Rating: 
Summary: Great picture, Pain to program
Review: I bought this because the N71 (its twin) was rated so highly in Consumer Reports, and this one happened to be a better deal at the time. I have been very pleased with the picture and sound quality of pre-recorded tapes and things I tape from TV. However, since my local TV guide does not show the VCR+ coding, I set up my programming with the remote, and it is SO FRUSTRATING. You can't just enter the time you want a recording session to stop and start using the numeric pad; instead you have to use the up and down arrows, which start from whatever time of day it is when you are programming (the stop time you have to go forward from the start time, which is not as bad, but still annoying to go through all those minutes for a half hour show). Additionally, the "OK" button when programming actually does not "enter" or confirm your programming information, but ERASES it. And since this button is the largest one, centered between the others, I have hit it several times by accident. Another annoyance I've had is that I can't just enter the channel number I want to record from, but have to select the stations call letters, again by using up and down arrows in a list. If you're programming with codes, then this is probably a terrific VCR, but for those of us stuck programming the old-fashioned way it's more frustration than fantastic.
Rating: 
Summary: Replaces an old, loved and trusted VCR
Review: I chose this VCR based on a review in "Consumer Reports" (December 2001 issue) and the fact that it had a cable/satellite control mouse. All cable channels are scrambled in NY City so if one wants to tape different channels consecutively when not at home, a control device is required. Unfortunately the mouse had to be ordered separately. BUT it works! Likes:
-Easy set-up.
-Picks up the time from broadcast signal.
-The commercial pass is a nice feature.
-And, of course, the cable/satellite control mouse Dislikes:
-No mute button on the remote.
-I don't like the fact that you have to press the TV/Video button before Menu.
-It has Index search, but with my old VCR one could search for 2+ programs back or forward. This only allows one at a time.
-I also don't like the "counter/remain". Remain is fine, but I don't understand the counter. My old VCR showed hours taped and hours remaining on the tape.
Rating:
Summary: Replaces an old, loved and trusted VCR
Review: I chose this VCR based on a review in "Consumer Reports" (December 2001 issue) and the fact that it had a cable/satellite control mouse. All cable channels are scrambled in NY City so if one wants to tape different channels consecutively when not at home, a control device is required. Unfortunately the mouse had to be ordered separately. BUT it works! Likes:
-Easy set-up.
-Picks up the time from broadcast signal.
-The commercial pass is a nice feature.
-And, of course, the cable/satellite control mouse Dislikes:
-No mute button on the remote.
-I don't like the fact that you have to press the TV/Video button before Menu.
-It has Index search, but with my old VCR one could search for 2+ programs back or forward. This only allows one at a time.
-I also don't like the "counter/remain". Remain is fine, but I don't understand the counter. My old VCR showed hours taped and hours remaining on the tape.
Rating: 
Summary: Completely seizes up.
Review: I HAVE THIS VCR AT HOME AND I LIKE IT . OF COURSE MULTISYSYTEM VCR's IS BETTER
Rating: 
Summary: The best VCR
Review: I HAVE THIS VCR AT HOME AND I LIKE IT . OF COURSE MULTISYSYTEM VCR's IS BETTER
Rating:
Summary: Sony isn't what they used to be.
Review: I liked this VCR until I had to get it fixed. It was a minor thing, though, so I wasn't worried. I was, though, ticked off when I was told (essentially) "Buy a new VCR!! We don't want to fix it!! It's too much of a hassle, and it just costs too much!!!" I found this odd. Especially since the VCR was (at that point) barely a couple of months old, and was under a warranty. I almost had to drag them kicking & screaming into their repair shop just to get them to do what they were supposed to. In the end, it didn't even cost me anything ... except my loyalty to their company. This sort of thing occurred anytime I went to down to Sony's repair shop. In short, it was all part of a strategy to "convince" people to ditch VCR's and go for their new (and more expensive) DVD recorders. I guess they figured that'd happen if they made it a pain in the butt for people like me just to get a simple adjustment made on a brand new VCR ... which I find totally disgusting. This VCR was the most expensive that Sony had for sale at the time (I paid around $150). Unfortunately, all the high tech stuff that I was used to seeing in their VCR's was nowhere to be found. There were two features, though, that made it stand out from the rest: 1) A wheel/knob thingy on the front that allows you to set the time & set programmed recording events without having to turn the TV on. 2) Adaptive Picture Control (APC): It allows the VCR to customize recordings to each video tape, allowing great quality. Unfortunately, though, the 2nd feature has been taken out of Sony VCR's since then, so the picture quality isn't that great anymore. Of course, they could've come up with something else. But if they have, I haven't heard about it. And even if they did, big deal. If they're going to do everything they can not to fix your VCR, and force you to buy a new one the minute somethign goes wrong, what's the point in buying a Sony VCR? The next time you're in the market for a VCR, I'd go for a TiVo. Or a DVD recorder. Or both. And if you really have to get a VCR, don't get a Sony. You don't need the hassle.
Rating:
Summary: Sony isn't what they used to be.
Review: I liked this VCR until I had to get it fixed. It was a minor thing, though, so I wasn't worried. I was, though, ticked off when I was told (essentially) "Buy a new VCR!! We don't want to fix it!! It's too much of a hassle, and it just costs too much!!!" I found this odd. Especially since the VCR was (at that point) barely a couple of months old, and was under a warranty. I almost had to drag them kicking & screaming into their repair shop just to get them to do what they were supposed to. In the end, it didn't even cost me anything ... except my loyalty to their company. This sort of thing occurred anytime I wento down to Sony's repair shop. In short, it was all part of a strategy to "convince" people to ditch VCR's and go for their new (and more expensive) DVD recorders. I guess they figured that'd happen if they made it a pain in the butt for people like me just to get a simple adjustment made on a brand new VCR ... which I find totally disgusting. This VCR was the most expensive that Sony had for sale at the time (I paid around $150). Unfortunately, all the high tech stuff that I was used to seeing in their VCR's was nowhere to be found. There were two features, though, that made it stand out from the rest: 1) A wheel/knob thingy on the front that allows you to set the time & set programmed recording events without having to turn the TV on. 2) Adaptive Picture Control (APC): It allows the VCR to customize recordings to each video tape, allowing great quality. Unfortunately, though, the 2nd feature has been taken out of Sony VCR's since then, so the picture quality isn't that great anymore. Of course, they could've come up with something else. But if they have, I haven't heard about it. And even if they did, big deal. If they're going to do everything they can not to fix your VCR, and force you to buy a new one the minute somethign goes wrong, what's the point in buying a Sony VCR? The next time you're in the market for a VCR, I'd go for a TiVo. Or a DVD recorder. Or both. And if you really have to get a VCR, don't get a Sony. You don't need the hassle.
Rating:
Summary: Goodbye Panasonic. Hello Sony.
Review: I've only had Panasonic VCRs in the past, but had to take back two bogus (poorly designed and produced) models in the past year, so I did the research and tried this unit. It's awesome, with easy, logical programming and the finest picture available from material it records itself. The EP picture is surprisingly clear and noise free, and there's no comparison between the quality video of this unit compared with the dull, lifeless and grainy recordings and playbacks of Panasonic units.
Rating:
Summary: Completely seizes up.
Review: Maybe I just got a lemon, but after only two months we've had nothing but problems. At least once a day when trying to put a tape in, it refuses to take it and then the entire machine seizes up - it won't even turn off or on. The only thing to do is unplug it and then turn it back on. Today I had to send it in for a warranty repair when after unplugging it, it still wouldn't do anything. This is in addition to it suddenly stopping while it's recording. Set it up to record, come home and find it quit after 10 or 15 minutes. Junk!
Rating:
Summary: avoid this sony!!!!!
Review: OK, I did my homework. Researched many vcrs before deciding on this one. Went out and bought it. Brought it home and hooked it up...and guess what?? It won't record!!If you have cable or satellite you need a "cable mouse". ....I don't have scrambled channels and don't need the cable mouse yet this vcr will not work w/o the cable mouse. So I took it back and bought a totally different brand, that I am very satisfied with.
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