I thought it would be convenient to have a DVD player, DVD recorder, and VHS all in one cheap machine so I could save space in my house and not have to buy multiple machines. Turns out I STILL have to get another DVD player because this dumb thing doesn't recognize a number of DVDs still. I have a lot of Region 0 DVD's that don't work at all on this machine. Usually any DVD player should be able to play a Region 0 DVD release. VCD's (which usually every DVD player can play, even my old one did) do not work at all on this machine either. The VHS to DVD copying is the only thing it has a practical use for, cause it's one lousy DVD player.