Hi-Fi VCR's....Are there good ones anymore?

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by Stateless, Oct 29, 2003.

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  1. Stateless

    Stateless New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    I bought a RCA Hi-Fi VHS back around Aug. 1994 for $250.00 or so and it finally started to crap out. I got a good 9+ years out of it with heavy usage so it doesn't owe me anything. Still, I have to replace it because that's how I record TV and I can't see DVD-R's being very affordable for at least a couple of years. Basically I just want something solid that plays my old tapes well. I figured I'd get an RCA because it would have the best chance of playing my old tapes clearly.

    Well I received a new RCA Hi-Fi today through Amazon. Paid $79.99 with free shipping. Immediately I started to check out my old tapes. I noticed the SP tapes play fine. I didn't have to track them and the sound is great, although the picture doesn't look quite as clear as my old model. Maybe I'm being too critical but I could swear the old model looked a bit sharper. When I checked out the SLP tapes there was definitely some variation. Some tapes were fine, but some needed to be manual tracked to the point where if you went up one notch it would skip. Worst off all a few tapes will buzz and have slight snow at the bottom no matter how careful I try to track. I know it's not the tapes because they played fine on my old model.

    Is there anything I can do to remedy this? :confused: If I tried a different brand is it likely the same thing will happen? I also noticed when I recorded off the new model it was a little less clear than the old. I just wanted to see if anybody else has gone through this. I'm guessing that the quality isn't being put into the VCR's like they used to because they are on the way out. Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance....

    WW
     
  2. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    I stick with Panasonic Top Of The Line VCR's...They take a beating. My Wife Time shifts EVERYDAY and they last for years...My current VCR plays my old tapes from 1981! I've been using Panasonic Hi-Fi's since 1980:) In todays times the quality has gone totally plastic! I remember my first Panny Hi-Fi costing $1,000! an weighing a ton:) Now they are disposable:(...Progress:) Good Luck in your endeavor...
     
  3. Claus

    Claus Senior Member

    Location:
    Germany
    I would recommend the new "recording machines"... I have seen the new models by Panasonic at the IFA/Berlin... they have a built-in HD and a DVD recorder.

    You can record more than 100 hours on the HD and you can edit all... I think that's the future. :thumbsup:
     
  4. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialist™

    Location:
    B.C.
    My first suggestion would be to seriously condsider spending at least a couple of hundred on a decent mid-top-of-the-line or top-of-the-line a few years old ( no more than 3 if possible). Always try to buy with the option of return if you're unsatisfied. Sometimes there are bargains to be had in local news papers and at swap meets.

    Your picture was probably better on your old model as it was probably better quality parts. I recently experienced the same thig when my mid T-O-T-L Sony died after 8 years and my new less-expensive model RCA is crappy picture-wise when compared with the old Sony.
     
  5. RetroSmith

    RetroSmith Forum Hall Of Fame<br>(Formerly Mikey5967)

    Location:
    East Coast
    Wonderwall......I had the same problem as you.

    The solution is to HAVE YOUR RCA DECK REPAIRED, then archive all your tapes to ether Digital or SVHS on another machine.

    The only deck that will play back your tapes 100% is your OLD DECK.

    Not even buying the same model on EBAY will guarantee that, because your record heads could be 1% out of alignment, and thats why your tapes dont play back 100% correctly on the new RCA deck.

    I'd get the old RCa fixed, and transfer all the tapes to DVD-R with a standalone burner if they are important to you.
     
  6. Ken_McAlinden

    Ken_McAlinden MichiGort Staff

    Location:
    Livonia, MI
    The Panasonic medium to high-end hi-fi VCRs have always been war horses, and even the modern "plastic" ones, per Michael's description, take a beating and hold up well after many many hours of use. Mikey's comments about alignment are on the money, though. It's not so much whther your old or new VCR are aligned to spec, it's how they compare with each other. I am happy to be doing all of my time shifting with a Tivo these days.

    Regards,
     
  7. RetroSmith

    RetroSmith Forum Hall Of Fame<br>(Formerly Mikey5967)

    Location:
    East Coast
    Actually, I have the best one Panasonic made awhile back, the AG-1980 (i think).

    Its got everything one could ask for, and its built to last. I havent had one single problem with it. Makes great looking SVHS tapes with good tape also.
     
  8. Stateless

    Stateless New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    Thanks for the info. :)

    My old deck actually still plays ok but recording is the problem. I guess I should hold on to that one until (one day) DVD recording is as feasable as VHS recording was in the 90's. I only have one set up, or else I would use the old one for playback I guess.

    So basically I shouldn't try any other brand or VCR. I guess not if you are saying a new old model wouldn't even help. I was actually thinking of looking in to that. Is the reason it goes out of alignment due to the age of the VCR? It's strange some SLP's play pretty good, others recorded around the same time are just that little bit off. I do find when I switch to the linear tracks the buzz goes away so at least I can watch it without that distraction. Again, the SP tapes play fine. I guess I should be happy in that respect. :rolleyes:
     
  9. Tony Plachy

    Tony Plachy Senior Member

    Location:
    Pleasantville, NY
    I still have two Panasonic semi-pro machines an AG1970 and an AG1980. They are built well and have lasted at least 7 years with very heavy use. I highly recommend them if you must have a VCR (these will do SVHS). I strongly, strongly recommend that you look at DVD recorders with HD's. I bought a Panasonic DMR-E80H and was so impressed with it that a week later I got a second one for the bedroom TV. IMHO VCR's are a thing of the past and DVD recorders are for now. Those great VCR's above were over a $1000.00 each, they were the best I could get. The DMR-E80H was $500.00 each on the web. Half the price for more performance. :)
     
  10. Jeff H.

    Jeff H. Senior Member

    Location:
    Northern, OR
    Panasonic or Sony VCR's are the way to go. I regulated my Sony Hi-Fi VHS machine to back up status after 10 years and bought a new Panasonic for $75!!! Great VCR that I think will last many years.
     
  11. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    Hey Jeff,
    What model?
     
  12. Larry

    Larry Member

    Location:
    Ohio, USVI
    Another vote for Panasonic!
     
  13. -=Rudy=-

    -=Rudy=- ♪♫♪♫♫♪♪♫♪♪ Staff

    Location:
    US
    I've always heard good things about them!

    My last two decks are both JVCs, S-VHS. Got them both as refurbed closeouts, and they've worked wonderfully. (I rarely use a VCR anymore...they'll probably be my last VHS decks.) One is a little fllaky right now, but when you have kids around, and the "sacrificial" VCR isn't working... :( These replaced an old tank of a JVC that I owned. I think it was HRS566U; all I remember about it was that it was the first VHS deck to have the "HQ" enhancement, Hi-Fi sound, and then-new stereo MTS broadcast reception. Unfortunately this one somehow got its loading mechanism jammed (my lesson for leaving the closet door open with a 3-year-old around :mad: ) and now it is sitting in the basement waiting for parts. (I may watch eBay or garage sales for a deck that is dead but still has a usable loading mechanism.)

    I also own a Sony Hi8 deck that I used with my camcorder tapes. Turned out to be an expensive piece of trash...terrible unit.
     
  14. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialist™

    Location:
    B.C.
    One brand of VCR that doesn't get a lot of mention is Electrohome. IMHO they are by far the longest lasting of the lot. I know of 2 (1 is my landlords, the other is my parents) that are at least 10 to 15 years old and both are still working flawlessly. I've had 2 Sony's bite the dust in this time frame. Wish I'd kept the Eletrohome and given up the Sony. :sigh: Oh well, live and learn.
     
  15. -=Rudy=-

    -=Rudy=- ♪♫♪♫♫♪♪♫♪♪ Staff

    Location:
    US
    At one time (and it still may be true), there were only a handful of VHS deck OEMs, and others would just brand them with their own logos. IIRC, we were told our ancient RCA was actually built by Hitachi.
     
  16. Holy Zoo

    Holy Zoo Gort (Retired) :-)

    Location:
    Santa Cruz
  17. Holy Zoo

    Holy Zoo Gort (Retired) :-)

    Location:
    Santa Cruz
    I think Electrohome was manufactured by Mitsubishi.
     
  18. John Carsell

    John Carsell Forum Resident

    Location:
    Northwest Illinois
    And another!
     
  19. Clay

    Clay Forum Resident

    Location:
    Saratoga, CA
    I have Mitsubishi VCRs and like them a lot. A lot better than the old Magnavox. I picked up the non SVHS one and also bought the same for other family members.


    IMO Take a tape you recorded with you to good buys best buy or circuit city and play it in different machines and get the one it looks the best on.

    One with adjustable tracking may help so when you try different models move the tracking around to help determine which is the best.
    If they all work the same get the one that looks the neatest to you or the lest expensive good name brand that meets your needs like HI-FI sound.

    IMO they are all disposable when they break and all should work fine (except APEX and off brands) depending on the specific options you want. I would buy another mits.

    To save $$ you could always try a good will store for a used one for $10 or so.
     
  20. Stateless

    Stateless New Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    Thanks for all the info everyone.

    I'm definitely holding on to my old one because it still plays fine for the most part. Recording is the problem. Anyway, once digital is more affordable, I'll just transfer the tapes I really care from my old RCA onto DVD-R.

    For now I just need a resonable priced Hi-Fi that records well. I tried a new RCA and was surprised when I played pre-recorded tapes in it how much sharper the picture on my old RCA. You would have thought it would have improved in 9 years. :rolleyes: I was pretty disappointed Also most of my SLP tapes were hard to track, so I returned it.

    Anyway I decided to go with a Sharp at the same price $79.99. The reviews on Amazon were very positive, plus it is in black which matches my other components. A was thinking about Panasonic around the same price range but they were mostly silver (as was the new RCA which really clashed) and the reviews on Amazon were quite mixed. As long as the Sharp tides me over until the DVD-R conversion in a few years I'll probably be fine. I'll let you know how it is next week.

    Thanks again,

    WW
     
  21. Craig

    Craig (unspecified) Staff

    Location:
    North of Seattle
    I've noticed that most of the new VCR's only have a clock on the front panel and no channel indicator. A pain if you want to tape something in a hurry. You have to turn on the TV to make sure you're on the right channel, or use the remote and hope.:(
     
  22. reidc

    reidc Senior Member

    Location:
    Fitchburg, Mass
    I have an older Sony SLV-585HF. The thing is one the full-sized audio component sized pieces. I don't remember how old it is- I think it was either a $400 or a $300 unit, and I got it for a hundred less. I have never done anything to it other than clean it.

    I remember my first unit was from 1987- an AKAI Hifi unit that my brother paid $750(yikes) for. The thing did not last very long.


    Chris
     
  23. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    That's why they are so cheap! I now consider them disposable...Still, Panasonic still gives the most bang for the buck! Love that commercial advance especially when we're taping commercial TV..Like NYPD, The Practice, 10-8 and Karen Sisko...Yes, we have no cable and 2 working channels! LOL! TV is limited...We concentrate mostly on DVD and control the programing:)
     
  24. stereo71

    stereo71 Senior Member

    Location:
    texas
    VCR's slide in quality...

    A friend of mine still works on VCRs, although he almost refuses to even look at the recent ones. He says later RCA and GE models are near the bottom of the barrel, which is really sad when you think what those marques once stood for.

    Keep your old RCA--you might be surprised how little it would take to get it back into spec! And the Panasonics mentioned above, like AG1980--those were so-called industrial models, built like tanks, for almost continuous duty. If you can find one that hasn't operated 24-7 you can get a lot of use out of it. Older Mitsubishi and JVC, Toshiba, from just before stereo sound became standard are also built very well, as were the first ones labeled "Hi-Fi", 4-head, etc. Lots of metal parts inside, die-cast frames, etc. Now, it's all plastic, and disposable.

    Today, stick with the higher priced Sonys and JVCs if you still need a VCR. Most of the rest is junk. I think Claus hit it on the head--DVR is where it's going; but like a lot of us here, I have way too much video tape to not maintain a VCR. Keep the old ones! Not unlike stereo components from the late 70s early 80s, those heavy VCRs were the best!

    --Roger
     
  25. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    My first Hi-Fi VCR was a Quasar...1984. Got it just in time to record the LA Olympics. Thing weighed a ton and cost over $900...I was only making around $19K a year then.
     
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