Lite-On LVC-9016G DVD + VHS Combo Recorder (Silver)
Great, easy to use. Replacement for a VCR
I'd been debating getting a DVR, a DVD recorder, a HD recorder, etc. for a while when the VCR broke. As it turns out, I need a VCR for work so I picked up the LiteOn VCR/DVD-recorder. <br /> <br />I love it. Easy to set up, easy to use. Clear, well designed graphical interface. <br /> <br />Here's our situation: low tech. We had a videotape that I had labeled the \\"poor man's TiVO\\" that we would record on and watch our weekly programs. I wanted something that would be easy to set recording times on and this machine is it. <br /> <br />Speaking of low tech: all the reviews of these things talk about how to hook up satellite and cable boxes. No thanks, we are still watching broadcast TV. The tuner on this unit is very clear and one feature I appreciate is the \\"search for channels\\" set up. As it went through the channels, it showed what signals it was getting in a \\"picture in picture\\" type box.  <br /> <br />Similarly, when setting up a timer record, it shows the channel that you have selected. This is useful for us because sometimes the bunny ears get knocked and a high UHF channel gets fuzzy and we miss our UPN or WB broadcast. <br /> <br />It's easy to record to a DVD-RW disc (our new \\"TiVO\\"). Playback is clear and easy to fastforward and skip ahead or watch in slow motion. <br /> <br />The remote is not cluttered and pretty easy to use. At first, I worried that I didn't see the \\"Audio\\" or \\"Subtitle\\" buttons on the remote, but there's a \\"Navi\\" button that opens a pretty unobtrusive onscreen menu that lets you pick these things quickly. I appreciate the lack of buttons now. <br /> <br />I know, our tv watching sounds pathetic compared to the home theater yakkety yaks in all the other reviews, but hey, it's just the boob tube. This is a great \\"replacement VCR\\" with a step up in quality. <br /> <br />(Four stars because I'm a hard grader)