Needed to replace my broken VCR, so decided upon this model, since my tv is Sony and so is my hi-fi.On first glance it looks great and so light, i was amazed at how light the VCR actually is, didnt notice the actual weight, but was surprised it was VCR and not just an empty box.
BAD POINTS:
Only available in Silver (Black would have been nice)
Menu system is a bit confusing, since some of the options are selected by clicking ok and some are selected by click the -> right arrow button. It takes time to get used to, after pressing ok (which seems so natural for selecting) to a menu option and the system just returns back to normal mode and then you wander why it doesnt work.
Plastic used for the carriage mechanism, also feels very flimsy and doesnt have a positive feel when inserting a tape.
Sometimes slight tape hiss can be heard, but then i was actually listening out for it, otherwise you wouldnt notice, while using the vcr.
The play/stop and Jog/Shuttle search buttons do feel flimsy - but then most of the time, these actions will be performed from the remote control.
Remote control is fine apart from the rew (left arrow), fwd (right arrow), pause (up arrow) and stop (down arrow) buttons are fairly thin and placed around a large central play (ok confirm) button... could have been double the thickness in width (plenty of space on the remote) to make to less fiddly.
Auto Tuning wasnt great, it picked up 2 extra channels, 1 of which was blank, no signal. Easily fixed by chaning the setting in manual mode after the auto procedure has completed, which is indicated on screen by a progress bar!
GOOD POINTS
Looks good.
Front panel simple and well laid out.
Easy to read display, very clear and also can be read from a distance, i have noticed some LCD displays appear blurred and difficult to read, but this has a very clear digit readout, it doesnt have that haze around the digits as with some LCD displays.
Plenty of connections to allow hook up to TV/Sat, Hi-Fi and Cam-corder.
Remote allows all functions to be carried out, which is great. One feature i love is the multibranding. I can operate my TV (Sony) with the same remote, (volume, teletext, channels), so now the original tv remote is spare, thus reducing the clutter.
Timer setting seems easy enough to use, not very much different from my old VCR, so since i am already used to this way of setting the timer, no great deal of difficulty here. Although there is a Smart Dial Timer on the VCR, which is easy to follow, simply push to start, turn to set, push to confirm and continue following the LCD display - apparently can be done in 10 seconds.
Tape mechanism is quiet for play, rwd, fwd, slow and x2 play, though it can be heard during frame advance/rwd. Picture quality during play, (pause, slow and x2 is great, sound noise bars are virtually invisible).
Picture and Sound is only as good as the TV, the Hi-Fi and speakers you use.
For £125, you cant really go wrong.
