Perfect for the Technologically Challenged
Written: Sep 22 '00 (Updated Sep 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: clear picture, easy to use, simple remote
Cons: heavy, one speaker only
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| illini's Full Review: RCA 9" AC/DC TV/VCR Combination T09081BC |
Are We Nuts?
Last winter, we were planning a trip out of state. I was nearly seven months pregnant and flying would have involved several layovers and small planes, an idea I did not relish. However, driving would entail twenty hours on the road with a fifteen month old baby. Not a fantastic proposition, either. Our solution? Drive overnight and purchase a TV/VCR combo to entertain our baby.
We’ll Never Find One
We began looking for a model that suited our needs. It needed to be small enough to fit on the center console of our vehicle (a Suburban), but large enough so the baby could see the screen. It also had to be reasonably priced since we are a one-income family. We were in despair as the TV/VCRs that were small enough were about $200 and would involve the additional purchase of a dc adapter—about an extra $80. Fortunately, we found a new RCA 9” TV/VCR on eBay. We won the auction and paid just shy of $200 including shipping.
Even the Technologically Challenged Can Work It (That Means Me)
As soon as the RCA TV/VCR arrived, we tested it. First, we connected it to our cable. The picture was crisp and clear. Then, we tried inserting a tape. The picture quality was high playing a cassette as well. The remote control was simple and easy to use—not one of those “monsters” that are so common nowadays. Switching the cord from AC (home) to DC (car) was as simple as unplugging a cord and plugging another one in. Now that’s my kind of electronics!
We Hit the Road
Needless to say, Sofie was quite pleased with our purchase. We were able to secure it to the center console of our vehicle and she watched entranced from her car seat in the middle of the back seat. Fortunately, it isn’t necessary to aim the remote at a precise location on the RCA 9” TV/VCR; as long as you point in the general vicinity, it will work. This meant we were able to control it from the front seat (which didn’t matter too much as I mostly rode in the back while Sofie was awake). The picture stayed crisp and clear and didn’t even skip on those horribly bumpy roads in Missouri. We were only slightly displeased with one factor: there is only one speaker, on the right side of the television (nope, it’s not stereo), so we could not put the passenger seat arm rest down or the sound would be blocked. It wasn’t a design flaw (heck, even I don’t expect RCA to design electronics specifically for my vehicle), just something that didn’t work out perfectly. It's also a bit on the hefty side, weighing in at 24 pounds, but unless you're going to lug it to all the soccer games, it doesn't much matter.
The Features
For such a reasonable price, there are many features to the RCA 9” TV/VCR, including:
*Channel programming
*Time/date clock
*Two recording speeds
*True repeat (once a tape finishes playing, it will rewind and replay) option
*Block repeat (you can program it to replay a selected segment of tape up to ten times)
*Video dubbing (can hook a camcorder or VCR to the TV/VCR and record another tape)
*Timer recording (program the VCR to record at a later date)
*One touch recording (push the “Record” button repeatedly to select the amount of time you wish to record)
*Two-head VCR (what do you expect for the size and price?)
The on-screen menus and programming are easy to use and can be done in English, French or Spanish. Because we (read: Sofie or hubby) lost the remote to our “real” VCR, we have had to use this to record television programs as well as dub our camcorder tapes. It has performed very well.
Got Kids?
If you have children and travel in the car, this is a wonderful investment. It is well-built, durable, and easy to use. The picture quality is quite good for a television this size and at this price. The size also makes it perfect as an extra television for the kitchen or study when not employed on a roadtrip. Just please make sure that if you use it in a vehicle, it is secured properly; otherwise, it could be lethal in the event of an accident.
**UPDATE 9/25/00
Over the weekend, the TV/VCR got knocked over not once, but twice. It feel about 3 feet to the floor. (The klutz would be me.) We have since used it to record and play tapes. It is still working perfectly. How's THAT for durability?
Recommended:
Yes
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illini
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