What to Buy > Audio 436 436 people found this article helpful The Best DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combinations of 2024 The best options for DVD and VCR recording By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 11, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. In This Article View All In This Article Reviews Or Maybe These? What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions The best DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combinations allow you to easily back up your existing VHS collection to a more modern media, saving you physical space and keeping your precious videos safe. It'll save you plenty of physical space, too, as you can put your VHS collection into storage afterward. Physical media continues to be on its way out, and these devices are becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Some of our recommendations are only available used or refurbished and we've marked that in the review. Best Overall Sanyo FWZV475F PHOTO: Amazon $800 at Walmart Pros Includes in-line recording Parental lock Cons Comparatively expensive The Sanyo FWZV475F is compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW disc formats, which can be played back on most DVD players, and it also can both record and play VHS tapes. You can also dub from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS, provided the dubbed content is not copy-protected. The FWZV475F is compatible with DVDs/CDs/Kodak CD Picture Discs for additional playback flexibility. Inputs include both composite and S-video (along with analog stereo audio). In terms of video output capability, progressive scan is accommodated via the component video outputs and HDMI, and 1080p video upscaling via HDMI is possible when connected to a 1080p TV (720p upscaling is also possible for 720p TVs). However, one thing that is important to point out is that the FWZV475F does have a built-in tuner. You must connect a Cable/Satellite or DTV Converter Box to record TV programs. As supplies run out, this unit may only be available refurbished or used. Up-Conversion: 1080p | Compatibility: DVD-R, DVD-RWDVDs, CDs, Kodak CD Picture Discs, VHS tapes | Conversion: 2 ways Best for Playback Philips DVP3345V PHOTO: Walmart $600 at Walmart Pros Progressive scan feature Compatible with JPEGs and MP3s to play photos and music Easy to set up and use Cons Records only DVDs to VHS Relies on remote for inputs If you're primarily looking for a device to convert DVDs to VHS, you'll like the Philips DVP3345V Combo DVD Player/VCR. It won't convert the other way, but it makes up for this lack of functionality with the ability to play movies and music comprehensively. You can use it for MP3 media files, so it's great for listening to music and viewing JPEGs on your TV. We're also big fans of its Progressive Scan feature, as this player can optimize your recording's image quality so you get clearer and sharper videos with fewer lines on the screen. It's an attractively versatile and easy-to-use media player that should handle all your multimedia playback needs. Up-Conversion: VHS conversion | Compatibility: CD- (S)VCD- DVD- DVD+R/RW- DVD-R/RW- DVD+R DL- VHS | Conversion: 1-way Best Upscaling Magnavox ZV427MG9 PHOTO: Amazon $160 at Amazon $256 at Walmart Pros Converts VCR to DVD and vice-versa 1080p upscale conversion HDMI output included Cons Unattractive design Needs separate tuner to record via TV This product is available in used condition from Amazon and new from Walmart. The Magnavox ZV427MG9 has genuinely useful features for all your VHS and DVD needs. Its best feature is the ability to upscale so you can automatically convert your videos to a higher resolution, thanks to its 1080p up-conversion functionality. There's also two-way conversion, so you can convert DVDs and VCR tapes into both formats—something not all DVD recorder/VHS VCR combos offer. Alongside all that is HDMI output, although it's not quite perfect. You must purchase a separate tuner to record shows directly off your TV as they air. Despite that drawback and its dated design, the ZV427MG9 is an easy-to-use and practical device. Even though it has an older appearance, the device is relatively progressive with what it offers, and upscaling is sure to be particularly helpful. The Magnavox ZV427MG9 is available only used on Amazon. Up-Conversion: 1080p | Compatibility: DVD-video, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD-DA, Video CD, CD-RW, CD-R, VHS | Conversion: 2 ways Best With Built-in Tuner LG RC897T PHOTO: Amazon $419 at Amazon Pros Built-in Tuner HD component output Upscales content Cons Small remote Limited availability This product is available only in refurbished condition. Like many other DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combos, the LG RC897T DVD Recorder/VCR Combination is an older device, and its price has rocketed recently. It offers everything you need if you're willing to spend a lot on a quality DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combo. That includes a built-in tuner so you can easily record from your TV without buying an additional tuner. You can also convert between DVD and VHS in either direction, and the device is compatible with most DVD formats and can play back CDs. The RC897T has 1080p upscaling, analog and DV video inputs, and a USB to plug memory sticks to play back family photos or music files. The unit also complies with the DTV transmission requirement with its built-in ATSC tuner, allowing for the reception of digital TV signals. It might be aging technology, but the RC897T keeps you updated with what you need. Up-Conversion: 1080p | Compatibility: VHS, DVD-R Dual Layer, CD, DVD, HD DVD, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray, DVD-RW Dual Layer, CD-R, DVD+RW, CD-RW, DVD+R | Conversion: 1 way Best Budget Magnavox MDV560VR PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Pros Use it to play DVDs, CDs, or VHS Sleek design Cons Can’t convert VHS to DVD This product is available only in used condition. If you’re looking for an affordable multimedia player for your entertainment system, the Magnavox MDV560VR gets the job done. While it can’t convert VHS to DVD, it can do just about everything else—use it to play your favorite DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs, and MP3 CDs. You can also use it to watch video slideshows. You can easily connect the Magnavox to your home speaker system, letting you enjoy the music throughout your house. It’s packed with useful features, too, including auto-head cleaning, S-VHS playback, and the ability to time/index search. The Magnavox also supports Dolby Digital surround and linear PCM passthrough from a coaxial digital audio output. This would be a fantastic VHS/DVD player for older relatives who don’t need anything overly techy but want to enjoy their favorite movies and shows. It also features a modern silver design, which would look great in any living room. Up-Conversion: 1080p | Compatibility: DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes | Conversion: 1 way Or Maybe These? Which model has the widest format compatibility? The Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK (used only) and JVC DR-MV150B (used only) can record and play most DVD formats. They can also play CDs, MP3s, and DivX files. What's the best for audio? The Magnavox DV22MW9 stands out when it comes to audio. It supports multi-language options and Dolby Digital, providing clear, impressive audio for your home entertainment system. Since it supports surround sound, connecting it to your home theater is easy. I want one that's easy to use. The Funai ZV427FX4 DVD Recorder/VCR Combo is reliable and easy to use, so converting your family VHS home videos to DVDs won't take a lot of effort. I want the basics. The practical Funai Dual Deck DVD and VHS combination gives you precisely what you paid for and not much more. What to Look For in a DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combination You can expect more than just the basic facilities for a good-quality DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combination. Many allow you to upscale your media, meaning you can change anything previously recorded in a lower resolution to fit modern TVs more accurately. Getting hold of a new DVD Recorder/VHS combo is becoming increasingly trickier, so you'll often need to buy a refurbished or second-hand unit. That doesn't mean you should expect to make too many concessions in exchange for the privilege. Here's a brief rundown of what you should remember before buying any of these DVD Recorder/VHS Combos. Besides helping you slim down your existing media library, you can migrate any media from VHS to a writable blank DVD, allowing you to access your beloved videos easily. Built-in Tuner A built-in tuner lets you record TV programs, which many people find handy in DVD recorder/VHS VCR combo devices. You'll have to connect a Cable/Satellite or DTV converter box without a built-in tuner. Only some units listed here have a built-in tuner, so you'll need to budget (and find the room) for a separate unit to reap the full benefits. Price If you’re on a budget, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a low-cost DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combo device. Since supply is shrinking, prices of remaining units (some of which can be nearly a decade old) are getting expensive. Some sell for as much as two to three times higher than their original selling prices. Look out for used units, which can be cheaper but still functional. Upscaling Support If you're converting and transferring video footage between VHS and DVD or vice-versa, it's helpful to upscale what you already have. Most DVD Recorders/VHS combos on our list support upscaling, and it's worth the extra expense if you want your home videos to look better than before. Compatibility Different DVD Recorder/VHS Combos offer various levels of support for the kind of discs they'll accept. This may be fine for you, but if you already have a supply of recordable DVDs, it makes sense to be sure you can use them on your new device. The Best DVD Recorders of 2024 FAQ Does a DVD VCR recorder play VHS? Most DVD//VCR combos can record in DVD-R and DVD-RW disc format and play VHS. The Funai ZV427FX4 can pull this off, giving it much general flexibility. It can also dub from VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS, as long as the dubbed content doesn't have copyright protection. The physical media the recorder is compatible with includes DVDs/CDs/Kodak CD Picture Discs and VHS tapes. Does Sony make a DVD VCR? Sony has made DVD VCRs in the past, and it's still possible to find them used on Amazon and eBay. However, Sony doesn't manufacture new DVD VCRs. How to transfer VHS to DVD without a VCR? There are a few options to transfer VHS to DVD without a VCR, including a DVD recorder, a DVD Recorder/VHS VCR combo unit, or connecting a VCR to a PC via a video capture device. If none of those options work, you can get professional help from a video duplicator to transfer the DVD professionally. That might be a good option for prized media like a wedding video. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit