vcrs, do they still exist?

[lordmajax]

I went to bestbuy.com and ciruitcity.com and there are only 2-3 vcrs available. I was wondering if someone could tell me which vcr is the best: Panasonic PV-V4525S, Sony SLV-N750, or Zenith VC-S442. I was thinking about getting a dvd recorder/player/vhs player all in one combo but I don't know how well those will do. There's also the dvd player/vcr combo. I am just not a fan of combining different technology in one machine. I'm very picky and expect a good picture out of a dvd player. Has anyone had any experience with combos?

[Bob W]

I bought a Mitsubishi VCR from my local CircuitCity here in Reno and it works a whole lot better than my expensive JVC so maybe check that out.

Hmm now that I think about it I may have bought the VCR at "The Good Guys" also in Reno.

[lordmajax]

does anyone have any recommendations for websites so I can check reviews? There's only two for sale at circuit city and best buy.

[MOVIEGEEK]

My vote is for a Panasonic or JVC.
www.pricegrabber.com
www.shopping.com

[zoobie]

My vote is to stay far away from the low grade consumer junk at bestbuy and circuit city...and the like. There are a few million vcrs on eBay...

[lordsmurf]

For a regular VHS unit, Sharp and Sony are great.
Toshiba is too, but I don't think they're made anymore.

[lordmajax]

Thanks lordsmurf. I honestly just wanted a good vcr. I think Great and Vcr shouldn't be in the same sentence nowadays. I don't want an old model. Any recommendations for the newest models of Sharp vs. Sony Vcrs.

[sanjayk]

I think VCR are more of an "archeological find" these days because you dont see them around much. I own two Panasonic VCR, old models, but they are still working fine after many years.

[lordmajax]

Sharp and Toshiba are out of the business. I have the options of JVC, Sony, Mitsubishi, and 1 Panasonic model. They are the only highend makers left in the US.

[lordmajax]

Okay, I have the entire list which consist of 12 models. Here's the list...

Sony SLV-N900, LSV-N750
JVC HR-S2902U, HR-S3902U, HR3912U, HRS5902U, HR5912U, HR-J692U
Panasonic PV-V4525S, PV-V4624S
Mitsubishi HS-U449, HS-U748

Based on the scarce reviews I could find it seems that in order of best to worse it's Mitsubishi, JVC, Sony, Panasonic. Anyone have any comments on any of these vcrs? I need one that is quite. My old Sony is so loud when rewinding or doing anything really.

[lordmajax]

eliminated JVC HR-J692U based on 15 horrendouse reviews at amazon.com
Now I'm down to 11. Help me out guys.
I have been reading that it is hard to find s-vhs blank tapes nowadays. That means I either have to go with a regular vcr or one that will record s-vhs on regular vhs tapes.

[pbhalerao]

My Sony SLV-830E purchased in 1995 is still working great. I only have to clean the heads once in a while (6 mths). Never been sent to repairs even once. The remote is acting a bit funny but nothing much to worry about. And I have a lot of VHS colllection.

So yes, VCRs still exist. But VCR sales are dying out. Perhaps many companies will stop making VCRs in the next year or so. Hold on to your VCR. Perhaps in 10 years it will fetch an antique value.

[Blazey]

I usually buy from Amazon and they have a decent selection of low end units
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/103-7119283-8700640

I am partial to Panasonic VCR's. I have never killed one!!

[Bob W]

My vote goes to the Mitsubishi which btw is built like a tank with a steel cover.

[lordmajax]

I was thinking of getting a s-vhs. However, they seem pointless nowadays don't they. Next, I would prefer it to be silver because all my other electronics are light colored.

[samijubal]

Mitsubishi is the only decent quality VCR left. The rest are all cheapos.

[lordsmurf]

Sharp and Toshiba are out of the business. I have the options of JVC, Sony, Mitsubishi, and 1 Panasonic model. They are the only highend makers left in the US.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006FXF5/qid=1119569362/sr=8-1/ref=pd_...onics&n=507846

Brand new SHARP.

Don't like buying online? Get used to it. That will be the only way to buy VCRs in the future. That's how LD and Beta is now too.

[lordsmurf]

I was thinking of getting a s-vhs. However, they seem pointless nowadays don't they. Next, I would prefer it to be silver because all my other electronics are light colored.

Pointless?
I suggest you do some more reading.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/capture/playback.htm

[lordmajax]

Okay, so my only options would be a JVC then. If I get a SVHS. Since I want a silve model it would have to be HR-S5912U. Anyone had any experiences with this model?

[lordmajax]

I don't like how the front panel isn't covered on the jvc though

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027008&pathId=49&page=1

[gshelley61]

JVC HR-S7900U, HR-S7800U and HR-S7600U are black.

JVC SR-V101U and SR-V10U are dark gray.

All are S-VHS with TBC/DNR circuit. The 7600 is the best machine of the bunch, but can only be found used.

Other high quality black or dark gray S-VHS machines: Panasonic AG-1970, Panasonic AG-1980, Sony SLV-R1000, Sony SVO-2000

The Panasonic AG-1980 can still be found new, and the Sony SLV-R1000 and SVO-2000 can sometimes be found new in box, too. Big bucks, though.

The two Panasonics have TBC's in them, the Sony's do not.

[lordmajax]

I don't want black though, just silver.

[gshelley61]

I don't want black though, just silver.

Misread your post. The JVC 9000 series S-VHS units are all silver or very light champagne colored. Excellent units, too.

[lordsmurf]

I think valuing color over quality of the unit is silly.

[lordmajax]

I don't think I'm gonna go with the HR-S9911U. I think I am having reservations about getting a S-VHS because the s-vhs tapes are too expensive for me. Would buying a s-vhs affect in any way the quality of playback or recording on a regular vhs blank tape. Any recommendations for good quality blank tapes?

[gshelley61]

Most JVC S-VHS units have a feature called S-VHS ET, which allows you to record at S-VHS resolution on standard VHS tapes.

[davideck]

Would buying a s-vhs affect in any way the quality of playback or recording on a regular vhs blank tape. Any recommendations for good quality blank tapes?

It is likely that an SVHS VCR will record/playback in VHS mode with better quality than a standard VHS VCR. And the S-Video IN/OUT that is available on SVHS VCRs will provide higher quality dubs/captures of VHS tapes as well as SVHS tapes.

Besides, once you see the difference between SVHS and VHS, I would expect that you would prefer recording in SVHS.

[Max-i-mus]

I'm not a VHS expert or anything, but I'd check into how many "Heads" the vcr uses..

I remember a buddy of mine had a 7 head vcr.. I think it was a Mitsu or Magnavox model.. It started with a M.. I do remember that tho...

Anyow, the picture quality on it was amazing.. And the Zoom on it was killer.. We were able to Zoom in on a movie " Young Guns 2" and watched the paper fly outta the guns when they were shooting the fake blanks.. It was neat..

[lordmajax]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I am still leaning towards the JVC HR-5912U unit. I will just use regular vhs tapes because there's no way I'm paying $8.95 for a blank tape. At least now I know that there will be a picture improvement. I'm not particularly thrilled with the JVC remote though. I like the Sony remote but I didn't see a Sony s-vhs on it's main site. Does anyone know if the JVC mentioned above read the tapes loudly? My sony is so freaking loud when inserting a tape and it takes forever to do anything.

[lordmajax]

I still need a little bit of help before I'm done choosing. I decided on the JVC HR-S5912 model over the SR-V101US based on the price and based on what I want it for. I would like a tape cleaner/rewinder, a vcr cleaner, and blank tapes both vhs and s-vhs. Could someone recommend the best for blank tapes or good quality. The vcr cleaner and the vhs cleaner I would like to be silver. Please one last time help me.