Audio Video News

Remember those funky old cathode-ray TV/VCR combo units?  Thought combo units were a thing of the past? Not so fast, there, Buck Rodgers.

Funai might not be the most popular name you see on the shelf of your local big-box retailer, but you do know its sub-brands Emerson, Symphonic, and Sylvania. Those names were always popular with the crowd who purchased TVs with built-in VCRs.  You know the type.

Currently,  20% of Funai's US TV sales come from TV/DVD combo units. Take a guess at the next possible step for this retailer.

I know, not much of a stretch, but beginning next summer, Funai will begin selling LCD sets with built-in Blu-ray Disc players for the US market. While many purists will scoff at the idea, sales of DVD combos and VCR combos are very common items with folks looking for convenience and simplicity.

Details of the exact release date and prices aren't available yet, but CrunchGear.com is reporting that a 42-inch LCD TV/Blu-ray combo will be priced between $1,100 and $1,300. You get what you pay for. -Leslie Shapiro

CrunchGear