Quasar VHQ-450 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR
High quality, easy to install
Several years ago we'd purchased TV/VCR combo, based on our past experience with the brand name. Boy, what a mistake. Their quality had apparently gone downhill and we didn't have a clue. In fact, we were so disgusted with having the VCR part repaired every year we decided to buy a regular VCR and hook that up to the combo, instead. <br />This time I consulted Consumer Reports, where I discovered in a pretty recent article that Panasonic and its brand Quasar were among the top brands for not needing repairs. This specific model was rated in the article also, and I was happy to find it here on Amazon at a discount. <br />The VCR was easy to hook up. The instruction manual gives clear directions for many varieties of hook-ups needed (stereo, mono, cable with a box, without a box, etc.) They even give an 800-number to call for help if you need it. But installation was so easy, there was no need.<br />I haven't noticed any noise problem. Unless you are playing a tape at very low volume so as not to disturb someone, you would not hear it running at all. Be prepared when you rewind, though--it sounds like it's going to take off!