From: mowat@slipknot.eng.pyramid.com (Eric Mowat)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: New HiFi VCR recommendations?
Date: 22 Dec 92 00:08:49 GMT
Organization: Pyramid Technology
NNTP-Posting-Host: slipknot.eng.pyramid.com

The Sony 585, and 686 as well as the Mitsubishi U54 are all top rated in
the March '92 Consumer Reports.

In article <BzJGGA.JsE@cs.uiuc.edu> gillies@cs.uiuc.edu (Don Gillies) writes:
>
>
>My impression of the SONY 585 is that the remote is incredibly
>complicated and undesirable.  

I'm pretty happy with my Sony 595 (a 585 with VCR+).  The remote works
with other Sony TVs.  If you don't have a Sony TV, consider the 696, for
50 bucks more, which has code-entry, and a flying erase head, just in case
you ever do any editing.

Acutally, the programming ease of use got a high rating in Consumer Reports.
I find it pretty easy to use and especially like the jog shuttle.  

Things I hate though about the 595:

1) When recording a TV program, and trying to edit out the commercials, you
   can pause the deck, and use the jog shuttle to back up the recording
   in case part of a commerical sneaks in.  BUT, you have to use the jog
   shuttle from the console, NOT the remote.  I called Sony about this
   apparent malfunction and they said it was a feature, not a bug.

2) The channel numbers are nice, and large, but you have to have the data
   screen on in order for them to show up when you change channels.  The
   data screen contains all sorts of information that never disappears until
   you cancel it.

3) The clock on the console is way too small to read from a distance.  In
   my living room, the VCR clock is THE only clock, so I keep squinting to
   find out what time it is.  If you're watching a program, you can push
   the wonderfully informative data screen, and find out the time.

4) Changing the channel requires ENTER if your not using the up/down toggle
   button.

As for the features you want:

[Article quoted out of order]
>I'm looking for the following things:
>(1) superior SLP/EP record/playback quality (compared to most VCR's)

Again top scores went to:
Sony 585,686, Mitsubishi U54, Fisher FVH-4903, and Sanyo VHR-9406

>(2) good quality stereo, esp. high-frequency response and separation.
Sony and Mitsubishi had the best.  The others were fair.

>(3) good user interface to programming.  Zenith programming sucks. I.e. 
>    clear simple screens, erase key, no need to "ENTER" numbers, etc.

The 595 has cursor buttons, and default date/time values if you move the cursor
over the value.  VCR+ is also nice. 

>(4) manual tracking from keypad, ability to change tracking in slo-mo.

Not on the 595.  Tracking is only at the console, however, frame-by-frame
advance has been very clear, so I haven't wanted this.

>(5) Hassle-free programming, i.e. ability to easily cancel a program
once it starts; robustness - once you enter a program, I'd like it
>to record no matter what state the VCR is in when the time comes (on
>/ off / etc).  In particular, you have to leave a my mom's old
>panasonic turned off and she never remembers to do it.

I think ALL VCRs force you to be in Timer-Rec mode for any timed recordings
or else start the recording manually.  The 595 has an on-screen message which
reminds you to push Timer-Rec after you've programmed it.

>(6) real-time counter would be nice, but is not a necessity.

All of the VCRs I mentioned do this.

>(7) I have no plans to get a camcorder.  I probably won't do much
>editing.  The Mitsubishi might be overkill.

Also, stay away from the Fisher, it has a huge frequency of repair history
(35% among Consumer Report people surveyed).
----
Eric Mowat   			mowat@pyramid.com
Pyramid Technology Corp.	{sun,hplabs,decwrl,uunet}!pyramid!mowat
-- 
----
Eric Mowat   			mowat@pyramid.com
Pyramid Technology Corp.	{sun,hplabs,decwrl,uunet}!pyramid!mowat
Newsgroups: rec.video