0212WHC29 DVD-VHS Group

28/10/02

3:01 PM

Page 92

Group Test: DVD/VCRs

Samsung SV-DVD3E
o whose bright idea was it to combine a DVD player and VCR in the first place? Samsung, thats who. The Korean company was the first to launch a combi in the UK, and the SV-DVD3E marks its second attempt in this market. It may not be the most attractive specimen to grace your living room, but its silver styling will blend nicely with your other home cinema gear. Round the back, youll have no problems getting connected, with an RGB Scart and S-video output on hand for visuals, and two kinds of digital audio output for multichannel sonics. Its a breeze to set up, and, once installed, theres much to get your teeth into features like virtual surround, scene digest and MP3 playback are worthy of note for DVD, while Intelligent Picture mode soups up the VCR specification. But DVD picture quality is best described as adequate. Granted, RGB pictures are clean and lacking in any major digital video nasties, edges look forceful and plenty of detail permeates the picture, but A.I.s colour-drenched scenes catch it out their presentation isnt as vibrant as other combis weve viewed. Images seem slightly too dim, something
thats only remedied by tweaking your TVs settings. Thats our only gripe, though.

Video nasties

If you want to watch your VHS movie tapes, then tread carefully. Theres a significant amount of ghosting and grain, making images appear soft and lacking in definition. Its appearance over large patches of colour compromises their vibrancy. However, the A.I. DVDs action-packed scenes make for enthralling listening from this machine, and CDs piped through the analogue outputs sound pleasant enough for the undemanding music fan. Ordinary DVD playback is a disappointment and if youre planning on heavy VCR use, then the slightly below-par pictures may also be a telling factor. These foibles arent the end of the world, but make the 300 price tag a little hard to swallow.

Ratings

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall
#######$$$ #########$ #######$$$ #######$$$ #######$$$ #######$$$ #######$$$

Further Info

Call 0168 or visit www.samsungelectronics.co.uk

Bush DVHS1

ers mit
oneys too tight to mention, sang Simply Red, and unfortunately these lyrics often ring true with many home cinema fans. Thankfully, Bush sympathises, and ensures its kit is sold at bargain-basement prices. But such cost-cutting can lead to rather hit-and-miss quality, so heres hoping Bushs DVHS1 combi falls squarely in the hit camp. Unsurprisingly, its the cheapest combi here, and its dour aesthetics reflect this fact. Eschewing the popular mirrored or aluminium finishes, the grey, plasticky fascia yells budget. But the rigid construction ensures itll have a very long and prosperous shelf-life.

Whats on the menu?

######$$$$ ########$$ ######$$$$ #######$$$ ########$$ ########## ########$$ S-video output is a notable absentee, but the appearance of two Scart sockets and digital audio output is reassuring. And should you have two monitors to hand, simultaneous DVD and VCR playback is possible, like all the combis models reviewed here. The features list could fit on a postage stamp, but were pleased that the DVHS1 is easy to use. The onscreen displays look like theyre are on loan from Panasonic, and its dropdown menu system is first-rate. So what kind of performance does your 200 buy? DVD pictures are up to a high standard in particular from the

Call 3111

RGB Scart output. Whack a DVD like A.I. into the tray, and youll be blown away by the mesmeric colours, sizzling detail and rich blacks. The Flesh Fair scene with all its flickering fire, garish neon and busy crowds could make many players stumble, but not this bad boy. It takes the hectic action in its stride, making it look sharp and cinematic. But with VHS playback, its a different story. A lack of contrast makes even prerecorded tapes appear washed out and colours struggle to make an impact. There is little noise or grain, though, which helps. Music CDs played on the DVHS1 are enjoyable, but not as open or transparent as they are on pricier kit. But hook it up to a home cinema upgrade system, via the digital output, and it rocks! In all honesty, Bush has done wonders within its budget remit. DVD playback is as good as its rivals, but VCR playback isnt up to scratch. Despite this, 200 for a combi could be too tempting to pass up.
What Home Cinema December 2002

0212WHC29 DVD-VHS Group

28/10/02

3:02 PM

Page 93

Sanyo HV-DX1E

anyo has always been synonymous with the mass market, and this pleasant-looking combi is sure to fly off the shelves. Where Panasonic and Toshiba have opted for all-out pizzazz, Sanyo goes for the modest approach. Its a rather understated, simple silver affair with very large, almost toy-like silver buttons adding a little sparkle to the front panel. The rear sports all the relevant socketry for hooking up to TVs, amplifiers and the like, while a little panel on the front is ideal for connecting more occasional external sources like camcorders. Ease of use is the theme running through the onscreen interface. Everything is nicely tuned in for you, plus the straightforward menus arent going to give you nightmares.

Features galore

Theres a very healthy array of features to keep you occupied. MP3 playback will please any internet music fans, while the comprehensive range of DVD playback modes puts you in complete control. Intelligent, LP timer recording is the best VCR feature, changing from SP to LP if theres not enough room on the tape.

Best in Test

Panasonic NV-VHD1B Gorgeous looks, a raft of useful features and picture quality to die for

Aiwa HV-DH1

Impressive DVD playback doesnt quite compensate for the lack of features and disappointing VCR pictures. Tasty price, though Boasting a comprehensive features list, top video playback and flashy looks, this is the best DVD/VCR combi ever. Its a little pricier than its rivals, but this space-saving solution is worth the extra dosh. A class act
Toshiba SD-22VB Sanyo HV-DX1E
Admirable DVD picture quality and respectable features roster, but some minor VCR foibles are all thats stopping it from Best Buy greatness Excellent DVD and VCR picture quality, but just pipped at the post by Panasonic in terms of features. Cant fault it for looks or price

Samsung SV-DVD3E

The 300 price tag is a little over the odds for below-par VCR playback and DVD pictures arent too hot either

Bush DVHS1

Eye-popping price, and DVD playback is solid. Its a shame there arent more features, but for the cash, thats to be expected. Some VCR picture glitches
What Home Cinema December 2002

Group Test: DVD/VCRs

But lets get down to the nitty gritty. Performance is extremely pleasing, in particular, DVD picture quality. No noise, no digital artefacts, just fresh, clean images that bring our test disc to life. Light flesh tones are well-judged and natural, displayed without an excessive amount of redness. Well-resolved fine detail makes for a beautifully crisp picture, and colours are forceful, helping Spielbergs vision of the future seem all the more vivid. Weve no major complaints with VCR pictures either, though weve seen better. Detail and contrast are fine, yet colour levels seem a little overpowering and tend to make faces appear a little too red. And should you, for any reason, need to watch DVDs or VCRs from the RF output, then pictures are excessively grainy. But sound from both sections is sharp DVDs, heard through either a multichannel or two-channel setup, sound crisp and dynamic, while VHS tape audio is steady. Impressive overall, but the poor VCR pictures could sway you towards the cheaper Toshiba or the sophisticated Panasonic.

Ratings

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall
#######$$$ ########$$ #######$$$ ########$$ ########$$ #######$$$ #######$$$

Further Info

Call or visit www.sanyo.co.uk