Panasonic PV-VS4821 S-VHS-ET VCR - Flimsy But Still Good
Written: Feb 25 '03 (Updated Dec 16 '04)
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Pros: Excellent picture and sound in S-VHS and VHS modes, fast rewind, commercial advance
Cons: Flimsy construction, lame color scheme, no front S-Video input, noise in S-VHS-ET mode
The Bottom Line: This VCR is not rock-solid. It is lightweight, a bit flimsy and looks tacky. But it rewinds tapes fast and produces excellent picture ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: Panasonic PV-VS4821 S-VHS VCR |
My JVC HR-S3600U SVHS VCR started developing color problems, so I decided I needed a new VCR. I needed a S-VHS-ET VCR, because I have S-VHS and S-VHS-ET recorded tapes and because after using S-VHS, regular VHS looks blurry and lacks detail.
The choice was between JVC VCRs (e.g. JVC HR-S3911U), which are cheaper, and Panasonic PV-VS4821. Panasonic is more expensive, but I have always regarded their VCRs to be the best in business. So even though it lacked some features of JVC's lower priced VCRs, I decided to get Panasonic.
Unfortunately, once I got it I saw the same color problems, which leads me to believe the problem is in either my TV, cables or (more likely) electromagnetic fields generated by some, so far unidentified device. I have DirecTV receiver, two VCRs, a DVD player and a 30-inch widescreen TV as well as a DD/DTS receiver and speakers quite close together. One of these devices might produce the EM field that messes the recordings up.
Anyway, here is my take on PV-VS4821, which I had a chance to use and now have to return back to Crutchfield.
Styling
The VCR is only available in bright liver color, which I find lame. The design of the front panel also could be better.
This VCR is lightweight and flimsy. The front panel inputs feel like too much pressure inserting the RCA connectors in them can easily break them off. Ditto the rear panel connectors. However, I haven’t broken anything just yet.
The tape ejects fast and you can insert it quite fast also, unlike JVC mechanisms, which are a bit annoying.
The VCR is also smaller in depth and lighter than my old JVC as well as my 5-year old Panasonic. Some people might say “they don’t make them as tough as they used to be” and “the new VCRs will break more often since they are so lightweight and flimsy”. I am not sure this is true.
In any case, the prices are much lower now then they used to be. By the way, I bought this VCR for $169 from Crutchfiled’s “Scratch and Dent” section, only to find that it had no scratches or dents. Too bad I have to return it.
Some Cool Features
The VCR has very fast rewind (and fast forward). It rewinds the T120 tape in less than a minute. But when I tried to rewind a “South Park” tape, which is about 30 minutes in length, it took substantially longer. Probably because the VCR got confused about the tape length.
The VS4821 starts rewind at very fast speed, but slows down for the last 5 minutes of tape running time to avoid damaging the tape. The rewind for shorter distances is also very fast.
Some people complain that the fast rewind makes them think that the VCR is going to fall apart, because it makes loud noise. I wouldn’t call the noise this model makes loud. You should have heard the noise my old Panasonic SD11 made while rewinding a tape in 2 minutes – that was scary. Still it never broke and never damaged a tape.
The tape position indicator on this VCR is more stylish than the ones used by JVC VCRs, but the remaining time display shows the time in minutes and is not as accurate as JVCs.
The “Commercial Skip” feature marks the commercials and skips them during playback. It works most of the time, but not always.
The VCR also has VCR Plus+ Gold. Never use VCR Plus+ and couldn’t care less.
Picture Quality
The picture quality in S-VHS mode is outstanding. The VCR also produces excellent results with VHS prerecorded tapes. S-VHS-ET mode (S-VHS recording on VHS tapes) is noisy and depends on the tape quality. Still, it has much more detail than regular VHS. The sound is excellent in any mode.
Remote
The remote is very light and is backlit. It is easy to use once you get used to it. It allows you control some brands of cable/DBS boxes and some TVs. My Hughes DirecTV receiver is supported.
Cable Box Control
The VCR has two transmitters embedded in upper lid and the front panel to control cable boxes or DBS. The code library is extensive and I could control my Hughes DirecTV receiver, even without placing the DBS box on the VCR, as manual suggests. With JVC VCRs, you have to mail in a coupon for a separate “Cable Eye” controller. And that controller allows you control only limited number of DirecTV and DISH receivers – JVC, Echostar, Sony and RCA.
Connectivity
The VCR has front A/V input (composite video, stereo audio). The rear panel has A/V input and out as well as S-Video in and out and RF in/out. The power cable is attached to the unit.
The VCR comes with an S-Video cable and an RF cable, but no audio cables.
Overall
This VCR is not rock-solid. It is lightweight, a bit flimsy and looks tacky. But it rewinds tapes fast and produces excellent picture quality. It also can control many DBS and cable boxes. Sounds like a good deal to me.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 169
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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 in Electronics |
 - Top 10 |
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Location: California
Reviews written: 838
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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