VCRs: Reviews

Updated January 2008

VCRs might be passé, but they provide a well-established way to enjoy pre-recorded movies and those special moments you capture yourself. ConsumerSearch looks at videocassette recorders and reports on the best options for enjoying your tape collection for years to come.

FONT
PRINT

Compare All

Basic VCR

Basic VCR: Buy by price

*Est. $30 and up Learn More

No major manufacturers are currently making VCRs anymore, so your choice in stores will amount mainly to inexpensive off-brand players. These are no longer reviewed. Be aware that most VCRs nowadays do not have tuners --… expandthat's important if you get your TV from an antenna or basic cable (with no cable box), since you will not be able to record TV shows. In that case, try to find a VCR with an analog tuner. But, keep in mind that analog tuners will be useless after Feb. 2009 when all TV signals will be digital. If you get your TV from a cable box or satellite receiver, you don't have to worry about this issue. A more future-proof solution is to go with a DVD recorder/VHS combo unit, covered in our separate report on DVD recorders. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: Amazon.com no longer has a dedicated section for VCRs, so you'll have to search by using the keyword "VCR." Some models get one or two reviews from owners.

Target.com: Target.com sells three VCR/DVD player combo decks.

DVD player/VCR combo

Sony SLV-D380P

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

It's easier to find VCRs included with a DVD player in one unit. But keep in mind that these units do not usually come with a tuner -- that's fine if you get your TV from a cable box or satellite receiver, but if you get… expandyour TV from an antenna, you will not be able to record TV shows with a tunerless DVD player/VCR. (You will, however, still be able to playback your existing tapes and DVDs.) The Sony SLV-D380P gets good reviews overall. The main complaint is the lack of a tuner. A more future-proof solution to recording TV shows is to go with a DVD recorder or DVR, both covered in separate reports. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: About 40 users give the Sony SLV-D380P an average score of three stars out of five.

PC World: A handful of owner reviews give the Sony SLV-D380P DVD/VCR combo player good average scores.

Overstock.com: Overstock.com sells refurbished, not new, Sony SLV-D380P DVD/VCRs.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from
Amazon

for $699.98