{"product_id":"zenith-xbv-343-video-cassette-recorder-dvd-player-combo-fully-serviced","title":"Zenith XBV-343 Video Cassette Recorder \/ DVD Player Combo * Fully Serviced","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"div_block-244-101336\" class=\"ct-div-block\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"headline-251-101336\" class=\"ct-headline\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"span-253-101336\" class=\"ct-span\"\u003eZenith XBV343 DVD\/VCR Combo Reviewed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"div_block-247-101336\" class=\"ct-div-block\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"shortcode-312-101336\" class=\"ct-shortcode\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pp-multiple-authors-boxes-wrapper pp-multiple-authors-wrapper pp-multiple-authors-layout-inline multiple-authors-target-shortcode box-post-id-434847 box-instance-id-1 ppma_boxes_434847\" data-post_id=\"434847\" data-instance_id=\"1\" data-additional_class=\"pp-multiple-authors-layout-inline.multiple-authors-target-shortcode\" data-original_class=\"pp-multiple-authors-boxes-wrapper pp-multiple-authors-wrapper box-post-id-434847 box-instance-id-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ppma-layout-prefix\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ppma-author-category-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"pp-multiple-authors-boxes-ul\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"pp-multiple-authors-boxes-li author_index_0 author_hometheater no-avatar\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pp-author-boxes-avatar-details\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Zenith_XBV343_DVD_VCR_combo.gif\" src=\"https:\/\/hometechnologyreview.com\/images\/Zenith_XBV343_DVD_VCR_combo.gif\" class=\"mt-image-right perfmatters-lazy entered pmloaded\" height=\"158\" width=\"225\" title=\"Zenith XBV343 DVD\/VCR Combo Reviewed 1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hometechnologyreview.com\/images\/Zenith_XBV343_DVD_VCR_combo.gif\" data-sizes=\"225px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\" sizes=\"225px\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca data-lasso-id=\"1006\" href=\"https:\/\/hometechnologyreview.com\/zenith\/\" data-cl-type=\"af\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eZenith\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eis an old and reliable consumer electronics brand. During the 1950s and '60s, Zenith was a leader in color television. Over time, they have re-invented themselves to become a leading C\/E brand today. Currently, the company is owned by LG Electronics, offering a wide range of HDTV products, and more recently DVD\/VCR combination models. Zenith certainly offers quite a bit of bang for your buck, too. It is one of the most reasonably priced full-featured progressive scan DVD players with an integrated 4-Head HiFi VCR products available today. Their model XBV343 is priced at $199\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"pp-multiple-authors-boxes-li author_index_0 author_hometheater no-avatar\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"pp-multiple-authors-boxes-li author_index_0 author_hometheater no-avatar\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pp-author-boxes-avatar-details\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"div_block-62-101336\" class=\"ct-div-block\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"inner_content-65-101336\" class=\"ct-inner-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnique Features - Housed in an attractive all-silver cabinet that is less than 4-inches high, the Zenith model XBV343 features a single-play progressive scan DVD player that is located on the left-hand side of the unit. On the right-hand side of the unit is a 4-head HiFi VCR. Key controls are located directly underneath the respective unit, separated in the middle by a wide LCD display screen. A noteworthy control button is located just left of center--Copy, which allows for the copying of a non-copy-protected DVD onto a VHS tape. This model also provides a front A\/V inputs (Line 2) connector. This allows for the easy attachment of a camcorder or game console.\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XBV343 will also play back music CDs, DVD-R\/RWs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, N1133 and WMA-encoded CDs, plus JPEG Picture CDs. Like virtually all DVD players today, this model will output both Dolby Digital and DTS signals via its digital audio outputs. It also includes a simulated 3D surround effect to enhance the sound in a two-speaker setting. The VCR portion is a 4-Head HiFi VCR that features 19 micron heads for optimum recording and playback at the slowest SLP speeds. This model includes a 181-channel tuner with auto clock set. The user is also able to program eight events over a 365-day period. There is a three-second back-up timer in case of short brownouts, as well as commercial skip that will quickly advance the tape in 30-second increments of recorded material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis player comes with a remote control that handles both DVD and VCR operations. While there are no illuminated or glow-in-the-dark keys, the rubberized keys are sensibly laid out with the cursor ring (with directional and enter keys) in the middle, and a thumb rest at the bottom of the remote. (Of course, this could also be a thumb scanner or a DNA collector.) Except for the Power key and Rec keys that are in blue, all keys are grand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-100995\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Zenith_XBV343_DVD_VCR_combo.gif\" src=\"https:\/\/hometechnologyreview.com\/images\/Zenith_XBV343_DVD_VCR_combo.gif\" class=\"mt-image-right perfmatters-lazy entered pmloaded\" width=\"225\" height=\"158\" title=\"Zenith XBV343 DVD\/VCR Combo Reviewed 2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/hometechnologyreview.com\/images\/Zenith_XBV343_DVD_VCR_combo.gif\" data-sizes=\"225px\" data-ll-status=\"loaded\" sizes=\"225px\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstallation\/Setup\/Ease of Use - Like other DVD\/VCR combos on the\u003cbr\u003emarket today, installation and setup was very easy. Also like other\u003cbr\u003ecombos, you are given a choice of either convenience (using the DVD+VCR\u003cbr\u003econnectors) or best image quality (using either S-Video or component\u003cbr\u003evideo for the DVD portion). With this scenario, you will switch video\u003cbr\u003einputs on your television to watch either DVD or videos. Instead of\u003cbr\u003eusing a switch on the back panel of your player like another recently\u003cbr\u003ereviewed model, you can set the XBV343 to either interlaced or\u003cbr\u003eprogressive scan via the Set-Up menu. This was very easy to accomplish,\u003cbr\u003eand preferable to the switch option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"AdThrive_Content_2_desktop\" class=\"adthrive-ad adthrive-sticky-container adthrive-content adthrive-content-2 adthrive-ad-cls\" data-google-query-id=\"CNDFv7r-zJUDFTsUDAIdh7sRlA\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/18190176,22086916104\/AdThrive_Content_2\/5e501f06e3bb8f7ddc539085_0__container__\"\u003e\u003ciframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/18190176,22086916104\/AdThrive_Content_2\/5e501f06e3bb8f7ddc539085_0\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_\/18190176,22086916104\/AdThrive_Content_2\/5e501f06e3bb8f7ddc539085_0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-container-id=\"3\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with other DVD\/VCR combos available, there are two sets of\u003cbr\u003ecentrally located inputs and outputs on the back of the unit. The inputs\u003cbr\u003eand outputs include S-Video, component video out, and digital audio\u003cbr\u003e(both coaxial and optical) outputs that are labeled `DVD Exclusive Out.'\u003cbr\u003eJust to the left of the DVD Exclusive connectors, you will find DVD\/VCR\u003cbr\u003econnectors. These are simply composite video and analog audio (L+R)\u003cbr\u003eRCA-type jacks. And, if you use them, it will pass all signals--both DVD\u003cbr\u003eand VCR. However, this will give you a resolution of only 240 lines for\u003cbr\u003ethe VCR, and 330 lines for the DVD player (instead of 480p). Just to\u003cbr\u003ethe left of the DVD\/VCR out jacks, you'll find VCR Line 1 in jacks,\u003cbr\u003ewhich are standard composite video and analog audio jacks. This input\u003cbr\u003ecan be used to tether a satellite box for easy recordability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn-screen menus were clear and concise. There are four icons located\u003cbr\u003eon the left-hand side of the screen: Clock, Program, Tuning, and Set\u003cbr\u003eUp. Each has its own subset of menus, which were clear and easy to\u003cbr\u003efollow, allowing you to easily configure the DVD to your specifications.\u003cbr\u003eWithin these sub-menus, you can tell it whether you have a standard\u003cbr\u003etelevision (interlaced) or a newer HD-capable model. If you do have a\u003cbr\u003enewer HD-capable model, you can obtain the full benefit of this DVD\u003cbr\u003eplayer by clicking on progressive scan. By doing so, all of your\u003cbr\u003edisplayed DVD images will be 480p. The auto clock set feature for the\u003cbr\u003eVCR works by simply turning it on from the Clock sub-menu. Of course,\u003cbr\u003eyou can set the clock manually, along with invoking the Daylight Savings\u003cbr\u003eoption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinal Take - The Zenith XBV343 is an attractive DVD\/VCR combo\u003cbr\u003eoffering many desirable features including progressive scan technology\u003cbr\u003efor the DVD portion, and 19 micron heads for the VCR portion. The\u003cbr\u003esupplied remote is simple and easy to use. I admit that I missed having\u003cbr\u003eilluminated or glow-in-the-dark keys, though I did like the thumb rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"AdThrive_Content_3_desktop\" class=\"adthrive-ad adthrive-sticky-container adthrive-content adthrive-content-3 adthrive-ad-cls\" data-google-query-id=\"CNaY0Lr-zJUDFT4XDAIdPBULkw\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/18190176,22086916104\/AdThrive_Content_3\/5e501f06e3bb8f7ddc539085_0__container__\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/3e1d1e2d824d367467876ccb8e9d246a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com\/safeframe\/1-0-45\/html\/container.html\" id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/18190176,22086916104\/AdThrive_Content_3\/5e501f06e3bb8f7ddc539085_0\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" data-is-safeframe=\"true\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-container-id=\"6\" data-load-complete=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVideo performance was on par with other DVD\/VCR combos and image\u003cbr\u003equality was above average thanks to its progressive scan capability.\u003cbr\u003eObviously, the whole point in purchasing a combo of this caliber is\u003cbr\u003ebecause it includes a progressive scan DVD player plus a HiFi VCR. Many\u003cbr\u003epeople would probably buy this unit as a replacement for their aging\u003cbr\u003eVCR, and it would offer them good value. Good value related to full\u003cbr\u003efeatures is the main selling point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zenith XBV343 is also one of the lowest priced full-featured\u003cbr\u003emodels currently available, making it an excellent value for the money.\u003cbr\u003eSo, based on performance and value, the Zenith XBV343 is an excellent\u003cbr\u003echoice if you are in the market for a DVD\/VCR combo or a replacement for\u003cbr\u003eyour old VCR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZenith XBV343 DVD\/VCR Combo\u003cbr\u003eSingle-play Progressive Scan DVD\u003cbr\u003eOne-Touch Record\u003cbr\u003ePlays back DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW,\u003cbr\u003eVideo CD, WMA \u0026amp; JPEG CD\u003cbr\u003eCopy DVD Function\u003cbr\u003eFront AN jacks\u003cbr\u003eMP3 Decoding\u003cbr\u003eVariable High-Speed Scan (2x,4x,16x,100x)\u003cbr\u003e4-Head HiFi VCR w\/19 Micron Head\u003cbr\u003eS-VHS Quasi Playback\u003cbr\u003eAuto Clock Set\u003cbr\u003e3.8\" H x 16.9\" W x 11.5\" D\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 11 lbs.\u003cbr\u003eMSRP: $199\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Zenith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48401612833013,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0673\/9204\/5301\/files\/DSC_0030_7f87b90b-6dbf-4e9a-a694-66a5555c338e.jpg?v=1783854083","url":"https:\/\/www.theturntablestore.com\/products\/zenith-xbv-343-video-cassette-recorder-dvd-player-combo-fully-serviced","provider":"The Turntable Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}