Possibly silly question: Blu-ray / VHS combo player?

[AHunter3]

Our DVD/VHS combo player died a few weeks ago. I had one in my work studio and we've been using that, figuring one of these weekends we'd go out shopping for a replacement, presumably one that would be able to play the new Blu-Ray format since sooner or later some video rental we're interested in will only be available on Blu-Ray. (Or one Blu-Ray versus multiple DVD disks, etc).

I took it for granted that the optical Blu-Ray mechanism would be backwards-compatible with standard commercial and home-burned DVD from the 4 gig thru dual-layer 7.x gig varities. That seems to be the case from what I've glimpsed.

Without thinking about it, I also assumed that for an additional extra bit of currency there'd be no problem finding players that did VHS as well as Blu-Ray/DVD. Not seeing that. Hmm.... am I just looking in the wrong places, or looking too early in the life-cycle of Blu-Ray for such devices to have cropped up on the market? (I can readily imagine that early adopters of Blu-Ray would not be the folks with continuing interest in being able to play back VHS tapes as well)

[sptrout]

There are not any Blu-ray players with VHS recorders, and I don't think there ever will be. Would be kind of like combining a cassette & CD player. I think the days of VHS are numbered; it is difficult to even find a plain VHS player.

[Heart_Collector]

First off, welcome to the forum.
Second, with all the news I've seen on this forum, a BD/VHS combo player has yet to be seen (to the best of my observation). It would make sense, since BD players play Blu and DVD...have all media on one player. There will soon be more technically knowledgeable members to answer you, but with the rumor/news that studios may abandon DVD by December next year, they may only be looking to the future...

[Heart_Collector]

Originally Posted by sptrout

There are not any Blu-ray players with VHS recorders, and I don't think there ever will be. Would be kind of like combining a cassette & CD player. I think the days of VHS are numbered; it is difficult to even find a plain VHS player.

Yea...my folks still use VHS to record TV shows, and the only player they could find was a TV with DVD/VHS built in. That's IT.

[rubberghost]

i think i saw one at amazon.twilightzone i'm only joking. i think they will eventually make them. probably some weird off-brand company though. that's just my personal opinion. good luck.

[blu-rayfan101]

And what cave is your studio in?

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by blu-rayfan101

And what cave is your studio in?

TV production still work with VHS even though they have all the latest technology there. It's mainly for rushes, screeners and what not. With VHS, all you need to do is press record and it'll record in real time. With DVD, you have to assemble, test, encode and then burn.


fuad

[darkpoet25]

You can still find DVD/VHS combo players at Wal Mart. We carry a Magnavox model, but I don't see any Blu Ray/VHS players available anytime soon.

[crackinhedz]

bluray player composite output to VCR composite input.

[rubberghost]

someone may even make it, as kind of a joke. i really think it will get made.

[swindler]

Maybe BD and HVC?

[chasarms]

I would be surprised if that player ever gets made. It is going to be a couple of years before BD licensing and technology gets cheap enough to allow a low-end maker to try something like that. By then, the demand for VHS is going to be so minimal that it probably will not make sense.

You are better off buying a blu-ray player and picking up a stand alone VCR. You can get them all day for less than $50.

[Chevypower]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

TV production still work with VHS even though they have all the latest technology there. It's mainly for rushes, screeners and what not. With VHS, all you need to do is press record and it'll record in real time. With DVD, you have to assemble, test, encode and then burn.


fuad

In the old days they used to use S-VHS for offline editing only and some places would if they still have it, i don't think anybody would go out and buy an S-VHS machine. Now I would say DVCAM would be used. Even it's days are numbered.

[aviman33]

Ahh, come on guys. You can get a DVD recorder for less than $100 to time shift your TV shows. Why in hell would anyone interested in BR want a VHS deck? With that reasoniing, why not make a combo player that will handle VHS, Beta and Super 8?

John

[WickyWoo]

Definately will not happen, even the DVD/VCR combos are going the way of the dodo

[Ranger-R]

that would be so weird, like making a CD/8track player. but hey, you never know. Consumer demand?

[jhp11]

Apparently, there's one now.

DMP-BD70V Panasonic Blu-ray Disc / DVD / VHS Combo Player with SD Card Slot and USB Terminal

[Rinzler]

That Panasonic is the only american BD/VHS combo in America. It is on amazon right now, type in panasonic Blu-ray VHS in the search bar and it will come up. I see myself purchasing it, just know that there is no firmware updates. It has Bonus View and BD Live over Ethernet. It also had Amazon VOD. Know that most updates nowadays are on the BD Discs, but there are no firmware updates for this player. To the OP, use an HDMI cable with this because it can upconvert tapes which looks gorgeous.

[Jeff Kleist]

No updates are carried by the Blu-ray discs.

The Blu-ray components inside the BD70 are identical to the 60, there should be firmware updates for it even if they're not showing on the website.

[thePope666]

Originally Posted by sptrout

There are not any Blu-ray players with VHS recorders, and I don't think there ever will be. Would be kind of like combining a cassette & CD player. I think the days of VHS are numbered; it is difficult to even find a plain VHS player.

You must be pretty young b/c I remember the CD/Cassette combo very well