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“This is one lovely machine.... ”

written by Mike Paterson on 01/05/2003

Good Points
Good clean smart design, VCR exceptional quality, DVD plays ALL known CD-R & CD-RW, Auto Set Up & Auto Clock Update, Programme Delivery Control (PDC),Enhanced Audio Mode (EAM)

Bad Points
Remote difficult to view (see below), MP3 limited to 200 tracks.

General Comments
This is one lovely machine....

Straight out of the box connect it to the satellite box and TV, switch on and away you go - fully auto channelized and clock updated.

Note:- the clock remains updated throughout use.



The VCS records and plays beautifully - I have some very old tapes that on other machines they record quite badly, but put these tapes in the Tosh and you would not believe what you see or hear (crystal clear).

Providing you can find a tv program that offers Programme Delivery Control (PDC)this makes recording a breeze.... you simply set the date and time and press the Timer Record button. Now if the program should start and finish early/late PDC will take this into account and ammend automatically - thus you never miss those crucial recorded bits needed.

The remote however should have had further thought - it has small buttons that with VCR use you have orange text on a light grey background which makes using the remote difficult if your eyesight is poor.



The DVD picks up colours and contrast lovely (the dark opening scenes in Gladiator are shown with little problem).

I have not had any problems using any CD-R's or CD-RW's with this machine - it seems to support the ones I have tried (Memorex/TDK/Phillips/Verbattum).

VCD recordings from the PC play without fault (all my home made movies and photos are displayed clearly) However, SVCD is not supported.

The machine is region 2 only and I have'nt seen a hack to alter this to multiregion (not that this is an issue with me as UK disks are all I need) However, an undocumented report which I have seen and used that displays the firmware, simply using the supplied remote, switch to DVD and press zoom 6 0 6 zoom.



MP3 tracks are displayed clearly on the On Screen Display and are easy to select. However, ensure you only burn no more than 200 tracks to the CD as any more will not be displayed or played.



The remaining features of the Combi are quite extensive - Parental Lock,Multiple Camera Angles,Multiple Subtitle & Language Tracks,Variable Zoom (1.5/2.5/4),Pan around Zoom, the list goes on.



Suffice to say... in the period of time I have used this machine, I find it an exceptional buy (Curry's was the cheapest around at the time I purchased £199.01 - Yes 01p. They undercut even the online traders, some by quite a margin).

Forgetting the grumbles of the remote - the machine is easy to operate and totally reliable. It gives a first class VHS recording and playback. DVD has no problem issues and MP3 coupled with CD-R CD-RW/DVD-R DVD-RW/VCD is an added bonus.

Get it - you will not be dissapointed.