Sony SLV-688HF 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR
A true workhorse in a dying breed
It is hard to believe just how cheap stereo VCR's are getting, only a few years ago you couldn't find one for less then $250 and now they are starting at under $150.  In the past I have had the oppertunity to use several differant brands of VCR's and have had nothing but trouble.  I have  had a Panasonic VCR that in less than a year went into the repair shop  twice because a tape had gotten stuck in the unit.  I've had a Magnavox VCR  that didn't even last a year and a half. I've also used a Toshiba, and  another Panasonic unit at my former work, and I must say that they were two  of the most tempermental video units that I've ever used. This Sony unit  (that I just got) is similar to my other Sony (SLV-675HF) that is almost 3  years old now.  In the three years that I've had my Sony VCR, I have never  had a problem with it.  It is easy to use, program, and if you can't set  the clock you must be stupid.  The picture has always been great (for VHS,  I prefer the quality of DVD), and it records like a champ.  The remote is  one of the best I've used, the only thing that would make it better is  backlighting (but that's just nitpicking).  If you need a new VCR, buy a  SONY.  In a weird side story, both my sister and I bought new VCR's the  same week.  She got a more expensive Hitachi, and I got my beloved Sony,  and of the two units the Sony is the better performer.