Sony SLV-N51 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR
headache from the start
I bought this VCR because it's basically a cheaper version of the Sony N71, but with fewer features. It was easy to set up, and records a nice clear picture in EP, which was the most important feature to me. HOWEVER, I had problems from the moment I unpacked it. It makes an unpleasant plastic-on-plastic squeak whenever I record or play, loud enough to notice during quiet parts of whatever I'm watching. And some tapes that I've recorded on this VCR do not play well on other VCRs, which makes it unreliable for sharing tapes with friends or making permanent recordings of movies. Getting Sony to service the unit requires mailing it in at my own expense, another big hassle. DON'T BUY THIS VCR!