Loosing Options
Written: Feb 13 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Low cost machine with lots of little recording options
Cons: Lacks many normal options I consider necessary for a VCR at this level.
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| cmsspace's Full Review: Sony SLV-789HF VHS VCR |
Subtracted features:
1. Non-friendly clock. When the tape is in the VCR and the machine is on, there is no way to view the time set on the VCR. I would like to see the clock displayed on the front of the VCR at all times but the Sony does not even allow for the time to be displayed on the TV. Sony has decided to forgo this option altogether. Pretty poor decision on their part to stop this easy display option.
2. No ultra-fast rewind. This option disengages the tape from the heads, capstans, and most mechanics of the machine and then rewinds the tape very quickly without excessive wear on the machine. This is another option that seems to have been discontinued from Sony machines.
3. No VCR/TV button on machine. To view anything having to do with the VCR, the viewer must have a remote. This makes it much more complicated when trying to set the VCR for quick recording, for simple playback of prerecorded tapes, or even just using the VCR for normal TV viewing. On most VCR's, if a tape is inserted when the machine is off the VCR goes into VCR mode but the Sony just plays the tape without actually displaying it on the TV. This lack of option bothers me the most. I almost took the machine back because of this. What would one do if the remote would become lost (even for a day)? Very poor design.
4. No timer record button. This could be considered a personal preference but I personally do not like the idea that anytime the VCR is "off" it is in a position to record. My preference is to be able to set the timer record. It's harder to accidentally record on the wrong tape and it acts as a reminder to look at the tape position before any recording takes place.
Added features:
1. Five different methods for recording; straight recording with the "record button"-this gives you the ability to pause and stop recording easily; quick timer via the "record button"-standard 1/2 hour increments just by pushing the record button repeatedly; quick timer with a set start and stop time, channel, and speed; timer record by setting up a program within a TV menu (Sony does a very good job with their on-screen programming); and VCR+ programming through the television program number scheme.
2. A good start of program search ability.
As an overall VCR. this machine should be very good. I've owned quite a few Sony products and know they have an excellent rating for durability and quality. I am disappointed in this line of VCR's because of the lack of above mentioned options. Even the 799 model doesn't come with these options. Most of the higher models are virtually unaccessible to the normal consumer. The VCR I purchased 5 years ago (for more money because everything cost more) had all the features I've come to expect from the middle of the line products. I hope Sony will put some of these options back in their line.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
cmsspace
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Reviews written: 1
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