Customer Reviews

Panasonic PV-D4742 DVD-VCR Combo, Black

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

EXCELLENT UNIT! Like most people who buy a DVD/VCR combo, I didn't want to give up my VHS tape collection, but needed to save space. I wasn't able to find too many reviews to read on this particular unit, but I decided to take a chance and I wasn't disappointed. I connected my unit from a cable box using the VHF/UHF connector. I used the Video & Audio output connectors from the VCR/TV side to connect to the TV. I also bought an S-Video cable with the unit to connect the DVD output to the TV. The improved picture quality is worth the money. The VCR played both purchased videotapes as well as tapes I had recorded on my old Mitsubishi VCR. It even detected the index marks written by the old machine. I haven't recorded a great deal on this new unit, but what little I did, gave excellent video and audio results. It plays DVD's flawlessly. The picture quality is superb with the S-Video cable. I have also played a few music CD's just to make sure the unit would read them properly and it did. The sound was great (I have the 2nd audio output jacks connected to my stereo system). The remote control is relatively easy to understand and the operator's manual is pretty well written. I did have a small problem when I first connected the unit getting it into the initial program setup. But, I called the toll free Customer Call Center and the technician helped me correct the problem in short order. I would highly recommend this model to anyone looking for a combo unit.

Very solid piece of equipment. Top notch appearance, a good match for other "classic black" components in the rack. Both VCR and DVD components have all the bells and whistles I need, and image quality from both is very good. Good variety of output connection options, including optical for audio from the DVD, S-VHS and Component video from the DVD side and a standard composite video out which serves both VCR and DVD. In addition to requiring only one section of shelf space, only one video selection is required on my AV amp to use either VCR or DVD output.

I've had this player for a few weeks now and have had no problems with it. We've watched lots of tapes and DVDs, and even played a few music CDs. It was very easy to set up and the viewing quality is good. My only quibble is that the remote doesn't have a mute button.

I may just be unlucky, but my Panasonic PV-D4742 player was faulty. It would not accept my VHS videos; it consistently spit them back out. So I exchanged it for another PV-D4742, and it would only accept one out of three videos. Spit the others right out, no apparent pattern to the rejects. So despite the good quality of the picture and trouble-free DVD player, we returned our second Panasonic player and had to switch to another brand.
I hope these are the only two faulty players out there, since I have always had reliable Panasonics before.

I had hoped to replace a Samsung V1000 with this and found that I can't hook up my externally amplified speakers to it without blowing out the house. In comparison, the Samsung has a volume control and output levels that are reasonable.

The remote was confusing, as was the options for using the different features. It would be easier to have two separate components. Although not perfect, the Samsung does a better job of integrating the DVD and VCR functions and includes a tv tuner.

While I have not had any problems with the VHS player in the unit, the DVD player displays a moving black bar running across the screen when playing any DVD. My unit has been in the repair shop for the last 5 months. The service center has replaced most of the major components as well as making several timing and setting adjustments. But they have not been able to correct the problem. I am very ANGRY at Panasonic for not simply replacing the unit since it is obvious that it cannot be repaired correctly. I used to be long time fan of Panasonic products, but after this experience, I will NEVER again purchase another Panasonic product.

I just bought the Panasonic PV-D4742 DVD/VCR combo and it's great. Easy set-up and mint DVD viewing. Keep in mind that they all (this one plus others) only come with one (3') video cable.
Anyway set-up way very easy and it comes with universal remote

I received my Panasonic and hooked it up. Easy as pie. I played a brand new DVD (Men in Black)....and nothing appears except a message telling me to check the disk for scratches. The disk is mint, I had just unwrapped it. But I think "Maybe it's bad, and I just can't see it."

So I pop in a second, freshly unwrapped DVD (Gladiator). Again, all the Panasonic does is display a message telling me to check for scratches.

Talk about a POS. Anyone looking for a DVD player should keep on looking. Yeah, it's [low priced], but you get what you pay for...

I have been so pleased with all my other Panasonic products that I blindly purchased this producted without researching it. What a mistake! I did not have any problems with the DVD player - it did have excellent picture and sound. However, the VCR would not accept certain tapes - some were tapes we had recorded, others were my daughter's Disney movies. Very frustrating! I actually purchased and returned 2 separate units before I gave up! Also disappointing was the lack of a timer on the display. Don't waste your time and energy like I did!

Just hooked up the unit yesterday. DVDs freeze and we get the "check for scratches" error message. We have tried 4 different brand new DVDs and have gotten the same result. The only reason that I bought this through [this site] is that there were so many good reviews, otherwise I would have bought it locally so I could return it easily...