Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the HR-XVC26U stands ready to deliver the full potential of your 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, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Composite-video and DVD-only S-video outputs accommodate most standard (non-HD) TVs.

Exclusive VCR features include one-month, eight-event programming, index search, auto clock setting, and auto tracking. The unit offers an RF input for cable-box signals and an RF output for use with older TVs that lack composite-video inputs. S-VHS quasi playback lets you watch, in regular VHS resolution, tapes recorded in Super-VHS, normally only compatible with more expensive S-VHS machines. A set of front-panel audio/video inputs accommodates a camcorder or gaming console.

A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals for DVD can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver.

What's in the Box
DVD/VCR combo unit, a multibrand, full-function remote control, remote batteries, a composite-video/stereo analog-audio interconnect, a user's manual, and warranty information.