 
by Maurice Lewis
So, you walk into the retail store, and see a whole spate of DVD players and VCRs lining the walls. How do you discern between them? How much should you spend? Again, a more specific buyer's guide will be coming in the future, but here we can at least give you some idea of the different features and terms you should keep in mind when seeking out the players.
First, let's start with VCRs, since these are extremely easy to buy these days. Some basic features to look for include Hi-Fi Stereo Sound, to ensure all tapes you rent and shows you record can be played in stereo sound. Also, make sure the VCR you purchase is a 4-head VCR, to make certain pausing and slow motion playback is as clear as possible. You don't really need higher than 4-head. There are other bells and whistles you can get with a VCR, but as long as it has your basics, like timer-recording, remote control, etc., in addition to the features listed above, you should be fine. A popular, low-cost model VCR that gets the job done well is the Sony SLV-675HF. I have seen this model in more of my friends' homes than any other model, because of its quality and affordability. Regardless, you should not spend more than $300 max for a VCR, and in all likelihood you will not even come close to that number.
Now, purchasing a DVD player is a bit more intricate and will (and should) require a bit more thought on your part. Here are some features you should check out before investing your dollars. Speaking of dollars, while you can buy a low-end DVD player for around $300, it is probably worth spending a bit more to get a more robust player, but not too much more for most of you. Of course, you need not spend $1500 for the top-end models, but the best bang for your buck will probably run you between $400 and $500. Now, back to the features.
Most DVD players play audio CDs as well, but that is something you will want to verify just to be sure. Also, most players have an S-Video cable output (remember this? I told you to make sure your TV has an S-Video input). Make sure, just in case, since S-Video, which separates brightness and color components for an improved picture, is generally regarded as sharper than the alternative, composite video. I'm not going to confuse you with the details of both, but just make sure to ask the sales guy that your player has the S-Video output.
All DVD players will offer stereo audio output, which is essentially your two red/white outputs for use with an RCA cable. Make sure the receiver you get (we'll talk about this later) has a surround sound decoder and the resulting sound should be surround sound. Now, one thing you will definitely want with your DVD player, is Dolby Digital output. Most have this output, but just check to make sure. Again, you will want to make sure your stereo receiver can decode Dolby Digital sound. If all goes according to plans, the result will be a six channel sound which properly uses your center speaker, two front and two back speakers, and your subwoofer. Important note, however: some receivers are not able to decode Dolby Digital sound, in which case you will have to purchase a DVD Player with a built-in recorder. Just a note, but you shouldn't even consider a receiver that cannot decode Dolby Digital.
Back to pricing now. Most of the basic features you will want can be purchased for between $300 and $400. I have seen certain promotions in which these prices are brought down considerably, so keep your eyes out for sales. Sony models are very popular in these price ranges, as are Panasonic and Toshiba. Add about $100 to the price, and you will get a bit more of a robust model that will feature such enhancements as built-in Dolby Digital decoders, the ability to play Video CDs (another format not addressed in these articles), and more. I personally own the Panasonic A310, one of the most popular models in the $400-$500 price range, and I am very pleased with its performance.
For those of you with more dollars to spend, you might consider getting a joint laserdisc/DVD player. These are very popular among people who currently have a laserdisc collection and wish to consolidate their theater system. However, if you do not currently own a laserdisc player or a collection, there really is no point, since I firmly believe the laserdisc is in decline as a format.
Now, this was just a brief overview of the features of the DVD players. If you are very interested in the intricate details of different players, then I would do more internet research and ask a lot of questions from your salesperson. However, if you are like most people looking for a solid, reasonable DVD player, this should be more than enough info and should allow you to get a good player for your system. As always, for more complete information on all terms associated with DVDs, or any component of a home theater system, check out the glossary.
Now, you should be all set for video. It's time for audio... |
