Rating: 
Summary: Where's the quality?
Review: After installing the system, I found the VCR ejecting all my tapes. I Also found that I had to point the remote control exactly at the unit for it to work. I never had experience such a sensitivity in a remote control before.After reading a review on another site that experienced the same problem. I would advise one to require the salesperson to demonstrate that the VCR can actually play a tape before making a purchase. Better yet, I think Sony should trace down the source of this problem and recall the affected units. Isn't there a lemon law for this type of problem? My next attempt will be a JVC as the reviews seem to be good.
Rating:
Summary: Sony SLV-D100 ~ Below Par
Review: Before you buy this first edition of a DVD/VCR combo from Sony I would like for you to know some of its rather disappointing shortcomings. I'll quickly list them as well as give you a comparison to another DVD/VCR I've tested. 1. DVD portion
The built-in software & functionality falls far short when compared to Sony's entry level DVD player (DVP-NS315). The SLV-D100 has only an on/off surround option, no adjustment of the picture quality, and it's method of handling MP3s will often not allow for easy picking and choosing of selections.
2. VHS portion
The VHS portion of the player is suitable, but just from the look & feel from the first few hours I wouldn't compare it favorably in any way to my Sony SLV-701HF.
3. Comparison
The first DVD/VHS combo I tested out was the Sansui VRDVD4000. It's software & functionality is superior to that of the Sony. It provides many more options and displays (it can even indicate the bitstream rate that the DVD is performing at!). I wouldn't say the VHS portion was too bad either. Also, it seems that the remote-control eye was better at picking up the signal from its remote control. The Sony control on the other hand would need to be directly pointed at its eye in order to get a response. Lastly, when the Sony tray is left open it will cease to allow any remote control switching between DVD and Line input unless it is closed. No such thing on the Sansui model, you may have the tray left open and not struggle with the loss of any functionality on the remote control . A major drawback on the Sansui model is that it ONLY has front inputs If you are a Sony enthusiast like me, you will find that the SLV-D100 will miss your expectations entirely. Good luck.
Rating:
Summary: Sony SLV-D100 DVD/VCR combo. IS THIS SONY??
Review: First let me tell you why I buy this. It's a Sony right. I found out that I was wrong. This lovely Sony SLV-D100 DVD/VCR combo is ACTUALLY made by Samsung Electronics Corporation. This is the electronic corporation that manufactures Go Video VCRs and DVD/VCRs combo. Don't waste your money in buying this. I highly recommend a Samsung or Go Video DVD/VCR combo for less. The brand names may sound funny BUT they perform the same picture, quality, and reliability as the Sony because the two are made by Samsung. How do I know this, try looking at the vcr mechanism and see the similarity of Samsung VCR's design. So don't blame on Sony for this poor design and unreliable product. Sony only designs and markets this DVD/VCR combo and let Samsung Electronics Corporation do the rest. Thanks for reading this review.
Rating: 
Summary: Just misses the mark
Review: I am a long time bonafide SONY fan but this combo VCR/DVD unit is a disappointment. The unit is nice and clean in appearance but its functionality leaves a lot to be desired. As expected, the DVD images are sharp and clear and mechanically the thing is excellent - it's quiet and smooth. However, MP3 titles show up on the TV screen but only the first 10 letters or so. What's worse, even short songs get broken up and play with skips. Is this just my unit??? Sound quality from DVDs and audio CDs is excellent. The VCR is the real disappointment. Although it does play back S-VHS recordings (in VHS quality), its general recording and playback quality does NOT compare favorably to my SONY 373 and SONY SLV5-RUc - both of which are now 11 years old!!! Back then, SONY VCRs were designed and "Made in Japan". This new combo puppy was made in China and cost LESS than the mono 373 VCR did in 1991. The old SONYS were expensive and heavy but the quality was excellent. Both of mine are still running nicely. (Yes, The $1000 S-VHS machine got a complete overhaul by Sony about 3 years ago for under $200 and I replaced the pinch roller mechanism on the 373 myself for about $35.) The SLV-D100 makes VHS recordings that are fair. Mechanically, it handles the tape well - in loading, ejecting and transport. EP(6hr.slow speed)recording is okay but SP (2hr) which should be noticeably better - is not. My old standard VHS SP recordings actually look better than the new recordings - even played back on the new machine. Go figure. Buying electronics should not be this difficult. The combo's remote is too small, too delicate, too awkward and probably will NOT stand the test of time. By the way, I bought a SONY mini-DV 3CCD camcorder TRV-900 which gets regular use and has been an excellent performer. It cost over $2000 in 1999 but the quality and performance is excellent. I say this only to reinforce the fact that I believe Sony can still produce quality IF -BIG IF- it wants to do so. Not that a mass market VCR/DVD combo should cost a fortune but I would rather pay $500 for a quality unit I can enjoy for 10 years or more instead of $250 to get a ho-hum unit that misses the mark in performance every time I use it.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of Both
Review: I am impressed with the ease of use and the speed in setting up the Sony. The clarity of the DVD is great. A small amount of distortion viewing the VCR but I had that with my last VCR. Setting up the timer was very easy. The remote could be made clearer.
Rating:
Summary: Too Noisy
Review: I am VERY disappointed in this unit from Sony. The DVD player is scratchy/whistling while it plays and it is EXTREMELY annoying to have to crank up the volume to drown out this sound. And it is not only the DVD...the VCR is also quite noisy while playing, although not AS loud as the DVD player is. The remote control on this unit leaves alot to be desired as well. There is a delayed response between the remote and the unit that took me a few minutes to figure out. I thought the remote was broken at first. The buttons seem too delicate. Overall, the unit does have a good quality picture when playing DVD or VHS but the noises coming from the machine are ridiculous given today's technology. Truely a lemon among combo machines.
Rating:
Summary: stop the sounds
Review: I bought the dvd/vcr combo about a couple of weeks ago. I noticed about a week ago that whenever I played a dvd, I could hear the spinning sound of the dvd being read. I then came to the conclusion, that I must be the dvd and not the machine and also that this is normal. But, then i played some other dvd's and the same sound would persist. I even walked over to the other side of the room to test if that spinning sound can be heard and it failed that test miserably. I dont know if I just have a defective machine but based on my experience with this machine, I would avoid this product with all means.
Rating:
Summary: Great DVD-VCR Combo
Review: I bought this about a year ago from Best Buy and have had virtually no problems with it. I actually use the VCR part much more than the DVD part, and I'd say I do a moderate amount of recording. After a year, no malfunctions whatsoever. Further, I'm completely satisfied with the recordings. I use high-quality tapes, and playback from the recorded tape is almost as good as the original broadcast -- and I generally record in EP mode. The DVD player has also performed flawlessly. I have had no problems with skipping or freezing unless the disk itself was defective. This was confirmed a couple of times by playing the disk in another machine, where the disk froze or skipped at exactly the same places. Once the disk was replaced with a new one, no problems. Unlike other people, I have no trouble with the remote. I think it must be a matter of taste. I don't consider it a design flaw. I have this machine hooked up to a Sony TV, so set-up was effortless. The silver color matches that of my TV. There are two reasons I'm not giving the machine (5) stars: 1) I thought it was a bit overpriced when I bought it but was willing to spend the extra money anyway because I like Sony products; 2) The internal clock loses time. I've been lazy and haven't attempted to fix this. However, it's annoying when you're trying to program the machine to record. I'm always having to correct the clock. It might be something that would be easy to fix, but I haven't bothered calling customer service. I can live with it. I notice Amazon is no longer stocking this item. There are some rather negative reviews here, but I think if you can find this machine for a good price, it would be worth it. Between DVDs and tapes, I've used it fairly heavily for a year. I definitely recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Nice combo
Review: I bought this combo for my room after my old vcr died. I was also tired of using my xbox as my dvd player. I chose this over the Zenith, because my tv is sony and it has an optical out, lacking on the zenith. I used an optical cable to hook it to my surround sound system, and it sounds and looks great. It was easy to hook up, a little confusing to use at first, but I quickly learned the insides and outs. The DVD and VCR are a bit loud when playing, but my surround sound system drowns it out well. I would recomend this to anyone wanting it for a bedroom or on a budget.
Rating:
Summary: Good Unit
Review: I couldn't decide whether to buy a DVD player or a VCR (I didn't have room for both) and realized that I could have both with a combo unit. I looked over some of the units offered by various companies and decided to go with Sony, mostly because of the name. I wasn't disappointed; this unit works wonderfully well. Connecting to a TV is easy and the instructions that come with it are easy to understand. The DVD player is excellent and I have not had any problems (unlike other reviewers) with skipping or pausing of the DVD movies I have played. The picture is clear and crisp and the sound quality is excellent. My only complaint thus far with this unit is the VCR. It works well enough and it is quiet but the picture quality when you record isn't quite up to par. Videos I have rented or bought play well enough, however, anything I record doesn't have a real sharp picture. I thought it might be the tapes I bought to record on, but I have tried two other brands and received the same results. I haven't tried any CDs or CD-Rs in this unit yet so I can't comment on those. All in all I give the Sony SLV-D100, 4 stars - taking off 1 star for the sub-par VCR, and the high price.
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