Nice features, but power loss protection fails
Written: Feb 18 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Commercial skip, control of cable box
Cons: Power protection fails, awkward programming
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| jfaughnan's Full Review: RCA VR650HF VHS VCR |
We had an older sibling of the VR650HF -- the VR692HF. We bought the VR 650HF as a 2nd VCR for time-shifting programs. We like the commercial skip features and the ability to control cable boxes. Since the two VCRs are close together and use the same IR signature, the ability of the VR650HF to be mapped to the 'VCR 2' button on the fancier VR692HF controller was very valuable. (The simpler VR650HF controller has only a VCR 1 button, so we use the VR692HF controller).
Unfortunately, the VR 650HF has one flaw common to all RCA VCRs, and one much more serious problem. The programming interface is very awkward; much less capable than VCRs we bought over 8 years ago. There's no way to edit an existing program setting -- one must remove it and start over. If you don't use the VCRPlus settings this is a significant annoyance.
More seriously, our VR650HF loses all its settings with a power outage of only a few minutes. The VR692HF keeps its settings for an hour or so. Power outage protection was a critical feature when we bought the device -- it was mentioned on the vendors web site and in product reviews. I think it was also on the original box, but I can't find mention of it in the manual.
A VCR that loses its programming and clock settings and configuration during a brief power outage is a mistake. For that reason alone, I cannot recommend this device. If you power protection is claimed on your version of the 650HF, insist on a demonstration prior to purchase.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
jfaughnan
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Member: John Faughnan
Location: St. Paul, MN
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 1 member
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