Zenith XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo

by Zenith

Product Details

Product Manual [1.71mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 16.9 x 3.8 inches ; 11 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00009KCJ1
• Item model number: XBV342
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,684 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

The XBV342 handles all your movie and music needs, from VHS cassette recording and playback and high-resolution DVD performance to fast and easy spinning of MP3 CDs. This combo unit saves space while simplifying entertainment hookups. The XBV342 plays CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, MP3 and WMA CDs, JPEG image CDs, and (last but certainly not least!) standard DVD-Videos. Its handy front-panel audio/video jacks simplify hookup with camcorders and video game consoles.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the XBV342 stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, providing higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

Top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. Other features include 4x and 16x moveable zoom, variable high-speed scan (2x, 4x, 16x, and 100x), parental locks, bookmarking, 20-track CD programming, and repeat and resume play.

The VCR section offers four heads (for clear slow-motion and stop-action features) and stereo sound. The deck's 19-micron video heads maintain clarity during recording or playback in EP (extended play) mode, auto digital tracking adjusts for optimal picture settings for every tape you load, and auto clock set maintains the correct time and even adjusts for daylight savings. You can't program the unit to record at specific times, but it does come with a handy Instant Recording button.

For the simplest hookup with a TV, you can use a single RCA composite-video connection to handle both DVD and VCR outputs. If you want a higher-quality connection from the DVD player, use a component- or S-video cable to an additional input on a TV (the VCR image requires a composite-video or RF connection with a TV). You can choose between an optical and a coaxial digital-audio output to feed a surround-sound signal to your Dolby Digital- or DTS-decoding audio/video receiver.

If you don't have a surround receiver or six-channel speaker setup, it's still easy to make every movie night the ultimate experience: the unit simulates surround sound through two speakers (even the stereo speakers on a TV).

What's in the Box
DVD/VCR combo unit, S-video cable, composite-video cable, RF cable, stereo analog-audio interconnect, two AAA batteries, a user's manual, a registration card, and warranty info.

From the Manufacturer

Zenith's XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD/VCR Combo has a wide variety of features that make it a perfect movie-watching machine.

Features:

• Progressive Scan Technology: Video data is processed faster and sequentially to produce superior, crisp, clear images
• Aspect Ratio Correction: Intelligent resizing of video and computer images to 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 conventional formats
• Variable High-Speed Scan: 2x, 4x, 16x, 100x
• Various Playback Options: DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+RW, CD-Audio, CD-R/RW, MP3
• MP3 Decoding: Plays CDs filled with hours of MP3 files downloaded from your home PC
• 4 Head Hi-Fi Stereo: Superior slow motion and stop action features along with hi-fidelity stereo sound
• 19 Head Micron Technology (19µ): Provides advanced picture clarity during record or play back in extended play mode (EP)
• Front A/V Jacks: Easy access to A/V inputs for camcorders and video game systems
• Auto Clock Set System: Displays the correct time without ever needing to be reset
• Jack Pack: RF In; RF Out; Component Video Out; S-Video Out; Composite Video Out; A/V In (1 Rear, 1 Front); A/V Out; Digital Audio Out (1 Optical, 1 Coaxial)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.9" x 3.8" x 11.5"
• Includes A/V cables, remote control, AAA battery x 2, operating guide, registration card, warranty card
• Digital Audio Output: Dolby Digital
• Format: NTSC
• Zoom: 4x-16x (moveable)
• Marker
• Search
• Repeat: 1/All Yes
• Subtitles
• Random Play (Track)
• Program Play (Track)
• Number of Programmable Tracks: 20
• Smooth Scan and Slow Motion
• Search/Slow/Step/Skip for Rev and Fwd
• Variable High-Speed Scan: 2x, 4x, 16x, 100x (Fwd/Rev)
• Simulated Surround Sound
• Stand-by Mode
• On Screen Display
• Parental Control
• TV Aspect Ratio Selection
• Multi-Angle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

159 of 163 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inexpensive Alternative, September 6, 2003

By 

Brian Giovanoni (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zenith XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo (Electronics)

On day in August my eight year old Panasonic Hi Fi VCR died. I was going to get a new HiFi VCR but they were about $80. I had an original Toshiba DVD which worked fine, but I wanted to shrink down the space for components.

This unit is all in one. I hooked it up in ten minutes to the TV, Digital Cable Box and Receiver. What is nice is that you can watch TV, DVD or VCR throught the RF output (LESS HASSEL). When you watch a feature film you can route it throught the receiver and Component Video in on the TV for clearer picture and great sound.

The unit is very quiet (even rewinding tapes). It doesnt whistle playing DVDs and I tried an MP3 CDR of 10 hours of Jimmy Buffett Music (through the TV Speakers or Receiver). It is great with onscreen display.

If you are worried about the price don't be. The next step up offers a few more features but not worth the extra $20 unless you need it.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great balance between price, features and space., November 13, 2003

By 

David Hassall (Wichita, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zenith XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo (Electronics)

I purchased this item as I wanted to save some space in my entertainment center. The DVD VCR combo seemed a great option and for the price I thought it was a bargain. You get two high end machines in one box, less then half the price you would pay for two seperate machines and half the space consumption.

The machine is very quiet, no squeeking when rewinding tapes, no buzzing when playing DVD's so you get the imression its worth alot more then what you paid for it. Also I love how you can plug it into the tv, amp etc... from the front of the machine, it's convienent if you move the machine around alot. Also it's good to hook up a video games machine to it.

All in all its a great machine, cheap and worth it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use and saves space too., November 28, 2003

By 

Michael Chiodo (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zenith XBV342 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo (Electronics)

Since the price of this combination unit is only slightly higher than a free standing DVD player I purchased it to replace an aging Toshiba VCR as well as a first DVD player. It is simple to connect and just as simple to operate. After several hours use in both DVD and VCR mode I can say that I am very happy with this purchase. I would recommend this unit to anyone.