GoVideo DVR5100 Progressive Scan DVD-VCR Combo
Reasonable, but avoid if you want high quality VHS
It's been interesting to read the other reviews on the DVR5100 unit, as I've used the predecessor DVR5000 model for two years now. The VCR picture quality is sometimes alittle \\"liney\\" and the VHS audio quality lacks sparkle, but no more than any other mid-range VCR machine I've ever owned, and not nearly as bad as what some other reviwers have reported. The lack of S-video from the VCR is annoying, and on the DVR5000, commercials cannot be skipped, despite trade specifications to the contrary, although I've read that the commercial skip works fine on the current DVR5100 model. DVD picture and sound quality is great, and sound quality from CDs, CDRs and MP3-formatted CDs is good, if not spectacular. In terms of reliability, my machine has been problem free, without any tape chewing, despite heavy usuage. So reading the other reviews, perhaps there is a quality control problem with these units. Is this machine a good buy? Yes, as long as watching VHS is not your priority. Also, if you can put a new machine through its paces while still under warranty, you probably don't have a unit that's defective in the ways described in other reviews.