LG DV-2000

Author's product rating:   

Picture Playback	Good
Sound Level	Excellent
Ease of Use	Simple
Range of Features	Excellent
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	VALUE FOR MONEY, QUALITY, CLASSY LOOKS
Disadvantages:	SHEER SIZE OF DVD/VCR UNIT

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Last year, we splashed out on an all singing, all dancing widescreen television for the living room. The television had loads of very nice features, but unfortunately, surround sound output was reserved for the next model up. The TV was also silver, as seems to be the fashion these days, so the 15 year old black VCR looked very sorry nestled within the space age cabinet. So, it had to go...

I first became aware of the combined DVD/VCR player when my friend bought one. The concept made sense, a good compromise for any household. You cannot replace a VCR with a DVD player, because you have no means of playing old cassettes. Likewise, in this digital age, it seems foolhardy to just by another ordinary VCR. Enter the combined DVD/VCR!

Of course, there is a twist to the LG DV-2000 set up. You get your VCR. You get your DVD. You also get an excellent surround sound system with subwoofer! Of course, it costs the earth... Hold on, my mistake. Via Comet's website, the whole lot was delivered to my door for £245. That's less than some companies charge for just the DVD/VCR unit...

The specification is excellent, and betters many more expensive models from well respected brands. Here are some of the highlights:

Dolby ProLogic II Output
DTS Digital Surround Sound
DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW Playback
CD, CD-R, CD-RW Playback
MP3 Playback
24 Bit Audio Sampling (Best Quality Sound)
5 small but powerful satellite speakers
1 large and punchy subwoofer
On Screen Display
Self Setting Clock
Intelligent Record Timer (if your programme is delayed, it knows!)

There are so many more features (take a look at the Comet website). It really does everything you could want (except make a cup of tea, I think that's the next model up!)

What about the performance, both audio and visual? Well, the audio output is something else - the first DVD watched was "The Fast and The Furious", and the house shook. The sound is incredible - the little speakers are very deceptive, as they pack a big punch. The subwoofer rumbled, and it was just like being at the cinema (better in fact - didn't have to pay an entry fee!). It is possible to fine tune the individual output from each speaker, and there are also a number of presets (THEATRE, HALL, LIVE) to choose from. Furthermore, as you increase the volume, there is no sound distortion. The volume control is broken down into 30 segments; at 20, it's deafening.

The picture quality is also excellent, especially when playing a DVD. The pause is rock steady (not always the case on a DVD player), and depending on the DVD being watched, it is possible to alter the camera angles, to move the picture around the screen, and also to zoom in and out. There is also a funky screensaver, so there is no chance of images burning into the screen. The VCR offers short play and long play, and has an intelligent record timer that knows when a programme has been delayed. So, if you set it to start recording at 5pm, but the programme is postponed until 6pm, it will adjust itself as necessary.

So, for the price some companies charge for a VCR, you can have this very impressive DVD/VCR unit, and enjoy amazing surround sound. The only criticism is that, compared to some other combination units, it's very large - the width is pretty much standard, but it is very deep - we had to modify the TV stand to accommodate it. Mind you, with all those features, perhaps it needs to be big...

[The system is still available from the Comet website for the same price - have a look!]