Late '90s? Sony Power Cinema VCR Model SLV-AV100U

[Jeffhs]

This VCR is certainly one of a kind, since VCR Plus+ no longer exists. VCR Plus+ was a feature of some VCRs of the 1990s which allowed the user to set a VCR so equipped to record TV programs simply by entering a 3- to 5-digit code (printed in the TV guide section of most newspapers of the time) into the device. I had a Panasonic VCR equipped with VCR Plus+ in the early 1990s; however, unfortunately, a tape jammed in the machine after just a few years, rendering the VCR unusable from that point forward.

The next VCR I bought (a Panasonic 4-head monophonic system) did not have VCR Plus+, as by then the system was no longer in use. However, I still have the remote from my VCR Plus+ VCR. The remote works with my current Panasonic PV-4022 VCR although, of course, the VCR Plus+ button no longer operates.

BTW, I am amazed my present Panasonic VCR still works, although I guess I shouldn't be surprised since I don't use it too much anymore (I bought an LG DVD player several years ago, and now have a large collection of DVDs as well as VHS tapes). I think the other reason my present Panny VCR still works as well as it does is it has few or no drive belts (I think it only has one or, at most, two belts in the entire mechanism). I believe a major failure mode of many if not most older VCRs, aside from worn heads, was worn or broken drive belts, so Panasonic's newer machines probably had fewer failures (at least from worn or broken drive belts) than others.


BTW, I think I may have made a mistake when I said this VCR has VCR Plus+, as I just looked at a picture of the machine and did not see any such feature mentioned on the front panel. However, since this VCR was made in the 1990s, I would be surprised if it did not have VCR Plus, as most Panny (and other) VCRs made in this time frame had that feature. However, as high-end as the VCR being discussed here must have been, it should have had VCR Plus in addition to all the other things it was equipped with (stereo FM radio tuner, et al).


IMO, this must have been the best VCR Panasonic ever made, hands-down. However, If Panny is still in business in the 21st century, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they are making high-end DVD players (not to mention flat-screen televisions) today.