VCRs: Sony SLNV99 or JVC HR-S5911

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I need to appologize in advance for asking for advice regarding something that seems irrelevant. My old Panasonic VCR mechanism refuses to accept the tape (the tuner still works fine), and because I needed to send some camcorder footage to my relatives in Europe, I went out and bought a new VCR (Sony SLNV77). The shopping was a sad experience - I have confirmed what I found in other postings - that VCRs are built so cheaply today that it is not fun. Although I know about inherent limitations of the VHS format, I am sure that a better built machine must invariable yield better results than the current crop available in mass market stores.
My new machine works well but I just cannot get used to the lack of features I grew to expect in a quality VCR: good, sharp display with seconds (SLNV77 only displays hours and minutes), audio level meter, fine position control, some modest editing features (for consumer deck) etc. Although the Hi-Fi sound is very clean and inoffensive,
it lacks some dynamics and punch (am I crazy to expect that from
a lowly VCR :-) ?). Picture seems decent, with some loss of
detail compensated with lower noise (resulting in a pleasent if
somewhat 'soft' picture).
So my question is: if I return SLNV77 and move up two models to SLVN99, will the difference in price mean better audio and video circuits, or just more useless features (I do know that SLVN99 has a better display with seconds and is overall better build - heavier).
Alternatively, if I go for JVC S-VHS HR-S5911, will the better
quality of electronics needed for S-VHS also show itself on
VHS tapes and the tuner? The VCR itself seems very light and
made of mostly plastic (Sony is metal all around).
Bottom line: will better built Sony VHS VCR be a better choice than a fairly lightweight, but S-VHS JVC? I know that compared to DVD and DSS, they are both lame, but I just cannot leave with a cheap component in my HT rack, even if it is just a VCR :-(.

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Topic - VCRs: Sony SLNV99 or JVC HR-S5911 - dejan 16:38:12 10/12/02 (3)

Go with a super vhs vcr - bilbobaggins 08:41:13 10/15/02 (0)

Re: VCRs: Sony SLNV99 or JVC HR-S5911 - 4season 20:35:38 10/12/02 (1)

Re: VCRs: Sony SLNV99 or JVC HR-S5911 - bruce3825 23:43:43 11/04/02 (0)

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