Sony SLV-D100 DVD-VCR Combo
Just misses the mark
I am a long time bonafide SONY fan but this combo VCR/DVD unit is a disappointment.  The unit is nice and clean in appearance but its functionality leaves a lot to be desired.<br />As expected, the DVD images are sharp and clear and mechanically the thing is excellent - it's quiet and smooth.  However, MP3 titles show up on the TV screen but only the first 10 letters or so.  What's worse, even short songs get broken up and play with skips.  Is this just my unit???  Sound quality from DVDs and audio CDs is excellent.<br />The VCR is the real disappointment.  Although it does play back S-VHS recordings (in VHS quality), its general recording and playback quality does NOT compare favorably to my SONY 373 and SONY SLV5-RUc - both of which are now 11 years old!!!  Back then, SONY VCRs were designed and \\"Made in Japan\\".  This new combo puppy was made in China and cost LESS than the mono 373 VCR did in 1991.  The old SONYS were expensive and heavy but the quality was excellent.  Both of mine are still running nicely.  (Yes, The $1000 S-VHS machine got a complete overhaul by Sony about 3 years ago for under $200 and I replaced the pinch roller mechanism on the 373 myself for about $35.)<br />The SLV-D100 makes VHS recordings that are fair.  Mechanically, it handles the tape well - in loading, ejecting and transport.  EP(6hr.slow speed)recording is okay but SP (2hr) which should be noticeably better - is not.  My old standard VHS SP recordings actually look better than the new recordings - even played back on the new machine.  Go figure.<br />Buying electronics should not be this difficult.<br />The combo's remote is too small, too delicate, too awkward and probably will NOT stand the test of time.<br />By the way, I bought a SONY mini-DV 3CCD camcorder TRV-900 which gets regular use and has been an excellent performer.  It cost over $2000 in 1999 but the quality and performance is excellent.  I say this only to reinforce the fact that I believe Sony can still produce quality IF -BIG IF-  it wants to do so.<br />Not that a mass market VCR/DVD combo should cost a fortune but I would rather pay $500 for a quality unit I can enjoy for 10 years or more instead of $250 to get a ho-hum unit that misses the mark in performance every time I use it.quality IF -BIG IF-  it wants to do so. <br />Not that a mass market VCR/DVD combo should cost a fortune but I would rather pay $500 for a quality unit I can enjoy for 10 years or more instead of $250 to get a ho-hum unit that misses the mark in performance every time I use it.