Finding the VCR that's right for youJun 04 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line There are many factors to consider when purchasing a VCR. Knowing what they are can help you choose the VCR that's right for you.
VCRs today are relatively inexpensive. Chances are, there is a unit out there for $100 or less that will give you everything you're looking for. But knowing what you're looking for is a challenge in itself. Here is a short list of options, features and specs to keep in mind the next time you visit your local electronics store. RECORDING AND PLAYBACK QUALITY No matter what other features a VCR has, it must have decent recording and playback quality. Recording and playing back tapes are the two things a VCR is designed to do, and if it doesn't do them well, it usually isn't worth buying. To find out if a VCR has good playback and recording quality, read reviews and get opinions about the brand and, if you have one in mind, the specific VCR. Once you have determined that a brand or VCR is good, you can move on to features. 2-HEAD VS 4-HEAD There is no difference in basic features between a 2-head and a 4-head VCR. Both will record and play back tapes. The difference arises when you record using a slower speed. There are three recording speeds available on retail VCRs. SP - This is the fastest, highest quality recording speed, and is mostly used for recording for archival purposes. Commercial video tapes are recorded at this speed. However, the total recording time on the tape is limited to 2 hours on a standard T-120 tape. LP - This slightly slower speed offers slightly lesser audio and sound quality, but gives the user 4 hours of recording time on a standard tape. While once a standard recording speed, most retail VCRs don't offer this as an option any more. EP - This is the slowest recording speed, and consequently produces the lowest-quality recordings. However, it gives the user 6 hours of recording time on a single tape. This is the speed that most tapes' descriptions are based on (eg. 6-hour tape), and is mostly used for recording something temporarily to watch later. When recording at SP, there should be no difference between 2-head and 4-head VCRs. However, when recording at a slower speed (LP or EP), the 4-head VCR will give you better quality than a 2-head VCR. 2-head VCRs are less common, and usually less expensive, than 4-head models. However, unless you're on a tight budget, it's a good idea to get a 4-head VCR, as recording to watch later is one of the most common uses for a VCR, and all other uses are covered as well. STEREO VS MONO First, a bit of terminology - "Hi-Fi" means "stereo". This can be confusing, as the two terms were once mutually exclusive. Today, they are interchangeable. Both "mono" and "stereo" refer to sound. "Mono" sound plays the same sound through both left and right speakers simultaneously. "Stereo" sound plays different sounds through each speaker, more closely mimicking the way humans hear. Mono VCRs are, predictably, less expensive than stereo VCRs. However, keep in mind that a mono VCR will only record mono sound, even if the recorded sound is in stereo. Also, since sound passes through the VCR on its way to the TV, stereo broadcasts willcome through in mono as well. In general, it's best to go with a stereo VCR, even if you don't have a stereo TV. However, if you are on a tight budget, or if sound quality doesn't really matter to you, mono will do the trick. FEATURES There are a great many features available in today's VCRs, and some features have several options. Here is a list of some of the features available: Auto-set clock - Every VCR has a clock, which is necessary for setting up recording times, and a way to set it manually. The auto-setting clock feature searches the incoming broadcast for a time signature, and sets the VCR's clock accordingly. However, if there is no time signature available, or if the VCR cannot find it, the user will still have to set the clock manually. Timer - Every VCR has a timer, which displays the hours/minutes position of the tape. Options for this feature include, among others, a visual tape position indicator and a time remaining display. VCR Plus - This feature allows the user to circumvent the much-dreaded programming of their VCR by punching in a pre-set number, found in several television program guides. This feature requires a bit of setup to conform to your cable channel lineup, but it saves effort down the road. However, VCR Plus usually adds to the cost of a VCR. A/V Inputs - Most VCRs today have at least one set of A/V input jacks in addition to the standard RF (cable) connector. These allow you to hook up a video game system, DVD player, or other audio/video device to your VCR. On a stereo VCR, there will be three jacks - video, left audio and right audio. On a mono VCR, there will just be video and audio jacks. Almost every VCR has these inputs in the back, and many offer them in the front as well, for easier access when hooking up camcorders, game systems, etc. In general, it's a good idea to at least get one set of A/V inputs, usually in the back. However, if you can afford it, don't hesitate to get the front jacks, especially if you have a camcorder or have no A/V inputs on your television set. S-VHS - S-VHS, or Super VHS, is a high-end option that allows you to record on S-VHS tapes. S-VHS recordings have a higher resolution and clearer picture than standard VHS recordings. However, this feature is expensive - chances are, you won't be able to get an S-VHS VCR for $100 or less. And most, if not all, S-VHS VCRs do not allow you to record in standard VHS format, eliminating the ability to play back tapes in a standard VCR. In general, unless you have a specific use for Super VHS, you probably don't need it. There are many other features not listed here, some more common than others. Once you have looked at several VCRs, you will have a good idea what is out there, and can decide which features are important to you. FRONT PANEL VS. ON-SCREEN DISPLAY There are two places on a VCR where information can be displayed; on the front panel, or the on-screen display, which appears on your television screen. The front panel is the most accessible, as it is always there. The on-screen display usually requires that you press a button on the remote, but is a good substitute when the front panel is displaying something else. Not too long ago, VCRs with front panel displays gave the user access to all information through that display. Today, however, with on-screen displays being far more common, the tendency has been to relegate some information to screen only in certain situations. Determine what you want to see on your VCR, and where you want to see it. If you want to have a clock on the front of your VCR most of the time, make sure it stays there. If you don't mind on-screen displays, make sure the information you want to access is available there as well, and that it stays on-screen. If you want to go the budget route, there are less expensive VCRs made without front-panel displays. However, if you get one of these, make sure that (1) it has an on-screen display, (2) you don't mind getting your information through an on-screen display, and (3) the on-screen display contains all the information you want. CONCLUSION Figure out what is important to you. If it's price, go for a basic VCR with no frills. If it's features, make sure you get the ones you're looking for. If it's information, make sure it is displayed somewhere. Whatever your criteria, make sure your VCR does what it's supposed to - play back and record tapes well. Do the research. Find out what brands are well-rated. Get opinions from others who own or have tried the same product. Once you have put all of this information together, you will most likely have narrowed it down to one or two models. Then all that's left is to try it. In the worst case, there's usually a return policy. In the best case, you will have the VCR that's right for you.  |
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