What Features Matter In A VCR?

[ThomWV]

I need to pick up a VCR and I don't want to spend much money on one at all. There are a blue million used ones available at E-Bay in the $25~50 range. The problem is that I don't know one feature from another. Can anyone give me a Dummy's-up-to-speed lesson in them? It will certainly be appreciated.

Thom

[Intelsucks]

1. To my knowledge, there haven't been any technological breakthroughs

on VCR's recently, so just about anything will do, unless it's really old. I think pretty much all of them are "hi-fi" with automatic tracking adjustment. I think almost all of them have 4 heads as well, which used to be considered a feature offered in the better, higher-end models.

The bottom line is no matter how much you spend on a VCR, any cheap DVD player will have superior picture quality... But you knew that already.

That's about the extent of my knowledge of VCR's.

[pansypoo53219]

2. most important feature is

does it play DVDs?
of course we have to wait for one that tapes VCR tapes onto DVDs.

[lpbk2713]

3. I like the "Skip" feature on mine.

Push the button when your watching a playback and it "skips" forward for 30 seconds thus skipping over commercials.

[MAlibdem]

4. Get a dvd player (n/t)

[TrogL]

5. One that "marks" where it records

Then you can use the skip feature to quickly find the start of a movie or whatever you've recorded.

[Festivito]

6. Great for stereo reception.

If your TV isn't stereo. Plug the output jacks into your stereo system for really good sound. Stereo used to be $50 extra, bet it's free now.

Hi-Fi, which is very common allows you to record four tracks, two stereo from the TV and two more from the L&R inputs. I like to record TV and NPR on one tape when I can't be there. Not an option for timed recording however.

Auto clock is great for anyone ever in a power outage or hates changing clocks twice a year.

A VCR is the most complicated equipment in any home. You'll want a DVD anyway, and they're cheap also. For recording sound, the price of a VCR can't be beat as right now DVD recorders are too expensive.

[rucky]

7. Make sure the sockets on the back are compatable w/ your TV

or else it's a trip to Radio Shack for adaptors/splitters/etc.

[Wickerman]

8. Don't buy used

Go to Target or Best Buy or hte like (no Walmart) - you can spend about 60 and get a Hi-Fi 4 head with audio video plugs in front (great for dubbing). Most days people only need a VCR for recording so 4 head and stereo are a must.

You'll spend 10 or 15 min to ship if you buy off eBay and who knows what you are getting if its used? The mechanism can wear out - really fast if you use shitty tape or play alot of rentals.