SONICblue's Dual-Deck VCRs Let You Skip Commercials

While many folks are moving on to recording their favorite TV shows on hard drives, the VCR is certainly not dead yet, as you can probably tell by walking into your living room. Until recordable DVDs become affordable recordable DVDs, you're probably going to have that old magnetic tape machine in your rumpus room. SONICblue is now putting out a line called Go-Video Dual-Deck VCRs that will let you skip the stuff you don't want to see while recording. Using it, you can copy TV programs, movies, and other video material while eliminating marked commercial groups and other unwanted material. The new Dual-Deck VCRs were recently added to the company's product line by the acquisition last month of Sensory Science, and offer editing, VCR Plus+ C3 cable box control for timer recordings, and four heads on both decks in all models for slow motion and stop action control. SONICblue's top of the line DDV2120 comes with VCR Plus C3 for programming the VCR and cable box in one easy step, S-VHS playback, and a rear panel S-Video input. The Flying Erase Heads allow users to edit tapes, and a microphone input can help you dub audio. SONICblue's Go-Port six-pin rear panel jack lets you connect you Dual-Deck VCR to a personal computer, as well as to home control systems. The DDV2120 comes with a jog-shuttle remote for searching and two sets of rear RCA jacks for home theater. The new DDV2120 will set you back around $349. The next step down is the DDV2110 Hi-Fi model, which includes eight-scene-at-a-time auto assembly editing, one touch copying and an auto head cleaner on both decks. The model has four heads on both decks and includes Auto Setup that automatically sets the clock and searches for channels. The DDV2110 comes with a jog/shuttle remote and carries an MSRP of $299. At the bottom of the pile, we have the entry-level DDV2001, which has four heads on both decks, and lets you record on both decks or record one program while watching another. The new multi-purpose remote contains glow-in-the-dark keys. The DDV2001 carries an MSRP of $249.