A great value, for the price
Written: Jan 30 '02
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Pros: Great mix of features at a low price
Cons: Menus not as easy as I'm used to, and front controls are placed wrong
The Bottom Line: This is a good choice for a low end home theater system, or a high quality time-shifter, for the non-tehnophobic.
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| davec80's Full Review: Panasonic PV-V4521 VHS VCR |
OK, VCRs were out a while before I bought my first one (remember betamax?), but I've owned enough VCRs now that I remember buying a VHS Hi-Fi VCR with the same features as the Panasonic PV-V4521 (roughly) for almost $700. (and that was a good price at the time!)
In the past, I've stuck with mainly JVC and Sony VCRs, but I won't buy another Sony VCR again. I just mention it so you'll know what I'm comparing this Panasonic model to.
Along with all the usual features of a hi-fi VCR, this one claims to have auto clock set. I couldn't get it to work on mine, and I'm sure I was following the directions to the letter. But this is not a big deal. I mean, if you don't care about VCR+ (which this model doesn't have), then you probably can handle setting the clock manually. Manually setting the clock on this VCR is no harder than any other VCR. One funny feature about this VCR is that it shipped from the factory with the menus set to French! I figure that was probably just my machine, though. Lucky moi :)
I like the fact that this one has index search. It's nice, as it allows you to find the beginning (or end) of a recording very quickly, automatically. Commercial skip is a nice touch, too. Most commercials, I just hit the commercial skip button 3 times (for three minutes), and you'd never even know a commercial was there.
The biggest problem with this VCR is the Record button, which is right next to the Stop/Eject button. Just imagine a dark colored VCR in a dark room and feeling around for the eject button to retrieve your precious wedding video . . . just to realize that you are erasing it!!! It could happen. I've already hit the record button accidentally a couple of times. Luckily, I didn't erase anything important. This really NEEDS to be changed in future models.
The other gripe I have with this VCR is the menu system, or should I say BOTH of them. There is one set of nested menus to set up the VCR and another set to program it. This is unnecessary complexity. Why use two menus when one will do? To compound the problem, the controls are different for one menu than they are for the other. So learning how to set up this VCR is like learning to set up two different VCRs. Well over a decade ago, JVC had a much simpler menu system for their hi-fi vcrs . . . and it operated all the features that are accessible on this brand new Panasonic hi-fi VCR. I would EXPECT on-screen menus to be easier to operate today than they were about 15 years ago. The technology hasn't changed much since then! Maybe I'm expecting too much, but to me, it seems like Panasonic is trying to catch up to the point where JVC was many years ago, as far as their user interface goes.
The menu system isn't terrible to deal with. If you don't care about VCR+, then you are probably competent enough to handle the controls of this VCR. It could be a lot simpler to operate, though.
On the remote control . . . it would seem that there are at least two different remote controls shipped with this model of VCR. Mine is not backlit, like some are. It is a good remote, with controls logically laid out FOR WHAT THEY ARE CONTROLLING. It is the menu system that needs to be revised, as I covered earlier. It only controls TV and VCR, but with really good universal remotes starting around twenty bucks, the included remote with anything these days is kind of redundant. :)
On the good side, I am amazed at the sound quality of this Panasonic unit. I'm specifically referring to stereo recordings that were both made and played back on this VCR. It sounds at least as good as any pre-recorded movie I've ever watched. Having owned many good name-brand Hi-Fi VCRs, I think this is the best sounding VCR I have ever owned!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 80
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Epinions.com ID:
davec80
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Member: David Christensen
Location: Central MA
Reviews written: 39
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Married, electronics technician, computer nerd, and proud of it.
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