Video Asylum

Posted by John C. - Aussie (B) on December 06, 2001 at 13:31:02

In Reply to: Re: new video investment questions-advice requested... posted by GaryM on December 06, 2001 at 08:13:27:

A warning about videorecorders. Of all the components in this home (and that is too many), the videorecorders are the ones that visit the audio clinic the most often. This is not surprising considering their complexity and the number of moving (and wearing) parts to say nothing of the audio & video electronics.

Also the tuners can vary a lot in their ability to give a good picture - noticable on smaller than 27" TVs. I've tried a number of brands but have zeroed in on National/Panasonic as the best both for reliability and picture quality. We do a lot of time shifting videotaping here and project on to a 112 inch screen. If the transmitted signal is good then our tapings can look as good, if not better than some of the direct broadcasts.

You claim not to be a videophile but you do not have to be very discriminating to be able to detect a good picture from a fuzzy one.

So, bottom line, choose carefully. That "cheap" videorecorder could cost a lot if it is unreliable.

Good hunting

John