I just finished programming a Toshiba DVD/VCR combo for a customer and it was a terrible experience. Has anyone used a non-Sony combo unit that is not a complete pain in the rear to integrate into a system? If so, I'd love to know what worked.

Thanks,

Sean.

Yeah these things are lame. This is my response to all salepeople who sell/recommend these combo units:

Classy. Thanks for the helpful response.

There is no good way. If you want to automate it somewhat, you'd probably power it up, hit the DVD command, and press play as part of your macro. If it's already on, you are dead. I sometimes put a FIX button on the LCD that will send the commands again to bring it back to life.

Some use the OPEN/CLOSE command to power up a sleeping unit. Sort of works as a discrete on. Doesn't work if you have closed cabinet doors!! Check your individual brand; some won't work with that command unless there is a tape or DVD loaded; some have to be turned off in the DVD mode for that to work; etc etc. Refer to post #2 in most cases.

I just did a system with a customer supplied Go video DVD/VCR combo, wanst that bad to work with

on my off macro I put the combo into dvd mode and then did a eject, stop, power

and for on I used a eject, stop and had it powering on and off just fine..just have to use a few extra commands in macros for selecting devices...DVD or VCR

I even had it swiching to view cameras on the property as well as a few other modulated channels from other sat receivers

Thanks for the input guys.

In my situation I could not find any command that turned the unit on. I tried eject, play and then every button on the remote. None of them worked. So I left the unit on all the time. Also, the DVD/VCR command was a toggle, so there was no way of knowing if a macro would be sending commands to the DVD player or the VCR. Frustrating! By leaving the unit on I was able to make the macros work but they're clunky at best.

It sounds like these things just don't play well with others.

Thanks again,

Sean.

I do no like working with any DVD/VCR combos. Anyone who cares about picture and sound quality will use separates. Panasonics are absolute nightmares to work with, by the way. The only time I do them is if the customer already has one and will not budge to separates...but they usually take the good advice and are happier in the end.



Thank you,
Damon DG
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