VCR HELP

IS VHS OBSOLETE?
WHAT OTHER FORMATS ARE THERE? (and we're NOT going to mention Betamax!)

Obsolete? no, despite what you might hear! VHS is still the most universal format for home recordings (at the moment!). Other formats are:-

S-VHS
This format is similar to vhs but has a sharper picture. S-VHS videorecorders are about twice the cost of ordinary VHS. However on larger TVs then the picture quality improvement is worthwhile. The vcrs also play and record normal vhs. Older s-vhs machines needed special tape to work on s-vhs, but newer ones work using standard tapes (called S-VHS ET mode). Despite its good quality it has always been a minority format. Only proving that the deciding factors for the average consumer is price and compatability.

Note that a recording made in s-vhs mode will NOT play on the majority of normal vhs machines, they have to be played on an s-vhs machine. S-VHS has been popular for editing or copying recordings from a camcorder, and has been used as a semi-pro format in the past, but has been overtaken by digital formats now. But JVC make some very reasonable high quality SVHS-machines worth considering for use with large-screen TVs for everyday use if compatability with ordernary vhs isnt important.

D-VHS
or Digital-VHS was introduced a few years ago by JVC but was not at all popular, probably as the machines and tapes were expensive. However it does produce very good pictures and the machines also record and play in normal VHS. Main plus point is very long playing times, up to 21hours on one tape with pretty good digital quality. But is essentially obsolete.

DV
There are a few machines which can use the very high quality miniature DV digital tapes as used in most camcorders. They are expensive, but particularly appeal to those with a DV camcorder as they can playback tapes recorded on their camcorder. Also camcorder recordings can be copied/edited on to DV with no loss of quality using a digital (firewire or mini-DV) connecting lead.

RECORDABLE DVD
These are rapidly gaining popularity, see Recordable DVD HELP for lots of information. Consider carefuly though as this is more complex technology to operate than tape so not for everyone! Plus points are instant access across the disc for playback and they can be very high quality.

HARD DRIVE recording
A newer concept for home-recording, using computer hard drive technology. The recording is stored within the machine (so cannot be 'taken away' and played on another vcr). Typically well over 20 hours can be recorded, a lot longer in a lower-quality mode (there are options in recording quality).
They can combined in the same unit as Sky (Sky+), recordable DVD, digital Freeview TV. Some can record one channel whilst watching another.
Advantages are:-
Record and play 'at the same time', can start recording then some time later start watching from the beginning of the recording while the recording is still going on.
Very good quality.
Instant access (like dvd).

ARE TIMERS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO USE?

The answer is NO! (but often yes!)

Videoplus was the first inovation to ease this age-old issue. Simplify the process by entering a number (which is decoded in the vcr into time-date-channel) shown in the tv guide listings. On 'PDC' (program delivery control) machines then the program should start and stop recording accurately. However PDC does not always work (for very technical reasons) so many users revert to modifying a videoplus program manually to allow for programs running late. There are machines which are straightforward to program with or without videoplus and to modify a videoplus time. You just have to learn how to do it!
Generally speaking the more expensive machines are easier to use, because they have had more thought put into the way they work.

Hard drive and recordable DVD machines can be easier to set for timer recording if they have a 'program guide' as per Sky+ or Freeview.

We aim to give accurate impartial advice about the products we supply, but as manufacturers sometimes change specifications without warning and new products appear overnight, it is not possible to guarantee our advice is always up-to-date. Always phone us or call in to our shop to get the latest info.