Zenith XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo

Average customer rating:

Educator who deals with 8 of these JUNK!

Drive won't open

You may buy this unit with the Highest confidence

Good Unit - Not Long Lasting

Only lasted 1 year

Zenith XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo

Manufacturer: Zenith
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

DVD Players | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
VCRs & TV Servers | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
DVD Players & Combos | Zenith | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
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DVD-VCR & Other DVD Combos | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
All | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
VCR-DVD Combinations | VCRs | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
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Monster Cable MP HTS800 Home Theater PowerCenter HTS800

Monster PC700 Computer PowerCenter¿ with Surge Protection

Sanus Systems TV/VCR Kit for Accurate View TV Turntables (Black)

Monster Cable B SV1SV-2M Monster Standard S-Video Cable (6.56 ft.)

Sima SUR-20 8-Device LCD Touch Screen Learning Universal Remote Control

Product Features:

Plays DVD-Video, CD, CD-R/CD-RW, MP3/WMA (CD-R/CD-RW), JPEG CD, and VHS cassettes

Onscreen MP3 file and folder navigation for easy access to the tracks you want to hear

Coaxial and optical digital audio outputs route Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound to a compatible AV receiver

Component-video, composite-video, S-video terminals and RF output

Hi-fi stereo VHS performance with 19-micron video heads for clear recordings in EP mode

ASIN: B00009KCJ1

Product Description

Focused on the digital future Zenith continues a proud heritage of leadership in home entertainment products.PRODUCT FEATURES:Progressive Scan Technology: video data is processed faster and sequentially to produce superior, crisp, clear images; Aspect Ratio Correction: intelligent resizing of video and computer images to 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 conventional formats; Variable High-Speed Scan 2x, 4x, 16x, 100x; Plays DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+RW, CD-Audio, CD-R/RW, MP3; MP3 Decoding: plays CDs filled with hours of MP3 files downloaded from your home PC; 4 Head Hi-Fi Stereo: superior slow motion and stop action features along with hi-fidelity stereo sound; 19 Head Micron Technology (19?): provides advanced picture clarity during record or play back in extended play mode (EP); Front A/V Jacks: easy access to A/V inputs for camcorders and video game systems; Auto Clock Set System: displays the correct time without ever needing to be reset.

Amazon.com

The XBV342 handles all your movie and music needs, from VHS cassette recording and playback and high-resolution DVD performance to fast and easy spinning of MP3 CDs. This combo unit saves space while simplifying entertainment hookups. The XBV342 plays CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, MP3 and WMA CDs, JPEG image CDs, and (last but certainly not least!) standard DVD-Videos. Its handy front-panel audio/video jacks simplify hookup with camcorders and video game consoles.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the XBV342 stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, providing higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

Top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. Other features include 4x and 16x moveable zoom, variable high-speed scan (2x, 4x, 16x, and 100x), parental locks, bookmarking, 20-track CD programming, and repeat and resume play.

The VCR section offers four heads (for clear slow-motion and stop-action features) and stereo sound. The deck's 19-micron video heads maintain clarity during recording or playback in EP (extended play) mode, auto digital tracking adjusts for optimal picture settings for every tape you load, and auto clock set maintains the correct time and even adjusts for daylight savings. You can't program the unit to record at specific times, but it does come with a handy Instant Recording button.

For the simplest hookup with a TV, you can use a single RCA composite-video connection to handle both DVD and VCR outputs. If you want a higher-quality connection from the DVD player, use a component- or S-video cable to an additional input on a TV (the VCR image requires a composite-video or RF connection with a TV). You can choose between an optical and a coaxial digital-audio output to feed a surround-sound signal to your Dolby Digital- or DTS-decoding audio/video receiver.

If you don't have a surround receiver or six-channel speaker setup, it's still easy to make every movie night the ultimate experience: the unit simulates surround sound through two speakers (even the stereo speakers on a TV).

What's in the Box
DVD/VCR combo unit, S-video cable, composite-video cable, RF cable, stereo analog-audio interconnect, two AAA batteries, a user's manual, a registration card, and warranty info.

Customer Reviews:

Educator who deals with 8 of these JUNK!.......2007-08-25

Also having problems with the the dvd drive dvd skips and jumps. Use these units in a intermediate school media retrival system, these units are not reliable!!!!!!!

Drive won't open.......2007-06-10

I have to go with the earlier reviews that this is not a very durable machine. We bought ours about two and a half years ago, and the drive drawer no longer opens after infrequent and gentle use. I figure we're going to be replacing this machnine and took off the back cover; nothing is jamming the mechanism.

You may buy this unit with the Highest confidence.......2005-07-17

After reading the the negative reviews of my fellow consumers I have to wonder if we all own the same unit. I have had this Zenith Combo player for approx. 18 months and have never had even one of the issues as described by others. This unit is my only DVD player on my HDTV and gets quite extensive use. I am very happy with it. I have played dozens and dozens of DVD, CD, and CD-R with no problem whatsoever.
Perfect picture, outstanding audio.
I just wanted to add my input that this unit is fantastic, very reliable, and an amazing value.
You can buy with confidence.
I guess anyone can get a lemon from anywhere at anytime, but I am very happy with this unit.

Good Unit - Not Long Lasting.......2005-03-21

Less than two years ago, I was in search of my first DVD Player. I decided I would go with a DVD/VCR combo, as I still had some old vhs tapes and I liked to record programs. I decided on this unit (at the time it was fairly expansive), as I didn't want to go cheap and end up replacing it in a year or two. Well that's exactly my problem now. About a month or two ago, it would occasionally not play DVDs, instead giving me a disc read error. I was able to fix this problem, only to have it occur a couple weeks later. Only this time it would also not eject the DVD. It would take me 10-15 times of turning on/off the unit and hitting the eject button before it would eject the dvd.

Overall, it would be a good unit if it lasted longer.

Only lasted 1 year.......2004-11-17

This was my first DVD purchase and I thought it was a good buy initially, considering it combines a DVD and VCR in one product. However, I am disappointed to report that at exactly 1 year the display began flickering and jumping around like crazy. The remote no longer works and the display is unreadable. The record timer for the VCR doesn't work anymore either. When I contacted Zenith with my problems, they told me it would cost $45 plus shipping just for them to diagnose the problem. Then, they would let me know how much the parts/labor would cost to repair it. I told them that was not acceptable but they were totally inflexible. There is no reason why an electronics item like this should fail after only 1 year. I'm not sure why they call it "customer service". This customer will not buy anything with the Zenith name on it again.

Customer Reviews:

satisfied, nice TV.......2005-12-09

I have had this set for about 6 months now. Overall, I am very satisfied with it and have had no reliability problems. It was chosen based on size (fits nicely in my existing cabinet), image quality in the retail store (hooked up to HDTV), portability of LCD sets in general, and price (on sale at a local retailer).

TV-Guide feature: Nice when it works, but quirky. After an initial 24hr download period, it displays the channels and TV schedule. However, there have been several long periods where the program information disappears saying "No Data". I assume this is a data deficiency on the part of my local cable company rather than the TV, but I don't know for sure. It seems to resume functioning at will. When the TV guide is out of action, I get the TV schedule off the internet as needed. Even when the program data is out, it still displays the channel logos, which are helpful for channel navigation.

Image quality: In the spirit of Duke Ellington's famous quote "If it sounds good, it IS good", the screen resolution seems pretty good to me. Of course I upgraded to this set from a 27" conventional set so I suppose my standards may be less refined than other reviewers. I don't have HDTV yet. I did buy an up-convert DVD player (Samsung DVD-HD850) which is connected via HDMI, with a very noticeable improvement in image quality. DVDs are very pleasing in 1080i. I'm sure HDTV will be as well whenever I am able to make that upgrade.

Sound: Good. DVD sound is routed through my home theater system rather than the TV. TV sound is not bad. I agree with the previous reviewer in that the Dolby simulation sounds cheesy. But I can easily live without it.

Customer Service: haven't needed it!

Final opinion: although perhaps not the sine-qua-non of HDTV, I am very satisfied with this set and would recommend it without reservation as a nice, portable, reliable 16:3 set which will accomodate HDTV and HDMI devices.

Sharp LC-32D5U should be better.......2005-09-04

We have this tv for 3 weeks. The first week the TV Guide feature worked. I tried to add a channel to the listing, did not know that Comcast Cable had to do that and something got messed up and hasn't worked since. Comcast has spend 7 hrs here and Sharp has no answers. The TV Guide does not work, the listing on the screen for the channel does not display anything. Does anyone know how the TV Guide works??? The set up on screen and in the manual does not correct anything. The cable technician came and now when you press the remote for up channel it jumps from 5 to 600 and when you press the down arrow it goes to 713, which is not down by any means. How can anything get this messed up? Thinking of returning it and have 2 more weeks. Have another call into Sharp on Tuesday to see if someone else can help. Found out yesterday they don't make this model anymore. How good can it be???

Not as great as everyone claims it is.......2005-05-23

I actually believed the great reviews about Sharp LCDs and forked over lots of cash for my LC 32D5U. (...) Rest assured; I have this overpriced paperweight in my living room and I've spent the last four days struggling to get it to work. Here are my impressions:

- Great Picture... eventually. It takes a while to get the TV set up, but once it's right, the picture is amazing (as long as it's not a dark scene). To find the best setting I started on the "Movie" AV mode. I turned off the OPC (automatically adjusts brightness based on room brightness). Other settings:
Backlight +2
Contrast +24
Brightness +3
Color, Tint, Sharpness 0
Color Temperature Medium (This is on the advanced menu)
All other settings are the same as the "Movie" mode.

Despite these settings, the TV does not handle dark scenes very well. I loaded Splinter Cell Chaos Theory on my XBox. Most of the game takes place in shadows. My 11-year old Toshiba had excellent color and you could distinguish between different shades of black. Out of the box, none of the AV modes made the game clear on the LC-32D5U. After I made the changes above, it got much better, but it's still not as good as the colors on my old analog TV. I have a pretty critical eye, but I don't think the Sharp is any better than other LCD TVs on the market.

- Decent Sound. The simulated Dolby surround is pathetic. It makes background noise and music sound pretty good, but all the dialog gets muffled and you can't understand what anyone is saying. Fortunately, the normal mode is pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of bass, but I had to turn it up slightly (+5) to keep the sound from being too tinny. The sound is much better than my old Toshiba.

One problem is the audio output. You have a choice between "Fixed" and "Variable". In fixed mode, the output signal is constant and the TV does not control it. Sound comes from both the TV speakers and the audio output. This sounded wonderful with my TV connected to a high-end set of PC speakers with a subwoofer. Unfortunately, in this mode, the TV volume does not control the audio output so even when you press "Mute" the sound keeps coming from the external speakers. If you choose "Variable", the TV will control the volume of the external speakers, but it stops using the built-in speakers. In this case, the sound is not as good because it is further away from the picture. I'd like an option in between. I can't believe that months of R&D couldn't consider something I discovered in ten minutes.

- Poor ATSC Tuner. The tuner cannot handle virtual channels in digital broadcasts. My local Fox station (WOGX) broadcasts on channel 31.1, but the PSIP claims 51.1 (to keep the station's analog UHF "brand" of "Fox 51"). Despite 70-72% signal strength, the TV refuses to display the broadcast. It does display other local broadcasts: CBS (58-62% signal) and PBS (82-85% signal). These look awesome when they have HD programming.

Setting the channels on all the tuners (analog and digital) is a frustrating exercise. The TV wants to scan for channels automatically and you can't add them manually. The digital OTA broadcasts are especially frustrating because there are only three of them in my area, but I have to wait for the TV to go through all 61 channels (and it only picks up two of them). For my cable channels, I only want to display about ten of them so I have to go through the entire list and tell it to skip each station. It's exasperating because of the sluggish response when changing channels (see below).

- Castrated HDMI. I hooked up a Samsung DVD-HD850 upconverting DVD player using two different THX-certified DVDs and ran the THX Optimizer. The DVD player manual confirms full-spectrum RGB color pallet (0-255). The Sharp, however, can only display 7 of the 10 black shades in the test screen. Curiously, when I connect the DVD player with analog cables, all 10 shades are displayed.

- Senseless Resolution. I don't understand why LCDs come in 1366x768 resolution. This does not match any of the HDTV standards. (This is why I bought the DVD-HD850 only to learn that it's upconversion for 768p meant 1024x768, not 1366x768.) I figured the Sharp would convert any incoming signal into 768p, but it actually converts all incoming signals to 1080i. How it can do that without the proper resolution is a mystery to me. Sharp's 45" LCD uses 1920x1080... heck, Dell has a laptop with 1920x1200 resolution. If the TV converts everything to 1080i, why not have that as the native resolution?

- Useless Manual and Obscure Interface. The manual doesn't really explain anything that you can't figure out by navigating the on-screen menu options. It does not actually explain what the options do or what they mean, it simply lists the options (which you can just as easily read on the screen). I'd say the menus are adequate, but not spectacular. I think Samsung does a much better job in that department. (I recently helped my brother set up his new Samsung DLP TV.)

One annoying note is that the Sharp does not let you name the inputs yourself. You can choose from a list of input labels, but you cannot type your own. Also, despite the manual explicitly talking about connecting gaming devices, there are no options for "Game" (let alone "XBox", "PS2", etc.).

- Sluggish Response. This problem isn't limited to the sharp. It seems all the new TVs take forever to change inputs or even change channels. Each channel (cable or air) takes a long second or two to display and you can't just scroll through them because the TV insists on displaying each one as you go through the dial.

- TV Guide & Other Gimmicks. The inclusion of the TV Guide "feature" is obviously in the first generation. The interface is less than intuitive. It relies on analog OTA or cable broadcast of TV listings. The unit managed to pick up my listings in less then 24 hours, but it's at the mercy of Cox Cable... it does not display any information on local OTA broadcasts (just OTA for Jacksonville and Orlando). That's an issue with the cable company, but that also makes the recording functions useless for local channels (required for HD recording). Speaking of useless, the built in Firewire ("iLInk") is a good idea, but I have yet to find any AV-HDD advertised that will work with it. I think rather than mess with all these new technologies, Sharp should've focused on getting the ATSC tuner and HDMI interface working correctly.

- Huge. This is a 32-inch display but the TV's footprint is 38 inches wide. That's only an inch shy of Samsung's 42" DLP! I think the LC-32D7U (detachable speakers on the bottom) uses a more efficient design, but it costs about $300 more. It is otherwise identical to the LC-32D5U which means it shares all the other flaws.

Of all these issues, the ATSC tuner and HDMI issues are fatal flaws in my opinion. I've given Sharp customer support one more day to try to resolves these problems before I cash in on my 10 day return policy.

Sharp LC-32D5U 32" LCD TV with Wall-Mount Installation

Average customer rating:

satisfied, nice TV
Sharp LC-32D5U should be better
Not as great as everyone claims it is

Sharp LC-32D5U 32" LCD TV with Wall-Mount Installation

Manufacturer: Sharp
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

TVs | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

All Sharp | Sharp | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics

By Size | TVs & HDTVs | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration Wizard DVD

Product Features:

1366 x 768 Res
450 cd/m2 Brightness
Advanced Super View
Digital Cable Ready

ASIN: B0009U5UHO

Customer Reviews:

satisfied, nice TV.......2005-12-09

Sharp LC-32D5U should be better.......2005-09-04

Not as great as everyone claims it is.......2005-05-23

Average customer rating:

Voice-It VT-300

A very small, easy to use, durable pocket recorder .

Spend more get more

Worked for my needs, but flawed

Nice Product, Poor Quality Control

VXI-Voice It VT300 Personal Note Digital Voice Recorder

Manufacturer: VXI Corporation
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Digital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Digital Voice Recorders | Portable Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
VXI | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
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Memorex High Performance AAA Alkaline Battery 4 Pack

Memorex High Performance AAA Alkaline Batteries, 12 Pack

Memorex High Performance AAA Alkaline Battery 8 Pack

Sony ECM-R300 Business Microphones

Sony ECM-F8 Electret Condenser Microphone with Flat, Boundary Effect Design

Product Features:

Ultra-compact personal voice recorder

Records up to 5 minutes of messages

Less than a half-inch thick, weighs only 2 ounces

Stores messages on 4 channels

Flash memory protects against data loss

ASIN: B0000501EJ

Amazon.com Product Description

There's no need to lug around a bulky notebook or message pad with the VXI Voice It VT300 personal voice recorder. This device records up to 5 minutes of notes with flash memory, which protects against data loss if the battery runs out. This recorder is easy to carry, weighing only 2 ounces and measuring 3.5 by 2.25 by 0.5 inches. Its features include four channels for sorting messages, a keypad lock, two erase options, two play options, and skip-forward and -reverse buttons. It runs on one AAA battery, which is included and lasts up to six months.

The VXI Voice It VT300 comes with a visor holder with clip for mounting in your car. It has a 90-day limited warranty.

Customer Reviews:

Voice-It VT-300.......2005-09-10

Awful. Owned (and lost) an earlier version of the Voice It product line, and this is pretty much inferior in every way. Vocal quality is bad at any speed. No matter, since the buttons seem to have deteriorated to the point where I can't record anything anyway. All I get is three beeps - no action. Evidently, the manufacturer hates it too. Called the customer support number on the back of the unit and all you get is a recording saying they no longer support the Voice It line. Avoid like Katrina backwash.

A very small, easy to use, durable pocket recorder ........2003-08-17

Almost two years ago I wrote a review on the VT300. I recently bought another (I'm sold on these great thought catchers) and found that VXI has moved to a AAA battery. A significant (and cheeper) advance over the four CR-2025 lithium batteries!

Like most harried Americans I have a life on the run. I find myself always in need of a scrap of paper and a pen to jot down fleeing thoughts. "Voice It" has helped simplified my beleaguered world by giving me the quick ability to capture my retreating memories.

The VT300 is a solid performer, and the battery life has improved significantly over the first VXI models. The sound quality is better, its playback volume (though not adjustable) is sufficient and the microphone sensitivity is appropriate.

I like the layout of the buttons. They are tactical and easily felt when driving or in the dark of night. I often leave my VT300 by my bed side where I can reach pick it up and capture my last thought before sleep. I also found the "Voice It" to be a great device for recording your dreams in the middle of the night.

I found the recorder to be most durable. I have sat on it, dropped it and spit coffee on it yet like the bunny, it runs and runs.

I commend buying "Voice It 300", over the VT90, as the difference in price is slight ([amt]). For those, like me, with porous memories, this very small, easy to use, pocket recorder will be continually used. Highly Recommended

Spend more get more.......2003-06-13

I had been looking for such a device for a long time, something to record speech, take notes, etc. After much looking around I settled on the IAudio CW200. The 256MB or the cheaper 128MB models store hours and hours of voice AND... it's MP3 and an FM radio and it's no heaver or larger than this device. Yes it's more expensive (about 3x) but for all the extra features and one less device to carry around its well worth it.

Another possibility is the iRiver iFP-180T 128 MB MP3 Player which is only about 2x also with MP3 and Voice.

Worked for my needs, but flawed.......2002-12-14

As a songwriter/general idea person -- one with a terrible memory -- this was a great little machine. Simple (I don't need multiple folders or shuffle play) and really small. However, like all the VoiceIt models, it has one major flaw, and that is that the buttons protrude -- they stick out. This means that keys in your pocket or the side of a desk you lean against can press the "play" button, and it's very embarrassing when your pocket starts talking! Worse, on more than one occasion, the "erase all" button was pressed and I lost everything. It doesn't take a genius to see this is a bad design, but these guys turned out several models with the same problems. I recommend against any brand that has a protruding "erase" button.

Nice Product, Poor Quality Control.......2002-02-05

I, too, upgraded from the VT-90 to the VT-300 for the extra time capacity. I also prefer not having to shop for foolish watch battery sizes. Standard AAA's are MUCH easier to find and last a lot longer. A volume control would be nice, since playback is loud, and that sucks battery life fast! Talking quieter into the unit improves the loudness, but fidelity fades along with it.

BUT -- my biggest gripe is the cheap buttons. They gradually deteriorated over time, either failing to connect or bouncing (start-and-stop recording immediately), missing the recording repeatedly. Now, I can't even get it to operate 1 time out of 30 button presses.

The BEST feature is how compact it is. Nobody else has one that even comes close in size. Too bad they didn't design a better keypad.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics