My first DVD/VCR combo was from Go Video. I've mentioned it in other posts. It worked for a while but then the DVD slot kept opening and closing and not reading DVDs so we just sealed it shut.
My sister just brought over a DVD/VCR that she purchased a while back. It's a Sony, and sing praises, it works on my new TV (some of you might remember the thread about my TV Hookup). The Go Video just did not work with the new technology, and while this one isn't brand new, it worked right away to play, and then once we went into the menu and switched it from antenna to cable and had it search for channels, all was well. I shouted and applauded.
Anywho, I have hundreds of VHS tapes, and I still record. I do not have a DVR. It will be getting plenty of use.