Samsung DVD/hifi VCR/MP3 capable... combo unit $219 at military PX

[taserT]

I just got the AAFES (military px) flyer and they have the Samsung DVD player, hifi vcr, mp3 combo unit for $219 on sale (reg px price $279) starting July 6. I just put one on layaway and will price adjust when it goes on sale. I'm not sure if this is a good price, but i was in the market for a new hifi stereo vcr and kinda wanted a dvd player....and definitely like the mp3 capability. This is model DVD-1000. Of course there's no tax. If this seems like a good deal maybe those without a military i.d. card can find a friend/relative to purchase it. I got my mom to do it since she's retired military dependent. Does anyone know if this is a really good deal for $219 or can i get a better deal online? thanks

 

[Danzilla]

Pricegrabber.com shows one place that has it for $239. The next lowest ones start at $289, so I guess $219 would be good. Might want to shop around though.
$.02,
D.

 

[taserT]

Danzilla, thanks for the input. I will keep looking around to see if i can get even a better price, but i'll leave it in layaway for a bit. Once i take it out of layaway i still have 30 days to return it if i want. That will give me plenty enough time to check this unit out more thoroughly. I hadn't planned on buying it and just saw the flyer when i was at the px today and will be out of town when the sale starts so put it on layaway and the manager said i can pm the sale price when i get back on monday. I don't normally like to purchase "combo-type" units (tv with vcr, etc) and prefer separate components but the price seemed pretty good. The sale lasts til July 12, btw.

 

[ledorky]

Can you record from DVD->VCR w/ no Macrovision?
Sounds like a good deal but too bad I don't know anyone in the military?

 

[taserT]

I quickly scanned the owners manual and recall it mentioning something about not copying macrovision. I'm not sure if it said the recorder wouldn't actually record to the vcr if the dvd had macrovision (i think that's what it meant, tho) or if you "shouldn't". Assuming it won't record if dvd has macrovision then that's true if you hook up a separate dvd player connected to a vcr, right? (assuming nothing's been hacked) Do all dvds from video rental stores have macrovision? Or do most? I'm assuming some don't but i'm not too knowledgable about this.

 

[buffboy]

to record dvd to vhs you some kind of decoder thing for the protection on the disks. My dad found a decoder at Fry's on one of the abandoned shelves, lol.

 

[taserT]

hmmm....that probably means that if you use a decoder you would have to have separate components that goes between the dvd player and vcr. I guess you can't use a decoder with this combo unit, right?

 

[Yoot]

Yes, I have read that those devices will only work if one is using seperate components.

 

[ledorky]

Thanks tasert.
I guess this confirms it that you can't record directly from DVD->built-in VCR if it has Macrovision. I knew Samsung wasn't that stupid .
I think all commercial DVDs have Macrovision.

 

[taserT]

so now i'm wondering why they put a dvd player and vcr unit together as a combo! I know there was a section in the manual that talked about recording from the dvd part to the vcr and explained how to do it, but if you can't copy macrovision dvds (which i guess most are) what's the use of the recording capabilities of this combo in relation to the dvd part...other than normal vcr recording from tv? I guess it's still handy to have both in one unit for viewing ease tho.

 

[SirDante]

guys. get this: http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=KALUA-R

macro disabled, region disabled, mp3, vcd.

 

[taserT]

SirDante...this looks interesting. Anyone have any input on this brand/model when looked at individually and in relation to other similar units...and compared to the dvd part of the samsung dvd player? And it says it's refurbished...i'm usually very uncomfortable getting anthing refurbushed. What do you think about refurbished in this case?

 

[Kraeji]

also.. if you buy *anything* at a BX/PX you dont pay taxes

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Anyone know if these combo units allow you to watch DVD's on TV's without RCA composite ins and outs?

I checked the Samsung out over at Best Buy, and it did have coax in and out, I was just wondering if the DVD signal would go out through that too, or if it was just for antenna signal.