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The *OFFICIAL* 1990-2000 VCR discussion thread...
This is a thread I opened to discuss anything about the mid-90s VCRs made from 1990 to 2000 before VCRs became all plastic and fragile today. What did you like about them, and what did you miss from your old VCR you bought 15 years ago.
VCRs gradually became more cheaply-produced, more troublesome, and disposable, although more feature and convenience to enhance your viewing experience. When DVD player came out in 1997, VCR sales decline and many brands were force to outsource to Funai to get out of the VCR business. Please share your story. Last edited by waltchan; 12-21-2010 at 05:06 AM. |
#2
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Well, my one and only VCR I have right now is a Philips Magnavox Hi-Fi Stereo unit manufactured sometime between 1997 and 1999. It's extremely light weight. The audio quality is good but the video recordings made with the unit are kind of dark, grainy, and saturated I think.
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My top vintage finds: '78 Technics SA-200 Stereo Receiver '84 MC-600 speakers |
#3
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I had, and still have, but it does not work anymore a very wide mostly plastic vcr from around '96 that would play a tape and at the end would rewind it and play it again, over and over until you stopped it. Our new ones can't do that, and I miss it.
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Yes you can call me "Squirrel boy" |
#4
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Quote:
Last edited by waltchan; 12-22-2010 at 02:40 PM. |
#5
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This function is called auto repeat. The first VCR I've seen with auto repeat was made in 1985.
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Audiokarma |
#6
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Best 90s VCRs is awarded to Hitachi...
After a careful evaluation of all VCR makers, the best and most-reliable 90s VCR turns out to be from Hitachi made between 1992 and 1997 (excluding Funai-made ones). It is possible that this chassis is more reliable and durable than any VCRs made in the 80s. This chassis uses zero (nada) rubber belt, but instead it uses a nylon-teeth belt that rarely or never breaks. It is Hitachi's most reliable VCR chassis ever built (no, it is not the 6-belt chassis you really love and adore). Zero rubber belt is always better than six rubber belts plus idler tire.
The second year, 1993 models, is my most favorite and the best one here because this was Hitachi's final year putting in a linear power supply for a VCR (big, heavy transformer). Of course, a linear power supply is always better than a switching power supply. Even the owner at Studio Sound Electronics, largest source of VCR parts, agrees with me, because he told me he rarely or never saw one coming in for service. He's the guy who can tell me which VCR chassis is good and junk, and I was surprised and amazed to hear that this is the only 90s VCR chassis he has nothing bad to say about it. He only saw the 6-belt, 1-belt, late-90s, and Funai chassis. He was surprised to see this and originally thought all Hitachi's mid-90s VCRs were made by Funai. I attached pictures of this chassis to see what they look inside. It came from a Hitachi VT-F391A unit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170579153793 Last edited by waltchan; 01-18-2011 at 10:39 PM. |
#7
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I loved working on Hitachi's. Especially the six belt ones. Got so I could install the whole belt kit in about 6 minutes or less if I was on a roll.
They were very well built and reliable. My favorite old VCR. Panasonics were nearly as good only having the power supply issues once in a while. Nothing a diode or two couldn't fix along with a new tire so you wouldn't see it back for a while. |
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A nice, 1993 Hitachi VT-M273A with this reliable chassis and linear power supply I discussed earlier. This one is too good to pass up. In excellent condition:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HITACHI-4-HEAD-D...item43a4a7c7c3 Last edited by waltchan; 01-22-2011 at 12:26 AM. |
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Just yesterday I picked up 2 Panasonic "Omnivision" VCRs. One was manufactured in 1995 and the other, a 1997 (PV-7400). They seem to be great units. Both are made in Japan. The PV-7400 had extremely muffled sound so I opened 'er up and discovered the audio head to be out of adjustment. She sings beautifully now for a mono unit.
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My top vintage finds: '78 Technics SA-200 Stereo Receiver '84 MC-600 speakers |
#10
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Audiokarma |
#11
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On another note, I also gave my department a six-belt Hitachi VT-33A that I picked up almost a couple of years ago. Last edited by jedo1507r; 03-12-2011 at 10:32 PM. |
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