80s VCR vs 90s VCR vs 2000s VCR

Here you see 3 VHS VCRs from my collection... UPDATE AUGUST 2020 - Just uploaded a new video with these same 3 VCRs, 8 years later and now in 4K: • VHS VCRs Revisited, wi...
A Panasonic PV-1200 from 1981, a Mistubishi HS-U59 from 1994, and a Sony SLV-N50 from 2001.
This comparison shows some ways the consumer VCR has changed over the decades. The 1981 VCR is a very mechanical contraption, while the newer VCRs move many functions into software. You also see features unique to every decade, i.e. the 80s VCR's external input labeled "camera" and the inclusion of Audio dub/microphone input. The 90s VCR has "VCR Plus" programming with a cable box control. By the time the 2001 VCR was purchased, the VCR was on the way out so this model is not as full-featured as the others, but it does have Auto Clock Set. (IMHO, the best feature ever added to the VHS VCR was HiFi Audio recording.)
On the inside, the 1981 VCR has two huge fold out circuit boards, lots of connecting wires, and is heavily populated by standard electronic components such as diodes, resistors, and capacitors. Sections are labeled with names like "Chroma" and "PG Shifter." The circuit boards in the 1994 VCR are more specialized and smaller, but still stacked and cramped. The 2001 VCR has just a single main board and a tuner module, and very few standard components. A label stamped on the loading mechanism says "SHY" - wonder what that means?
I am not an electrical engineer, but it would be interesting to hear an opinion on these
designs in terms of longevity and reliability. Would the 1981 VCR have the potential to keep running longer, since its more generic makeup lends itself to perpetual repair? Or is a VCR made of fewer specialized chips so reliable that only the power supply would ever need replacement, even after the chips are out of production?
At the tail end of the video you see the Panasonic PV 1200 compared to the PV 1210. Both were available from the local Target at the same time for the same price. The PV-1210 seems more of a "no frills model" in that it dropped the lighted tuner, audio dub, microphone input, and counter memory switch. Also, you could not set a recording end time - it just recorded from the start time until end of the tape. But the PV-1210 was a small step forward in design - it recorded with a single button (pressing play and record was an old tape deck convention) and moved the clock and external inputs up front. I remember my school also having an RCA branded VCR built on this same chasis - I wonder who really made these VCRs and how they chose these variations in design/features?
Actual repair history on these VCRs: The 81 and 94 VCRs have both had new belts. The 1200 was given to me after the owner banged on it repeatedly because it wouldn't go (hence the cracked lid in the video). Power wasn't getting to a section of it, so I grounded or re-routed something and it started working. I also had to replace the light inside the loading mechanism which tells it to stop rewinding. The PV-1210 had a problem where the motor would not turn, but I was able to trace power to a regulator IC and order a replacement. The VCRs all still work in 2012. The motivation for this video was a transfer project for someone which caused me to pull them out of storage, along with reading the recent Steve Wozniak autobiography in which he fondly remembers repairing VCRs....

[@ACBMemphis]

A newer video in 4K with more info on the very old VCRs is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ine5lmSlgqypbLs

[@MustangSam]

Around 1997 I had my own repair shop. I had hundreds of vcr's piled in my garage and I saved some of the old heavy ones. They were amazing works of art to me. Opening up the circuit boards like pages of a book, and a gazillion parts underneath. I still have an RCA 1979 model like new with book and purchase receipt. I have about 4 more early models. They are so heavy you have to be careful when you lift one. I really enjoyed working on vcr's and had hundreds of customers.

[@NuGanjaTron]

I agree. I have 3 Panasonics from '83-'84, still working. Amazing build quality. I had much more recent plastic fantastic PoS's regularly fail. JUNK.

[@monos70]

I LOVED the smell of the decals of brand new Polaroid Vhs tapes as soon as the plastic wrapping came off.

[@stephendeinema9259]

I must thank my VCR for eating all those tapes growing up. It gave me a reason to open the VCR, which sparked my curiosity about how electronics work. It's been a life long fascination that all started with those tapes getting eaten

[@GoldSrc_]

I love the sounds those amazing machines make when they are working.

[@ModMINI]

Hey - I have a PV-1200. Beautiful machine. However, mine only plays tape for a few seconds and then stops by itself. Rewind and fast forward work normally. Do you have any experience repairing or know why it might be doing this? Thanks!

[@Thomass7586]

One of, If not the most complicated piece of electronics in anyone's home. I miss those's. V.C.R's Thanks for sharing.

[@GoobNoob]

you put it in and press play.Probably the easiest to use.

[@pgtmr2713]

Ah but what channel is it going out to? Composite, 3,4? Why doesn't this tv have composite or a coax hookup dammit? Is radioshack still open? Which one goes to the cable and which one to the tv? Why the F is the clock blinking 12:00 still? OMG is the tape stuck? Honey the tape is stuck, it won't do anything. Did you record over our wedding video? Yep, easiest device to use ever. XD

[@bartoszsasal818]

electronics and mechanics as well

[@Tomsonic41]

My first ever VCR was in 1988 and was one of the earliest all-electronic front-loading machines. Even then, the build quality was MUCH higher than you'd get in mid-90s and 2000s VCRs, and this VCR of mine actually continued working until around 2005!

[@rcharne]

Not sure about the claims of poor quality with VCR's built in the 2000's. The main workhorse VCR that I own is the JVC model HR-S9800 which is a S-VHS. I bought it in 2000, and after lots of use, I did not know anything about cleaning these units and I purchased a dry type video head cleaner. It messed the unit up to where a tape would not play. I took it to a local video repair shop and they fixed it. So, since then, for 16 years, I have had no further issue with it. I also own 1 other JVC vcr-dvd combo unit, and also 3 Panasonic VCR's which are used with TV's throughout the house. All of these are between 10-16 years old and they have operated just fine. I think the quality of the JVC and Panasonic brand is the reason, plus there is no smoking in the house, and I do all the cleaning of each unit (removing the cover to do the cleaning)

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

rcharne most lower end VCR's from the 2000's were made by funai and that's what everyone is thinking of. the Sony, Panasonic, and JVC models were still good quality

[@tristan6509]

S-vhs machines are usually higher end and they're made better than the shitty sub $100 ones.

[@Ballowax]

My god that ejecting mechenismn in that 80's VCR is so satisfying.

[@mvShooting]

Hi-Fi audio for VHS recording is an essential.

[@LisaWagner-wy5li]

Vcr s are making a huge comeback in 2024 and VHS tapes are going up in thrift shops here in Pennsylvania

[@OrangeBoiiii]

God bless the commonwealth

[@dirkdiggler2430]

So many childhood memories 😫

[@ldchappell1]

My first encounter with a VCR was a prank my boss played on me in 1977. I was 19 and I worked for a man who wrote scripts broadcast TV. My boss called me at home on a Saturday morning and asked me to come to his house and retype a script for "The Love Boat." I went to his house and spent about an hour typing up the script. After I finished he asked me if I had seen the Paul McCartney & Wings concert that had been on TV the night before. When I said no he shook his head and said. "That's terrible. Would you like to see it right now? I can call the TV station now and tell them to play it again since you missed it." Of course I thought he was pulling my leg. He picked up the phone and pretended like he was calling the TV station. Then he went into the kitchen for a minute and turned on the TV when he came back. I looked at the TV and I couldn't believe it! We watched the concert for about 10 minutes when he started laughing and motioned me to go into the kitchen with him. There sitting on the table was a humongous Sony VCR. That prank sounds so silly these days but back in 1977 most people didn't know what a VCR was. I wasn't able to afford one until 1983 and then stupid me, I went and bought a Panasonic Betamax. Even though Beta format went extinct, I used that Betamax until 1997. I bought my first DVD player in 2001 but kept my VCR and tapes for 3 more years. By the time I gave it up I had at least 600 VHS tapes. I gave them all away to my friends.

[@JackKirkpatrickVideos]

+ldchappell1 Panasonic never made beta decks..

[@TheMediaDirectory]

ldchappell1 great story!

[@AnOfficialAndrewFloyd]

You're right. Sony never licensed Beta to other manufacturers.

[@themaritimegirl2]

+ldchappell1 Every image in that search is either a Panasonic VHS or a Sony Betamax machine. Just because Google Images coughs up pictures when you search something doesn't mean the pictures are actually of what you searched. Panasonic never made a Betamax VCR.

[@RPDX]

:-D

[@robertyglesias9673]

I remember recording the academy awards show and a super bowl I felt like I was in heaven with my first VCR, my first VCR lasted about 10 years

[@CZghost]

That's actually good. I've got old floppies, nearly 30 years old, and most of them still work. Incredible :) However, reading the disk is painfully slow and nowadays I don't even have a well working machine with a floppy drive. I have still an old machine with a floppy drive, and yes, it still works, however the computer is really slow and choppy, I guess it is about to die soon.

[@girlscanbedrummers5449]

1:11 sounds of my childhood

[@nordwinds2561]

Me too ^^

[@billybassman21]

The PV-1200 was made from 1979 and 1980. I have one as shown in my avatar. It works great and has a better picture than most VRC's from the 90s and 2000s.

[@whattheheck1000]

Interesting detail. So it would have been made in 1979 or 1980 - probably 1980 - and purchased June 7, 1981. February 26, 2020 1:42 am

[@ticklewit]

The tilted head always mistified me in childhood.

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

Same!

[@kedarmantri4860]

read Helical Scanning dear, it will demystify you

[@Elmware]

If they didn't have that diagonal, spinning head, your tape wouldn't hold 2 hours worth of recordings. It was designed that way to make the tracks diagonal, so they can get more of the image onto the tape.

[@treystephens4490]

Keep and use all your video tapes and players people!

[@chloegilbert647]

I just bought an old LXI VCR for $3.00....now I don't have to throw out my VHS movies. :)

[@liammusgrove6334]

i do!

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

They, along with vhs tapes and merchandise from said decades, should be preserved nowadays

[@BrandoNoCaps]

This is pretty satisfying

[@bgumbleton]

Most VCR's were selling for around $20.00 in 2003-2004.

[@vegavgf0369]

There is a 2010s VCR which was made by JVC as a combo unit. Sadly, they ditched S-VHS and analog TV input

[@CesareVesdani]

VCR technology is still good.

[@azlinazlin7610]

I bought my VCR SONY SLV X17 in 1997...its worked great almost 15 years

[@FredJensen4745]

When asked what my favorite kind of VCR is… I respond “damn you may as well of asked who my favorite child is!”

[@OddMediaProductions]

VHS Rewinders, and the people who race them! Tape Racers

[@OddMediaProductions]

SgtPiggie That would also be quite funny! Maybe for the sequel...

[@TDC_MEDIA_FILMS]

Release date for VHS: 1977 Release date for Betamax: 1977 VHS discontinued date: 2008 Betamax discontinued date: 2016

[@2574mcu]

I remember buying one of the first hi-fi VCRs that Curtis Mathes offered.i got a good deal. I worked there and they gave me a discount. It had a audio only switch for recording music. The sound quality was fantastic. It was quite expensive. I got my money's worth out of it.

[@johneygd]

Our panasonic vcr deck from the 80's lasted 20 years,our philips vcr deck from the 2000 only lasted 1,5 years.

[@droiduseruserdroid1731]

Capacitor plague years. If you had tracked down the caps, you could have repaired it and it would have been better than the 80s model.

[@SHARPGFX-dc9gj]

I hate Philips. I love Japanese products.

[@CrazyInWeston]

I cant remember the brand, but it WAS an 80's VHS player, When It was passed down to me as a teenager in the year 2000...Every time I wanted it to rewind it would NEVER rewind unless I gave it 5/6 whacks on to the top of the machine. It would suddenly rewind. It had to be 5/6 punches to the top of the machine EVERY SINGLE TIME before it would rewind, or the rewind function wouldn't work. It would play and fast forward perfectly fine, but not rewind unless you punched the machine 5/6 times. The weird thing was, was that a "pause" rewind (you know that very slow rewind it does when rewinding from a pause screen) would always work. So why not proper rewind? I have no idea, but after 5 bashes it would do its job every. Single. Time. And it werent light taps or hits to the machine, I had to hit it with my hand hard as I could!

[@evergriven7402]

@@CrazyInWeston How often did you watch tapes to do this ? did you not know about video tape rewinders? If you did know about them could you not afford one? Have you sustained Metacarpal Fractures?

[@RoughJustice2k18]

I own a few Panasonic 6-head Hi-Fi VCR's from 1998 (Made in Japan) that still work today. They use Z-mechanisms - quite robust compared to their flimsy R4-mech Super LP counterparts of 2002/03 onward which are loaded with fragile plastic gears that break easily. None of my machines need new belts (yet).

[@Danielagostinho21]

1:08 I can't be the only one that considers this move by the VCR as betrayal.After years, everyone told me, DON'T OPEN THAT LID, DON'T TOUCH THAT TAPE, and this little "innocent" machine opens the lid and stretches it out that far and no one cares

[@MaxwelThuThu]

Bem, há uma boa diferença quando as peças não são dedos gordurosos xD

[@aus80srockradio94]

This is a great visual, but a little too quick to follow.

[@SFSVHS]

I agree! It would be much better if it had just a few extra seconds on each part.

[@faizanshah8443]

H

[@faizanshah8443]

Hello

[@faizanshah8443]

Hello

[@ACBMemphis]

I'm not a repair expert and I have not worked on these things in probably 20 years, but measuring the power coming to the motor might be good a place start. It seems like another symptom of my particular power problem was the light bulb that shines through the tape was not on....

[@brig.4398]

panasonic I think is one of the best, the newer machines have a lot of plastic parts. I used to work in a repair shop and so we kept a supply of superglue on hand to fix them. I often wondered if the customers knew if we were gluing them back together. of course some parts like gears etc. we had to replace.

[@bobskie321]

The old NTSC VCR has three recording speeds (SP LP SLP) (0:32). Many newer NTSC VCR only has two recording speeds (SP EP). They can't record LP but can still play tapes recorded on LP.

[@MMaheshThakur]

Just 18 years ago.. this all are alive. Now world became digital and they are histry

[@CARLOS74376]

Thanks Thankyou very much Refresh old memory 1987 i had G.8 VCR Olden times Golden times GOD BLESS you always

[@TheCRTman]

I love that 1981 Panasonic!

[@GustoTheGamer]

i have a Sharp 6 head vcr from 2003...its awseome..it still works !!!

[@MMaheshThakur]

Joshi Oyabun mine was out of order.

[@vasiliansotirov6976]

Your logo is a JVC cassette deck VU meter right? I have a JVC deck with the same VU meters(JVC KD-A3). They are very beautiful.

[@ACBMemphis]

Yes you are correct. It is from this deck: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHeqYXtompeei7c

[@vasiliansotirov6976]

ACBMemphis You can see mine on my channel

[@CoolDudeClem]

I'd go with the 90's VCR any day, although that 80's VCR will outlast last that piece of crap from the 2000's.

[@chriskawaitori2003]

when i was 13 last year. my aunt gave me her old sanyo vcr because my old one broke. when i record stuff with the mono audio mode on it sounds like old 90's vhs recordings which suprised me.

[@c71score]

My Mom was born in 1960, and her Grandparents left a trust for her 25th birthday that was enough for a down payment on a home in 1960. My parents used that money to buy a VCR, blank tapes, a copy of Ghostbusters, and a microwave. Gots to love inflation, lol. The VCR lasted until about 1994, and the microwave crapped out in about 1996. Both got a lot of use and were well worth the money.

[@ACBMemphis]

My parents got an early 80s microwave as well, with analog dials. That is one of those appliances they thought they would only use rarely, but after purchasing it became a favorite appliance. Thanks for watching the video!

[@i.a.khushi1054]

Now 2021.....Amazing how fast technology has gone....

[@thekingofmario6322]

I Have One Of These 1980s Panasonic VCR When I Was 12.

[@realgroovy24]

the VCR's were the best in the 80's up til about the early 90's that one from 1994 also makes it in to the list too but late 90's/early 2000's VCR's the quality of the components are terrible

[@ShiningKureha]

Sony Trinitron you're a tv.

[@realgroovy24]

***** We're talking in general here. My 2002 LG VCR is decent (been used for years and has had quite a lot of use) but considering the build quality compared to the older ones of mine (like my Mitsubishi HS-337 and HS-411 machines) it's pretty lackluster, but that doesn't mean it is terrible. Those low end late model Funai ones are truly terrible.

[@aus80srockradio94]

In reality, like a lot of Hi Fi. Stuff is way cheaper these days for sure, but is not built to last. Cars are no different either.

[@joedidit3233]

Actually most cars easily last more than twice as long now than they did 40 years ago. Especially transmissions and engines.

[@Ballowax]

@@realgroovy24 I ounced had an orion VCR from the mid 90s. Didn't support vhs hi-fi and left crumple marks on tapes for every time I trie to rewind.

[@demerit5]

Damn. a VCR still cost $550 in 1994?! That's crazy. I have a very nice Panasonic PV-8661 from 1998 that actually has surprisingly good video quality.

[@retrovhsmanvaultfromthe70s97]

I like 4 head vcr better

[@kungpaopizza2126]

demerit5:Dunno bout u but there was no bigger exitement for me than to see everybody leave the house & then Tun to my secret stash & pull out that xxx vhs 📼 tape I stole from some cousin & pop it in & enjoy 😉 cus porn loses it fizz after ur no longer in your teen years

[@edvinneluis2635]

Sanyo fisher and sharp were good vcr brands in the 90s and 2000s

[@jimmybyramji194]

Please can any one advise from where I can purchase any old antique radiogram used or new???

[@robertyglesias9673]

I always prefer the Top VCR

[@sixtoravelino8021]

cómo quisiera que volviera esos aparatos de antes se extraña mucho yo tenía de esos aparatos

[@kezadrone]

Still got mine and the hundreds of tapes that are with it, I even have blanks, but I shoot full HD now, some folk still ask me for a VHS copy of stuff. I must be one of very few that understands tape editing, maintenance and such.

[@LiFurr]

Это вам ещё новый Панасоник попался ) У меня был Шарп с фронтальной загрузкой, но с видеоголовкой, которая приводится в движение с помошью ремня ! )

[@Bhartiya969]

During Those days all the appliances, electronics, gadgets, etc has long life and strong build quality. I like to buy one VCR for my old Video Cassette collection. Just buy one Audio Cassette Player and playing my mix tapes and searching the same Audio tracks on KZbin + music apps

[@sneskid78]

The Mits from 1994 has more features like a full cable ready tuner, Hi-Fi Stereo sound, and flying erase heads (for editing). The Panasonic from 1981 however, has a much more solidly built mechanism and will probably last longer without repairs.

[@DeepSpaceNetwork]

ive got a philips vcr from 1998. i actually still use it due to my large collection of vhs videos

[@realgroovy24]

I still use mine and also use it for tv recording

[@glennmillerfan]

+Sony Trinitron I actually still use Beta for recording once in a while (though for the most part, I use DVD+R discs for recording). I read that blank DVD's do not last as long as Betamax tapes overall. VHS seems like it is the worst format in terms of longevity, as I have two VHS tapes my parents recorded on their first VCR (the Magnavox VR8416SL) in 1985 that are pretty much unplayable.

[@realgroovy24]

glennmillerfan Yeah, Beta is definitely a better format, if only it had won the war! I've seen the mechanisms play while open on both and the Betamax "U" mechanism is better, there were some Philips if I can recall VHS VCR's which used the "U" system rather than the "M" system but those aren't that common for some reason.

[@kungpaopizza2126]

doomham100:Do those include the stolen ones from Blockbuster’s?...jk ...but _do_ they?

[@kungpaopizza2126]

glennmillerfan:Did they record their wedding.... *night?*

[@cyberswiper6317]

The development of this must've taken ages back then

[@hermawanistiyanto3201]

Because not yet applied ADC & DAC. From that can produce like CD, DVD, USB memory & digital communication.

[@fordmavericksosx3569]

Very cool! Awesome video!!!

[@tharii314]

I think the 90s VCR Looks pretty good..

[@sharnjeetsony9628]

BEAUTIFUL VIDEO MOVIES.

[@SHARPGFX-dc9gj]

Thanks for this video. VCR was expensive in India.

[@Oerg866]

Ahh, good old Panasonic mechanism. Those things are unkillable =)

[@ApostKef]

Trust me,they are,i have a Panasonic vcr with no much use and it failed 2 times,the second one was prominent

[@Peppermint1]

Old units were packed with several circuit boards and had rubber belts - these crumble and won't eject the cassette. Later units - much smaller and very lightweight - no longer have problematic power supply and have very small circuit boards that also use micro capacitors and have direct drive motor - no more rubber belts. Unfortunately, later units use cheaper head bearings which are too noisy during playback - some noise is normal, but these cheap units from 2000s are too noisy.

[@MariachiBro]

I had one of each. The 80s one was on its last few years. (My parents bought it before I was born). Then we got the 90s one then the late 90s/2000 one

[@masterandservant8021]

mariachi music sucks

[@olepigeon]

00:30 Only older VCRs can "do the Dew."

[@Boujai12]

Anything built by Matsushita were the best....Especially in the 80's. Panasonic, GE, Sylvania, Quasar.....

[@BellaBehindAKidBehindACamera]

I have the same vcr from the 80s the tape eject is still awesome to me

[@jhj22]

Yep, KZbin's Recommendation System works...

[@forcedadventure]

GREAT EDITING.............................................GREAT "VCR" VIDEO !!!

[@ModMINI]

The belts appear to be in perfect shape.

[@muiscnight]

I have that exact 2001 model in my room I thought we got it in the 90s

[@carlosestebanvr]

I think there are different models of that vcr cause i got one extremely similar to that one showed in the video and the manual of mine says 1995

[@D4V1D83FY]

great comparision!! I have a ITT VHS from 1983 and Sanyo Beta from 1982

[@MillerNj41]

I have old coliseum videos why does it not play right it makes a noise and video distorts or flutters to noise

[@ryans413]

2000s VCR one motherboard and the VCR mechanism. 80s VCR motherboard powerboards soundboards videoboards and VCR mechanism

[@jonjonas2528]

Use your VHS vcr videorecorder and blank VHS tapes to get even with the news media and tell your friends to just use their vcr videorecorders

[@robertyglesias9673]

My first VCR was very heavy to lift, these later models were much lighter

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

We still use these.

[@9852323]

Now do 70s and 2010s vcr

[@lakewi44]

I have an Orion VHS player maybe it's from the late 90s I don't know. All I know is that it is still working ever since

[@opiekrumpus4182]

Vcr's are the coolest home tech. ever invented.

[@ACBMemphis]

Yes definitely some of the most complicated hardware technology used in a home. Thanks for watching!

[@harikrishnan680]

Memories 😢😢😢❤❤❤

[@syedshehzad8149]

I need play my old family vhs cassette who was i recorded at LP mode...when i play vhs nearly after 12 years at different vcr but picture who shown at my lcd are black n white with blue green red mixed strip My vcr technician told me that "Urs tapes was recorded in LP mode so just LP MODE VCR play urs vhs perfectly.. I m confused Pls advice that IS IT TRUE..?

[@ACBMemphis]

There are 3 speeds (SP/LP/SLP) in VHS and every VCR I have personally used can play all 3 speeds, but some VCRs can only record in 2 speeds - SP/SLP. Sometimes "SLP" is known as the "EP" speed. (Also note, if you are using Beta tapes and not VHS your friend is correct, this might be a problem with playback.) My suggestion would be to try a different VCR. Another suggestion would be to convert your tape to a digital file so you will be able to play in the future... Thanks for watching!

[@syedshehzad8149]

I have Panasonic NV- P01MK2 I didn't found any sp/lp switch at him

[@superradness]

Geez, I never knew VCRs stretched the tape across the machine. I thought they worked like cassettes.

[@SaturdayMorningAlive]

It sounds like your play belt may be worn. Do you see a video image when it plays for those few seconds?

[@condimentking14]

where can you even find those 80s vcr or bata players I want one just for looks

[@ACBMemphis]

If you were in the Memphis area, you could have both of these! The WAF* on electronics hoarding is very low... * Wife Approval Factor

[@kenw.1112]

I worked on all of these vcrs. Started with Beta max . By Sony. Beta was a great machine despite what VHS did to it causing it to go under. End sensors were magnetic sensors. Vhs used optic end sensors. In the beginning vhs used a filiment bulb to shine through the tape ports on left /rt. Sides to detect. Ends of tape . That lamp would burn out rendering the vcr unusable. Later they incorporated ir. For the end sensors which proved to be 100 % reliable. The end sensors would fail sometimes causing issues with auto stop when rewinding or F. Fwd. The SMPS presented issues too. The electrolytic caps would dry out causing a host of problems.

[@ACBMemphis]

Thanks for watching! The general rumor I always heard was "Beta had better picture and sound" - but I wonder if this was true long term... In other words, would an early 80s Beta machine still beat a 2001 VHS machine in terms of picture/sound quality? VHS definitely got better in terms of sound with the addition of HiFi stereo. Anyway thanks for watching!

[@FoxRivers778]

My first VCR was like the Panasonic. It only recorded 4 hours so it did not have SLP. I don't remember what brand it was. Several companies sold that same machine.

[@ummeali4764]

I am generation y so we used thw 2001..1994 was used by my relatives...is there any special shop for repairing it bcz oir all childhood cassettes will work in vcr...mossing my childhood 🤧😥

[@kungpaopizza2126]

Baby you’re going to fast! (That’s what _she_ said!)

[@SillyGooseWillemstan]

Well this seems kind of unfair because the 2000s VCR is like the cheapest one you could get… I have a Sony VCR from 2001 and it is stylistically similar to that one but it has more features and is built better

[@italovalerio]

Great rescue.

[@alpzepta]

1981 Panasonic VHS player are the coolest

[@joeb2588]

the 80's vcr used here is a little misleading...however, for most of the 80's the machines were built really well. Matsushita made a good amount of them. They were really nice. Early 90's were ok. 2000 on were junk.

[@Donderdrammels]

There is also a lot of difference between early '80 models and late '80 models. In 1980 they were toploaders, pretty heavy and had a lot of rubber parts. Malfunctioning came from wear out of the rubber parts, such as the idler or loading belt. From 1988 they had front loaders, hifi models and used gears like idlers, this was a lot more stable. I think the late '80 models were the most robust, I liked them better than the '90s models who used more cheap material and got less refined and used to many on screen display features. But that is of course personal.

[@joeb2588]

@@Donderdrammels I agree with you.

[@tharii314]

Why they were in water?

[@vintageceilingfans]

Thats a 70s style top loader.. 80s VCRS are different looking..

[@whattheheck1000]

Sadly, I no longer have a VCR. Thought about picking one up because I probably have close to 100 old VHS tapes. I would think an early 1990s model would be the best, balancing features and build quality. I've heard a lot of the late 1990s and newer VCR's are junk. February 26, 2020 1:46 am

[@iammaybeabro4598]

1:06 That Sony is almost as loud as my Goldstar GVR-C435 from 1993!

[@AnOfficialAndrewFloyd]

I'll bet Macrovision doesn't affect how that 1981 VCR records!

[@ACBMemphis]

Yes you're right. It was a special event when my uncle dropped off his VCR and we copied a tape! I would have kept using these things forever if they had HiFi stereo sound...