[net.video] Do you have experience purchasing a quality vhs vcr?

abeles@mhuxm.UUCP (J. Abeles (Bellcore, Murray Hill, NJ)) (02/24/86)

Suppose I want a VHS vcr, with 4 heads, remote control, stereo, and hi-fi.

1)  Is there any difference in quality (as opposed to reliability)
    among the different manufacturers?

2)  Is there a difference in reliability?

3)  What is the cheapest price I can find for the above product?

4)  Is this subject covered in a recent Consumer Reports?

By the way, am I correct in observing that video equipment, as opposed
to audio equipment, is not being sold in specialized small dealerships
because there isn't much difference between the different products?
There doesn't seem to be such a thing as high-end video that the
usual discounters aren't authorized to handle.  I have heard of Proton,
and the Sony XBR, and they are widely distributed (available in quantity
at Top's in Edison, NJ.

--J. Abeles
  mhuxm!abeles

heneghan@ihlpf.UUCP (Heneghan) (02/26/86)

> 
> Suppose I want a VHS vcr, with 4 heads, remote control, stereo, and hi-fi.
> 
> 1)  Is there any difference in quality (as opposed to reliability)
>     among the different manufacturers?
No
> 2)  Is there a difference in reliability?
No
> 3)  What is the cheapest price I can find for the above product?
~ $600
> 4)  Is this subject covered in a recent Consumer Reports?
Not to the detail you really need
> By the way, am I correct in observing that video equipment, as opposed
> to audio equipment, is not being sold in specialized small dealerships
> because there isn't much difference between the different products?
> There doesn't seem to be such a thing as high-end video that the
> usual discounters aren't authorized to handle.  I have heard of Proton,
> and the Sony XBR, and they are widely distributed (available in quantity
> at Top's in Edison, NJ.
You pay for features, design, and ease of use. It's like buying a car-
do the features justify their cost? I bought an RCA and can't say anything
negative, except for they could explain things better and save you some
putsing around. Overall, I think they have more features.

					Joe Heneghan