Rate three VCR's and translate Sanyo mfr. code

[389poncho]

Yes, I'm a VCR nut. A lady is moving to England and gave me three older VCR's. She knows I can't make the new one's last. They all have model years listed on the label but not the VHR-H607 Sanyo. It just shows a mfr. code of SJC [1999?]
How would you rate the three:
1] 1995 Magnavox VR9310AT02
2] 1993 GE 4020
3] 19?? Sanyo VHR-H607

Thanks in advance for any help,
Mike

[orsetto]

Of the three, the best one is probably the GE which I think was still being made by Panasonic at that time. In my experience, the Panasonic-made GEs were often a little bit better quality than the identical Panasonics. The Magnavox may or may not also be a Panasonic rebadge: if it is, it could be equal to the GE (at some point Magnavox became a very crummy throwaway brand, not sure if it was as early as 1995). The Sanyo was probably just average, if in mint condition it might be a match for the other two but probably not: the high-end Sanyos were the GVR-series pro units unavailable to the general public. All three of these VCRs are typical average low-end VCRs: nothing special and nothing to get excited about. They have zero resale value. But if they function well, have good tracking ability with different tapes, and have hifi stereo playback, they are perfectly capable of feeding a decent signal to a DVD recorder. Very often a "cheap" vcr can be equal to or better than a "high-end" vcr for dubbing tape to DVD: since you got these for free, there's no harm in experimenting- you may get a pleasant surprise.

[389poncho]

orsetto,
Thank you so much for the extremely informative, well written and pleasant response. You are a true asset to the forum. I will use the info well.
Have a great weekend,
Mike
P.S. After ready your reply, I checked and noticed the G.E. and Magnavox although totally "un"similar in the front are identical in the back except everything is reversed [coax connections and RCA plugs are on opposite sides]. Also, the rear blue labels and white labels are completely identical [except for what is printed on them of course].