Which Toshiba VCR

[BrainStorm69]

Anyone with experience with Toshiba VCRs who can recommend a really good one (by good I mean with the best, sharpest playback)? Doesn't have to be S-VHS, as I'll potentially be using it mostly for transferring VHS to DVD. Also doesn't have to be currently available new..I'm no stranger to eBay.

Thanks,
BrainStorm

[lordsmurf]

Those old 6-heads they used to sell at Best Buy were decent.

[BrainStorm69]

OK, just ordered a used M745. 6 heads. Supposedly in almost like new condition. Anyone have any experience with this particular Toshiba model?

BTW...I ain't buying anymore VCRs after this...although I will probably be selling a few

[Marvingj]

Toshiba still sale the W-804, 6 head svhs vcr has great picture but casing not like it use to be (ALL PLASTIC). You'll probably find it at Fry's.

[Madz]

I'm curious: I remember reading somewhere that those 6-head decks were made for improved quality in the EP mode only (provided the tape is recorded on a 6-head). To to this they use 4 heads for recording & playback (jogging memory)? If so, is that a non-standard VHS recording type? In other words, would said tape be playable on a standard 2- or 4-head deck w/o problems? After all, I don't think I've seen any other brands of 6-header's besides Toshiba.

[BrainStorm69]

I'm not sure if it was to improve just EP, or whether it was also to allow the use of larger gap heads when you're recording or playing something recorded in SP. Anyway, I know that certain folks around here rave about them (you know who you are Fulci! ). My M745 should be delivered tomorrow (oops, later today ), and then I'll see for myself.

[lordsmurf]

It's no better than a good 4-head. It's just a good VCR, period.
I chose SHARP twice over it.
A friend chose Panasonic twice over it.
Another friend had one of the Toshibas.
They all performed about the same.

I think SHARP had the EP edge, especially on tracking, why I got them.