VCR Advice?

[Mark Holtz]

Okay, the two VCRs that I have are basically going south on me. My Toshiba VCR, purchased in 1988, is no longer any good for recording, just playback. The Sony VCR, which is about 4-5 years old, is locking up on recordings. With the price of VCRs being in the sub-$100s, it is no longer worth it to even attempt repairs.

Now, before anyone says "Save your money and get a PVR", I do have a 501 receiver (and would like to get a 508). However, I do transfer recordings from the PVR to VHS. So, I was at Sam's and CostCo, and saw the following:

Sams: Toshiba W20x $59.95, Hitachi $69.95
Costco: Toshiba W627 $69.95, Panasonic PVV-4602 $89.95-$10 rebate.

Obviously, I don't need anything fancy, just a basic stereo recorder. I'm leaning towards the W627 simply because I have good luck with Toshibas.

[Pete K.]

You probably won't go wrong with any of
the VHS recorders you've listed. If you can
wait...it won't be much longer before
you'll be able to purchase affordable
DVD recorders and you can burn the
programs you wish to save to DVD.
Right now, DVD recorders are not cheap
but prices are coming down.
VHS is going the way of the Carrier Pigeon.

[Karl Foster]

I'd go Toshiba. I have a new Toshiba flat-screen tv and am sold on their products now.

[Mark Holtz]

Unfortunately, I can't wait for a DVD burner. I'm borrowing a friends VCR, and he needs it back ASAP.

[HarryD]

Ever consider S-VHS model?? Quite impressive

[Tomsoundman]

I second the Toshiba. I have had good luck with their Svhs VCRs for a long time.

[James_F]

Just buy the cheapest. Its not worth throwing money down a black hole called VHS IMO....

[DishDude1]

Toshiba does not make VCRs. They are actually made by Samsung and Orion for them. Hitachi also no longer makes VCRs, theirs are made by Funai. Of those you listed, Panasonic is the only one that still makes their own machines.

[xgrep]

Either get a throwaway VCR (S-VHS isn't that expensive, either), or get a DVD recorder for around $1K (though maybe less by now). I've seen models from Panasonic, Pioneer, and Philips, and there are no doubt others.

If you're by chance in the market for a new camcorder, get a digital model, record your stuff on that, and then transfer to DVD later when you get a recorder. That's what I'm doing now. Not too convenient, but it meets my needs for the moment.

x

[MarkA]

Get the cheapest SVHS you can find:) SVHS is MUCH better for recording.

[Mark Holtz]

I purchased W-627. Unfortunately, my 501 can't control the VCR. No biggie.

[dishrich]

Have you thought about a Mitsubishi? They now sell them at Best Buy for around $80. On top of being reliable & that they still make their own, here's some of the features I love about them:

If you have 2 in the same room, you can designate one machine as A & one as B, so the remote signals don't conflict w/each other

They have 10 min clock/timer backup

You can do extended 1-touch recording from the front panel (select your channel, push 1 button to set the start time in 1/2 hour increments & push another to set the run time in 1/2 increments & your done)

The timer itself is very easy to set

[Mark Holtz]

All I need the VCR for is transferring programs from the PVR to tape. The W-627 is fine, although I miss a front panel pause button.

[Biscit]

I'm well impressed that your old VHS player has lasted 14 years- wow!

[Nick]

"If you have 2 in the same room, you can designate one machine as A & one as B, so the remote signals don't conflict w/each other."

What a great idea! Hey, Echostar, are you listening???

[Steve Mehs]

Nick that's been possible for years, you just have to change the remote address :)