Help! What's a GOOD low end (less than $180) Hi-Fi VCR?

[Thegonagle]

I was given a an ?87 Magnavox 27 inch console TV by my Grandma (My uncle bought her a 43 inch Sony rear projection TV) and now I need a Hi-Fi VCR. I tried 2 Panasonic PV-V4521s ($90) in the last two days, but they both suck. I thought the first one was defective, so I exchanged it. The top of the picture will not track properly on prerecorded tapes (i.e. rentals). My 9 year old Sanyo (mono) VCR does not have that problem at all. Furthermore the freeze frame and slow motion are useless on the Panasonic because the picture is jumpy as hell. The Sanyo?s freeze frame/slow motion picture is clean and clear.

I think I might need to spend a little more money, but I don?t want to spend more than $130, and $180 is the absolute max. Can anyone give me any recommendations for a good Hi-Fi VCR? I?d consider almost any brand name except Sony, because I feel that brand?s low end models are crap. (I?ve seen them break too often.)

Thanks, everyone.

 

[BigSmooth]

I noticed last week that Amazon has a Toshiba W608 for pretty cheap, and they have some coupons right now.

What I would do if I were you is go to the major manufacturer sites like JVC, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba etc. and find a model that has the features you want. Then check out a site like PriceScan or PriceGrabber and see if you can find a good deal on it.

 

[Thegonagle]

TTT

Thanks bigsmooth,

The manufacturer's sites pump their products up so much that it's hard to use them to make a decision. I want to buy retail so I can immediately return anything not up to my standards, and I want to use it this weekend to entertain.

I'm going to run a couple of errands now, check back here, look at some sites like www.audioreview.com (not sure if they do VCRs though,) and pack up this Panasonic and pick up something different, so keep the thoughts coming.

Thanks Again

 

[BigSmooth]

<< The manufacturer's sites pump their products up so much that it's hard to use them to make a decision. >>


True. AudioREVIEW is a good idea, you might also check eCoustics and Epinions.
Good luck!

 

[yakko]

I second the Toshiba. I am using one now.

 

[GrInNer]

wow... there's two words you don't often hear in the same sentence... good and low-end.

Anyway, have you checked JVC? There systems seem good enough and they don't break the bank.

 

[Thegonagle]

TTT

Thanks,

Anyone else?


<< wow... there's two words you don't often hear in the same sentence... good and low-end. >>


I don't mean to find the greatest thing out there, since I only have $180 in my pocket, but I do wan't something decent for the money, and if my 9 year old Sanyo does a decent freeze frame, then I say my new VCR should be able to do the same.

I've got to run one more errand downtown at the Gov't Center, then I'm going shopping. . . again.

 

[Thegonagle]

Well, I'm going to pack up this Panasonic and go to look at Toshiba, JVC, and Sanyo, since the Sanyo is fairly old and still works perfectly (just no stereo.) I'm bringing my own test tape to the store, and if I can't try out the VCR in the store, hooked up to a TV (you can't do that at Best Buy anymore,) then they won't earn my business. Sorry, Best Buy, you lose!