Panasonic PV-V4522 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR
Randomly stops during play, poor warranty
This product is so cheaply made. It broke down within 6 months, randomly stops and it is getting worse. Right now, it is almost impossible to play a movie since it stops every 2 minutes or so. The warranty is only good for 90 days, after that, labor is not covered. I gave the authorized service center a call and was told that for this type of issue, the labor charge would at least be $60-70. Ask yourself, who would pay $60-70 (at least) while you can buy a new VCR with that amount.<BR>    So being an electrical engineer and a handyman in general, I tried to give the repair a shot myself. After a simple diagnosis, one of the plastic gear components that uses friction to drive the rotation was slipping and causing the tape to stop. It is almost built to break-down overtime, since it relies on the friction between 2 plastic plates to drive the gear. Cheap cheap cheap.<BR>    I gave the panasonic warranty center another call, hope they can give me the part needed so that I can fix it myself. This time, I was told that the parts are NOT COVERED unless I go through an authorized repair center (which I have to pay the $60-70 dollars minimum). Poor poor poor warranty service.<BR>    So don't be blinded with the panasonic \\"good name\\", their newer VCRs are very cheaply made. And their warranty is next to zero after 90 days.