Bush DVHS1 Review

Overall Rating

Price, functionality, decent remote control, build quality is good by any standard. Video playback and record quality excellent.

A little noisy, especially when on for over an hour continuously, flashes 'Hi-Fi' on screen annoyingly during video playback at times, dvd system menu could be easier to access. A bit big.

I had bought Bush as a budget choice before and been impressed so when I looked for a cheap DVD/VCR combi for my bedroom and saw this Bush DVHS1 VCR/DVD reduced to £130 in Argos I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm glad that I did. This system, in spite of it's cheap price, doesn't comprimise on either function. The VCR is a 4-head type, and gives crisp recording quality with good tapes. It's an easy system to set recording schedule with, though it lacks videoplus, but then I've never found that too reliable anyway.

The unit sets itself up easily and switching between AV and TV is easy via the remote, as is switching between DVD and VCR, which are seemless. The system set-up for clock etc. is accessed only when in VCR mode.

The DVD is full-functioned, the menu allows for all the usual changes to audio output etc. and can be accessed when there is no DVD in the system. During playback there are many other options, including a decent zoom and detailed playback details which can be superimposed over the action.

The system has 2 scart sockets, crucial in my opinion, for if you want to record from your Sky digibox, for instance. There is also optical and digital output for your Home Cinema speakers if you have them (recommended) and the unit is a Dolby Digital system. All the other outputs are present, there has been no skimping here.

The unit is somewhat large, it's not that much narrower than my 21" television above it, and it's quite deep as well, so it won't fit in a small corner. However, it is very well built and has a nice solidity about it. The display is green LEDs complemented by red record indicator and other info, that glow brightly during playback and dim enough for the bedroom when the system is on standby and the 12/24hr clock displayed. It can be a bit noisy during both video and dvd playback, and more so when recording, though my positioning of it on an echoey shelf didn't help in my case. You will not hear it above the sound of the TV though unless on very low volume. The buttons are solid, firm and clunky.

The remote control is good, some of the buttons are a little small and closely spaced though, and it can be hard to remember which is which or to easily press the wrong one if the room is dark. All the features are on there, though, which I like.

I would go so far as to say this unit has a superior build quality to some Sony products I have owned, and is far, far cheaper.

Overall I would recommend this unit without hesitation to anyone looking to spend up to £150 on a DVD/VCR combi.

Members' Comments onpritch's Review

• Andrews on 18th Apr 2004

  I had a Bush DVD/VCR Combi and I agree with what you say. But the noise was a major problem for me since it emitted a high pitch sound when the VCR was on. I took it out of my tv cabinet to see if this made any difference but it didn't. Unlike you I did not want to play the television so loud that I couldn't hear the noise so I took it back to the store.

• hhworth on 18th Dec 2005

  No-one can tell me which blank DVD make to buy to record on this unit. I have tried a standard DVD+R from Misco and the unit says incorrect disc. I bought it from Homebase and they haven't a clue. I can't find Bush Customer Service contact details. Help!