Which VCR model has the most ''heads''??

[Litaiff]

I have an 8-head Philips, until now it was the biggest one I had, but I also have two D-VHS players, I don't know the number of heads they have.

[dellsam34]

Only 2 video heads labeled A and B are used during playback, 2 for SP, 2 for low speeds, 2 for HiFi, an optional flying erase head for insert editing or making clean transition over previous recording, Counting the heads on the drum does not make any sense at all, it was a marketing tactic back in the day.

[themaster1]

8 heads i doubt
Generally it's 2+2+2 (2 SP+ 2 LP + 2 hifi = 6 heads)
Higher end vcr (S-vhs) got an extra head (flying erase head) for clean edits, total: 7

[The_Doman]

This is a nice video about VCR heads:

YouTube: probnot's tech VCR Basics - Video Head Configurations

[lordsmurf]

There's a a speed beyond EP on some Panasonic players. I wonder if it has extra heads? I have one, but never looked.

[themaster1]

I just recently got a 2010 panny nv fj618 (euro)that does "super long play"
The manual says 4 heads+ 2 hifi

[dellsam34]

There's a a speed beyond EP on some Panasonic players. I wonder if it has extra heads? I have one, but never looked.

I think the video linked above shows a 8 head VCR including HiFi, I actually watched that video before and I forgot all about it, I doubted the existence of 3 pairs of video heads, but he clearly showed it here.

[themaster1]

Following up, Turns out a S-VHS VCR could go up to 10 heads (very specific model / unlike others clearly) 2 Sp,2EP,2Hi-Fi, 2 F.E heads, and 2 more for trick playback (Dynamic tracking) ...oh boy !! The mitsubishi HSU82 if you're interested see here

[dellsam34]

It's still 8 head VCR, Flying erase heads were not counted in the above posts.

[themaster1]

for future reference:
How to identify heads / SP/LP/EP: JVC Versus Panasonic
https://youtu.be/ZZDvXZmgvHc

[dellsam34]

JVC does record in LP, I have a machine right here, the HR-S7600AM.

[aramkolt]

Most I have is an 11 head W-VHS machine which is the HS-W5 made by Victor/JVC and I think they also made a Panasonic rebadge of it as well. Couldn't tell you what all the heads do and I can't reference a service manual because I have not been able to find one. I say it has 11 heads because there are 11 pairs of wires that are easily visible from the top of the drum as you rotate it. The 11th I think is a flying erase head, the others I imagine are for trick effects, possibly dynamic tracking (though there's no dynamic drum thankfully - don't need that point of failure) and various recording/playback modes. Supposedly W-VHS machines are better for standard tapes because it uses different head widths than standard VHS decks that are either more sensitive or otherwise pick up less noise than standard heads. They are also known for not having any head switching noise at the bottom of the image if you're dealing with a first generation tape. I've seen how dellsam34 adjusts out the head switching noise with JVCs fairly easily but, this machine will do it without any adjustments and just seems to dynamically adjust that out. I haven't done much testing with it otherwise and my use case would just be regular VHS transfers with hopefully some slight improvement in capture quality for the hassle of the refurb and needing to use with 100VAC.

[timtape]

Only 2 video heads labeled A and B are used during playback, 2 for SP, 2 for low speeds, 2 for HiFi, an optional flying erase head for insert editing or making clean transition over previous recording, Counting the heads on the drum does not make any sense at all, it was a marketing tactic back in the day.

Yes especially when most people would not have known what the various heads were for. To show the absurdity of it, one VCR had 4 heads because it did SP and HiFi sound. Another was 4 head because it did SP and LP but no HiFi.

Of course the minimum number of heads needed for record and playback is 3, not 2. For a useable picture the audio/control track head is essential.