VCR Purchase Help

[Mastermind90]

Hello,

After a hiatus, I am finally looking to start my project. I am UK based and will begin by sourcing a suitable Panasonic or JVC S-VHS player. I have come across a fair amount of second hand machines over the past year. What is the best way for these to be tested before purchase so that I do not purchase a dud?

Many thanks

[johns0]

There's no reliable way to buy a used vcr unless it has been professionally restored,it may work fine for awhile and then issues.

[lordsmurf]

Many of them fail to work properly, or at all, immediately. That includes those so-called "tested" and "working" decks you see on eBay.etc. (BS!) Many more arrive damaged, because the seller is an idiot with packaging.

For a quality PAL deck, use VCRshop. That's where I now get my decks. I used to refurb PAL myself, but repairs have gotten more difficult, parts harder to come by. The 2020s aren't the 2010s, VCR buying has gotten uglier.

JVC vs. Panasonic depends on your exact source tapes.