Toshiba SD-V394 DVD/VCR Combo
Nice alternative
I couldn't afford the DSM-520 from DLink, and my family still used VHS (very retro). I saw this, and the DivX label caught my eye. So I bought it. Then I looked at the reviews, which were scant and negative. I decided to open the box and set it up so I could add a review for others.     My buyer's remorse has been appeased for these reasons:    1. It plays AVI's from CD or DVD. I have a library of DivX and Xvid, this plays them all from either CD or DVD! I haven't found, yet, what it doesn't play.    2. Easy to get up and running. Interface is a piece of cake. My fam has no problem with it.    3. Front inputs.    4. Great sound and options (basic, but enough).    5. Great picture even with compressed AVI's, DivX and Xvid.    6. Codec library is plenty sufficient. Burn any AVI to any media and it plays. (any that I've tried, so far.)    Improvements? The volume level between VHS and DVD is pretty drastic. VHS is loud, DVD needs volume (but sounds fine).    Contrary to another review, the display is fine for me. Easy to see. Maybe they didn't remove that sticky shipping film. I don't know.     How long have I had it? 2 days. Will update if it gives out.  How much? Best Buy $105, but I see they go for $79 here.    Don't let the reviews (or lack of..) deter you. If you are an AVI person (you know what I mean), this one will do it for you.    Update: 12/18/06  Still going strong. I use the heck out of this machine. Remember, there is a \\"DVD only\\" version of this for cheaper (without the VCR). As with any player, use the button to eject and close the DVD tray. This minimizes the loss of tray functionality.     Another very cool feature of the DivX player portion is that you don't have to Fast Forward through a DivX or Xvid, you can use the \\"Jump To\\" feature, and jump to the general place in the show that you want to watch. I skip the long intro to Band of Brothers, for example, and jump to the 2:25 time (I memorized the exact place at which the show starts, and jump to it).    Cheers.