high-speed fast forward and rewind, front and Rear AV input and output connections, a Cable-ready TV tuner, and a one button DVD-to-VCR copy function for copying non-copyguarded DVDs.

Set-Up and Testing

How do you replace a setup with a VCR, DVD player, separate RF modulator, hooked to a cable box and 19-inch TV with just an cable/antenna connection? One practical way is to buy a DVD/VCR combo.

I settled on the Zenith XBV343 DVD/VCR combo for the task. I was able to get rid of all the cable connection mess from the above setup and with just one cable feed from the wall, through the cable box, to the Zenith XBV343 DVDVCR combo and then to the television. The result; a neat, well-organized, simple setup.

Although picture quality, using the RF modulator output, was more limiting, I found the picture to be more than adequate for that purpose

I also connected the unit in a full home theater setup and found that its Dolby Digital/DTS and Progressive Scan to meet basic expectations. The DVD player set-up menu was quite easy to use, with the ability to set the type of television used (16x9 or 4x3) to insure proper display of widescreen DVD movies.

In addition, the DVD player audio setup menu also included a Virtual Surround option, which actually resulted in a credible surround sound feel when my receiver was set to a standard two-channel setting.

Another surprise; the DVD player was able to play both DVD+RW and DVD-R discs with no problem (according to Zenith's specs, the XBV343 also plays DVD-RW and DVD+R discs, but I didn't have any recordings in those formats to test).

In addition, the DVD player also performed well as a CD player, and had no trouble also playing some of my CD-R and CD-RW discs. However, keep in mind that this unit, as with most most units in this price range, do not have the ability to play DVD-Audio or SACD discs, unless such discs also include a CD-only layer.

The VCR section also proved to be a good performer. Playback of standard VHS material was about what you would expect, however, the VCR had no trouble playing back my S-VHS tapes (at standard VHS resolution), with its Quasi-SVHS capability.

The recording aspect of the VCR was also acceptable. With its front AV inputs, I had no trouble dubbing camcorder footage. Its built-in timer was a bit cumbersome to set, but I had no trouble recording programs from a digital cable box.

Lastly, I found the VCR to be extremely quiet, even during its high-speed rewind operation. In fact, a couple of times I couldn't tell if the tape was rewinding unless I put my ear up to the unit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I must say I got more that I expected from a budget-priced DVD/VCR combo.

On the positive side, the XBV343 has great playback flexibility with the ability to play DVD+R, +RW, -R, and -RW video discs as well as easily playing back standard CDs, CD-R/RWs, having a built-in RF modulator for both DVD and VCR section for connections to older TVs, as well as progressive scan for connection to digital televsions.

However, no product is perfect. Some of the negatives were a longer than expected DVD loading time, a tight VHS cassette door (I thought the tape was stuck, however, a light tug released the cassette with a problem), and direct number input for VCR timer setup was not available. In order to setup the recording time I also had to scroll through the date, channel, and time info. However, these negatives didn't detract from the actual performance of the unit, and could easily addressed by minor design changes on future models.

In conclusion, there are definitely higher performance DVD players for use in home theater, however, the Zenith XBV343 provides the consumer with a good unit that can be used with just a basic television to a full home theater. The Zenith XBV343 is worth considering.

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