Region Free DVD VCR Combo

The combo

Combo is the short form for 'combination' and we use the term when we combine things together, especially in the arena of electronic devices. Home theater has been popular from the old days when people used a magic lantern to see on a celluloid screen moving images and marvel at the technological wonder. But those days are now history. Advent of video cassettes first and then Video cassette players and Video cassette recorder or VCR, replaced the old home theaters and now people got acquainted in viewing movies and video programs on their TV screens at the comfort of their homes. In later days, came the DVD players.

Though you have your VCR, a TV and a DVD player, the equipment are all separate ones and by combining the VCR and the DVD, This became advantageous from operational point of view. Not only that, it brought down the prices.

The scenario

In the field of invention, there has always been someone who took the lead. This time it was the well known Samsung Electronics who took the lead. They launched a combination of a home theater DVD player and a VCR. The advantage of this device was that it combined the features of a DVD, a VCD, and a MP3 player with that of a VCR. Thus a dream of the inventors was fulfilled and a new wonder was available to the aspirant customer. This combo has a superb picture quality and the audio system features Dolby Digital/DTS.

With this kind of immaculate picture quality, this new combination provides a better personal entertainment in the comfort of your home. The pleasure to watch the movies of your choice, at your leisure, in your home, along-with your friends and family, has suddenly become so desirable. Companies like Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, and Phillips started manufacturing their own brands of combos soon after Samsung. In the fierce competitive commercial world no one desires to lag behind

Advantages of a combo

A combo combines the features of a DVD, a VCR and a MP3 player in one. No more necessity of plug in and plug out different devices for different purposes. All of these devices can now be controlled with a single remote control. You can simultaneously view a movie; listen to your favorite music while recording either of them. One great advantage is that the price of DVD/VCR combo is much less than the prices of these devices taken separately.

The standard barrier

Home theater, DVD and video cassettes are now popular and used world over. But the important factor is that it is not possible to view a DVD or a cassette everywhere or on every device. For example a DVD or cassette manufactured in North America can not be viewed in Europe or Asia. The reason is that they use different standards. And these standards are not compatible to each other. The North American region uses NTSC standard while the European and Asian countries mostly use PAL standard. France and a few countries have the older SECAM standard. But a PAL DVD cannot be viewed on an NTSC TV or a NTSC standard cassette can not be recorded on a PAL compatible VCR. The region based standard specification barrier happens to be the greatest hindrance in viewing DVDs and cassettes all over the world. You have often bought that DVD from France and when you try to use your own equipment. And you are disappointed because you are unable to view that DVD.

Region free concept

When you opt for a region free DVD/VCR combo, there is no standard specification barrier. Such equipment is also called a code free combo. This equipments features playing of video tapes, DVDs and CDs obtained from anywhere in the world. Now you will be able to play your PAL DVDs on your NTSC TV which would not have been possible when you were not using a region-free DVD/VCR combo.

You will find a number of attractive features in your DVD/VCR combo. It can play any DVD, VCD, Audio CD, and VHS tape procured from any region. While you are watching a DVD, you can also record your favorite program on the VCR and simultaneously listen to a MP3 CD. There is the facility of automatic clock set up and channel surfing, not available in earlier systems. The device is compact and takes much less space than the earlier combination of three independent devices. DVD and VCR decks are remotely controlled and the buttons on the device are user friendly. For optimisation of connectivity and performance there are composite S-Video and output programs. You can even record a DVD in this system, if the DVD is not copy protected with Macro-vision. The device has a RF input and output system it can connect to all old and new TVs.

Special features of a DVD/VCR combo Some of the important features in a DVD/VCR combo is given below: