Yet Another Fine Sony VCR
Written: Dec 02 '00 (Updated Jan 03 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent Sony quality
Cons: Lack of remote-control "channel" selection
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| control-cancel's Full Review: Sony SLV-N80 VHS VCR |
In Sony's current lineup of VHS VCRs, the N80 is third from the top. The missing features from the more expensive models include a jog/shuttle wheel, editing features like flying erase heads and audio dubbing, and the SmartFile feature (which uses electronic labels on tapes to keep track of what is recorded on them). In addition, remote control of an external cable box is optional with this model; it will work with the little "cable mouse" from Sony, but does not include one. The more expensive models include it, while the less expensive ones lack the feature completely.
So the N80 is perfectly placed for the person who wants a decent VCR, but doesn't need the more advanced features. The next-higher model adds $50 to the price.
This model (unlike the others) is silver in color, designed to match the beautiful Sony Wega televisions, which I do not have (yet). Still, even without a matching-color television, it fails to look silly next to the other black components in my system. In fact, it's a pretty nice-looking machine.
Features
It comes with the standard features you would expect from a consumer VCR: Hi-Fi stereo, auto tracking, wireless remote control, VCRplus+ Gold for programmed recording, front-panel inputs for temporary hookups, cable-ready tuner, on-screen menu control, 8-event recording timer.
Also included are a few not-so-standard features. One is something called the "Reality Regenerator," which is supposed to be able to improve the picture when playing back poor-quality recordings, such as tapes in EP mode or tapes that have been re-recorded dozens of times. This isn't quite as good as they make it out to be; while it does make poor recordings a bit less blurry, it also does add some noise of its own to the picture. This isn't a function you would leave enabled all the time; if you are watching something you think may benefit, you can just switch it on and see if you like the results.
When you initially set up the unit, it can automatically scan your cable for available channels. You tell it what zip-code you live in for further accuracy. It will also set its own clock from the cable signal, which is very handy and seems to work perfectly.
The remote control is standard Sony stuff: it does its job, and goes the extra mile by being able to control the important functions (like volume and channel) on televisions and receivers of many brands. Of course, if you're anything like me, this just means one more remote added to the ever-growing pile, and there's probably a Phillips Pronto programmable remote in your future.
The main annoying thing about this unit is the lack of a selectable "channel" for the remote control. Older Sony VCRs had a switch to select among three different "channels" for the infrared remote, so that you could use more than one Sony VCR in the same setup without conflict. However, Sony has seen fit to remove this feature in their newer models. This means that all Sony VHS VCRs use the same remote control codes, and if you have more than one Sony VCR, hilarity ensues. Why Sony decided to remove this invaluable feature is totally beyond me, and it is extremely annoying. I'm taking away one whole star for this. The old VCR I replaced with this model had this feature. Luckily, the other Sony VCR I have does have it, or controlling both with their respective remotes at the same time would be impossible. Hit "power" on one remote and both VCRs would fire up. Not good.
The VCRplus+ Gold feature, which allows you to record selected shows using the little codes printed next to them in TV Guide and elsewhere, will automatically map your cable company's channel lineup with the appropriate VCRplus+ codes. This saves the step of manually programming the codes.
Operation
Both picture and sound are as good as you would expect from a Sony (and as good as you could expect from VHS). Leaving the Reality Regenerator shut off during normal viewing (movies, etc) is advised.
The on-screen display can show you not only the time, channel, and remaining amount of tape, but even the name of the show that's on in many cases. If you record multiple shows on a tape, a "Tape Guide" menu attempts to list all the programs on the tape, and lets you select one and have the VCR move to the right place on the tape for it. This only works for the one tape that's in the machine; if you insert another, you're starting over from scratch.
The eight-event timer can be programmed with an on-screen menu or with a control on the front panel of the VCR. So, unlike many VCRs, you can actually set the timer on the N80 without the television turned on, if you want.
When watching television through the VCR's tuner, you can select channels using an on-screen list of numbers and station IDs, or a list you can create of your favorite channels.
The remote has a "Commercial Pass" button, meant to be used to skip commercials on recorded shows. Press it, and the VCR goes into fast-forward. Press it again, and it backs up a bit before going into Play mode, to compensate for your reaction time in seeing the end of the commercial and hitting the button. This must have been tested on drunk people; it backs up so far that you end up wanting to hit fast-forward again. Eventually, I suppose you'll learn to wait a bit after seeing the ads end to hit the button, to compensate for the compensation. Probably easier to just use the fast-forward button, and then compensate yourself by hitting rewind for a moment if you overshoot the commercial.
In Conclusion
All in all, the N80 is an excellent home VCR that I would recommend for anyone. I've had quite a few Sony VCRs over the years, all of which I have been very happy with, and this one lives up to the name.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
control-cancel
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Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 14
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