Philips DVD-755VR

I have just aquired this Philips DVD755VR as part of my attempt to find the perfect DVD solution. I have already tried the Philips 625 player ( very good but another seperate box to connect and fit in the lounge) and the Philips R70 recorder ( good but limited playback features).

A combined DVD/VCR seems to offer the best of both worlds, but after reading a HIFI mag batch review ( none recommended !!!) I tentatively thought I would 'try before I buy'.

Initial impression was of reasonable build quality but not very stylish ( the R70 is very ).

Considering you have just one box to connect and one remote to worry about it should all be easy peasy. The unit is quite easy to setup with a bit of common sense (??) and is like using two devices at the same time , so you have to think before you press anything. In fact a lot of buttons on the remote are dual purpose, so you have to switch to DVD mode before ejecting a disk.. or the VCR tape suddenly pops out !!!

Having said that, once you get used to it the remote does work quite well.

So to the important bit.

The DVD player is excellent, and plays most things including a jpg slideshow .. but not mpg.

The big let down is the VCR. Very poor quality picture and despite hours of trying.. I could find no index search apart from return to zero.

Considering you can buy Nicam VCR's for £80 fully featured I don't understand Philips mentallity in putting this very basic device in a quality box.

It backs up the magazine report... These devices are ideal if you just want an easy life with minimum connections and basic playback... but otherwise you are better off with two seperate devices. A great pity because the idea works well ... the ideal solution would be a DVD recorder with a quality VCR in the same box... anyone listening ????

This one is going back !!!