JVC HRS3901U 4-Head S-VHS VCR, Black
This is a fantastic sub-$150 S-VHS player
Update:  This is a fantastic sub-$150 S-VHS player, February 20, 2005    My VCR is still working. I am still very happy with it. I'm not sure why others are giving it only 1 star. Perhaps they should consider reading the manual? If they were still manufactured, I would buy a 2nd one to connect to my computer. In fact, I think I'll take a look at the JVC line to see what has replaced it.    For what I paid for this VHS, I can't imagine what complaints anyone would have. The picture quality is outstanding. Who cares about the construction of the case and buttons at this price? Obviously some people do...    Original review:  This is a fantastic sub-$150 S-VHS player, October 11, 2002    After reading the other reviews, I almost didn't buy this unit. Yes, the case is an all plastic construction. Yes, some of the buttons have a cheap feel. Make no mistake about it, this machine was built to be sold at the lowest possible price point. If you go to the JVC web site you will see that the HRS3901U is at the bottom of their line up. It does not have the same quality construction that a $400 S-VHS has. It it does have however, many of the same features as JVC's higher priced units. Plastic case and buttons aside, the picture is very good.    Construction aside, the HRS3901U is full-featured. There is a sufficient number of inputs. The picture quality is VERY good for a budget S-VHS. Likewise, the sound quality is good. Signal quality is likewise very good. Unlike my last budget VHS (Toshiba), I have not heard a squeak out of it yet. I doubt that there is a better machine at a similar price.     I was not looking to invest a lot of money into a fading technology. I do not need a machine that will last me the next 10 years. I just need a VCR that will work until the price of digital recorders come down. When the time comes, I will simply transfer my VHS to DVD (Fair Use).     The bottom line? I could have spent more money  for a better constructed box. But why bother? The HRS3901U gets the job done and it does it well. This is a great machine FOR THE MONEY. The picture quality is very good, even with composite connections.    If you want top of the line, then pay for a top of the line unit. At its price point, the HRS3901U is a well balanced machine. Cheap outside, quality inside. Five stars for the good picture quality and features despite the budget price.