0704wv38 Panasonic NV-VP31

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Panasonic NV-VP31
This VCR/DVD combi player offers good value for those who want the best of both worlds but can it deliver the goods? Martin Pipe finds out
FEATURES Plays: DVD-V, DVD-A (2-channel only), CD, MP3, WMA, VCD, SVCD, JPEG, CD-R, CD-RW, HighMAT, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW (video/VR modes), DVD-RAM; Auto set-up; Nicam stereo; NTSC playback; SP/LP/EP recording; CD-Text display; 16-event/1-month timer with intelligent programming, VideoPlus and PDC; quick erase; jet rewind; 2-channel DVD-A playback; DVD-to-VHS dubbing; AV enhancer; music with picture; program play; AV sync adjustment; slow motion; 2-speed picture search; quasi S-VHS playback; VHS NTSC playback; CVC VHS picture enhancement; auto-rewind; DVD zoom; DVD repeat/resume/scene play; OTR; playback timer; VHS index search; dimensions: 430 x 89 x 266mm; weight: 3.8kg SOCKETS Front: Composite video and stereo audio in Rear: 2 Scarts (RGB loopthrough, DVD RGB out); composite video and stereo audio out (VHS/DVD); composite video and stereo audio out (DVD-only); optical digital output (DVD); aerial in/out; mains in CONTACT www.panasonic.co.uk TEST DATA DVD Video jitter: 10ns (below average) Signal-to-noise ratio: -66.2dB (composite, average) Chroma AM/PM: -70.7dB/-64.8dB (excellent/good) Frequency response @ 5.8MHz: -0.5dB (composite, very good) Audio jitter: 1223.3ps (below average) VHS (SP) Video jitter: 819ns (average) Signal-to-noise ratio: -41.7dB (average) Chroma AM/PM: -43.3dB/-42.1dB (very good/good) Frequency response @ 2MHz: -0.6dB (very good) Frequency response @ 2.5MHz: -3.5dB (very good)

DVD/VCR combi 200

CR/DVD combis are very much stop-gap products and will eventually go the way of the dodo. But for now, they offer a cheap bridge between the world of VHS and DVD. Panasonic is particularly active in this field and its latest combi is the NV-VP31.

DESCRIPTION

It certainly looks the part, with its trendy dark-mirrored front panel, through which a large and readable fluorescent display can be seen. Unlike the average VCR/DVD combi, theres no front-panel button to switch between DVD and VCR mode. Instead, Panasonic has provided each section with separate play and stop buttons. Above the VCR controls are forward and reverse seek buttons, which dont work in DVD mode. To achieve the same function with DVDs, youll need the remote, which is essential for menu navigation, as well as unit set-up and timer programming. Similar buttons ranged above the DVD controls invoke a simple picture enhancer and an unusual feature called music with pictures. This allows you to accompany VHS playback, TV or an AV input with audio from disc. Theres also a second mode that allows you to play music from TV or an external source while youre watching JPEG pictures from CD-ROM. Behind the tiny front-panel flap are AV inputs, channel selectors, timer/record buttons and a rather unusual control marked quick erase. Hold it down and the machine starts erasing your tape faster than would be possible merely by recording over it. Of rather more everyday value is the jet rewind button, which rewinds a 3hr tape in less than 45 seconds.
On the rear panel are two Scarts. The first is an input for an external source like a set-top box, while the second feeds your TV (composite video for VHS and RGB for DVD player). Unfortunately, no S-video output is offered. Still, the Scarts do at least support loop-through so that pictures from your set-top box can be viewed in their full RGB glory. There are also two sets of phono AV outputs, each with stereo audio and composite video. One carries VCR or DVD, while the other is exclusive to the DVD player. For the benefit of those with a Dolby Digital TV or the space for an amp and speakers, the DVD section has been equipped with an optical digital output.

OPERATION

The automatic set-up system is up to Panasonics usual high standard. It sets the clock and tunes in all available channels in the correct order. Other features have to be manually configured. For the VCR, these include SQPB (which plays S-VHS tapes, albeit with VHS quality); whats feeding the Scart AV input; and tape length (so the remainingtime display is correct). The DVD section contains all of the usual adjustments: aspect ratio, dynamic range setting, digital audio output setting, audio during search, parental controls and languages. More unusual functions include an audio delay (useful if your screen introduces a delay, resulting in poor lip-sync), NTSC output mode (pure NTSC or PAL 60) and the activation of HighMAT playback. The latter is a Microsoft standard for mixing still images and audio (MP3 or WMA are both supported) on a CD-ROM and is supported by Windows XP. The NV-VP31 will also play

back DVD-Audio discs and DTS soundtracks, albeit in 2-channel only, and is compatible with DVD-RAMs. Many combis keep their DVD and VCR sections independent not so the NV-VP31. The channel selector not only selects AV inputs and TV channels but theres also a disc position. You can thus easily transfer the contents of (non copy-protected) DVDs to VHS. The VHS deck offers the EP recording mode, in addition to the usual SP and LP. EP triples the potential recording time, allowing you to cram up to 15hr on to an E-300. With this in mind, its perhaps just as well that the NV-VP31's VideoPlus timer offers no fewer than 16 events over a month. The timer is augmented by PDC, and an intelligent function that eases
This is required for DVD searching
Composite and stereo audio inputs adorn the front
Two Scarts but no S-video output for DVDs
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programming of nearly-identical events (serials, for example).

PERFORMANCE

The VHS section turns in a picture that is credible for the format, although the new breed of budget DVD recorders are capable of far better results. In SP, visuals retain some of the originals detail while saturated colours are relatively noise-free. Switch to LP and edge noise increases somewhat but the results are surprisingly still quite usable. EP yields the expected drop in quality, with a noticeable increase in fuzziness and instability. Reserve it for non-critical viewing or timeshifting during long holidays! VHS dubs from DVD are acceptable but shimmering colours on recorded menus
suggests that the recorder is taking a composite feed from the player. The VHS hi-fi audio system is fine, with plenty of bite and an extended frequency response from its own recordings and commercial tapes alike. Sometimes, notably on vocals, the traditional bugbear of compander breathing strikes. And on occasions, manual tracking adjustment is required to avoid crackles from hi-fi soundtracks. The DVD section is capable of excellent results via RGB. Pictures from commercial discs (and DVD-RAMs recorded in the higher-quality modes) are sharp, dynamic and demonstrate a strong colour performance. The audio also betters VHS hi-fi, with no breathing effects. Given the constrictions of the manufacturing budget, the sound quality of CDs and DVD-As is more than acceptable. MP3s and WMAs are also handled well. Overall, this is a fine DVD/VCR combi unit with tons of features for a low price tag. There are a few omissions that would have improved it and VHS recording quality really is starting to look dated. But Panasonic has added to its already impressive DVD/VCR track record with another top product

WHATS GOOD

Good spread of features; straightforward set up; ease of use

FACT FILE

WHATS BAD
No S-video output; DVD shows up limitations of VHS; Poor manual

G G G G

PICTURE SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.
%%%%% %%%%% %%%%% %%%%% %%%%%
SP, LP and EP Nicam and VHS hi-fi 16-event/1-month timer DVD-RAM/2-channel DVD-A playback G Easy dubbing G Music with picture
JVC HR-XVS30 Slightly more expensive but added benefits of S-VHS/ET recording and prog-scan component Reviewed: May 04 TOSHIBA SD-33VB This VHS-only alternative is 50 dearer but offers great performance and superior connectivity Reviewed: Sep 03

OVERALL VERDICT

A good all-rounder that offers great value for money
The trendy mirrored panel is a stylish touch
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