Sony SLV-N81 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR

• 4-head hi-fi VCR with plug-and-play setup
• Connects with cable box/DIRECTV through cable mouse for simplified timer programming
• Commercial skip, digital autotracking adjustment, and parental lock
• Front and rear composite inputs, 1 set of composite outputs, and coaxial and S-link connectors
• Hi-fi stereo recording and MTS stereo broadcast reception

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.

Buy Sony SLV-N81 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR Now

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.

Read Best Reviews of Sony SLV-N81 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR Here

Prior to purchasing this particular VCR a couple years ago I'd only ever purchased JVC VCR's. As a matter of fact, at that time I'd been pretty heavily into JVC products but through word of mouth and some exploration at the stores, that was about to quickly change; this was but the first of several Sony electronics purchases that have all proven to be quite well made through years of enjoyable usage.

One of the most important features in a VCR is the quality of the image and sound in playback mode and I've found the playback quality on this Sony VCR to be outstanding with "near" DVD quality in image and the Hi-Fi sound is as good as can be expected from a VCR. Another extremely important aspect in a VCR is the quality of its recordings and this particular VCR records nearly flawless images, making the viewing experience of recordings that much better!

One feature that is highly important to most people is ease in programmability and it really couldn't be any easier with this VCR especially given for the automatic presetting on the clock and TV channels that is fed from your cable company. In just a few short steps, you can program this VCR to tape all your favorite shows, hit the power button and it's ready to do its job when the time comes. Also, for recording your favorite shows, this Sony VCR comes with the VCR Gold Plus+® System; making recording that much easier, providing you have your local cable listing. Should you desire to run this VCR through your cable box, it easily sets up in that manner and works perfectly as well.

Overall, I highly recommend this or any other of the line of outstanding Sony VCR's as this was my first of two Sony VCR's and in the future, should I need another; I won't even look at another brand! {ssintrepid}

Want Sony SLV-N81 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR Discount?

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 $). 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 something 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.

I HAVE THIS VCR AT HOME AND I LIKE IT . OF COURSE MULTISYSYTEM VCR's IS BETTER