Picture quality, Color, Contrast, Sound.

Plastic construction!

This VCR is superb! I've just sold my Sony SLV-R1000 after 3 years of using. The Sony was a good VCR but its reliability is not so great. The SLV-R1000 has a problem when record in extended mode using 160 min tape. The problem is that sometimes you will see the picture jerks briefly. This annoyed me a lot since my old cheap Panasonic VCR which I've been using for 5 years could record rock solid picture with no jitters on that same tape(brand new tape). Moreover, I've been using that Panasonic VCR(PV-4569) as a tape rewinder. So, I sold the "top of the line" Sony and bought this Panasonic PV-S7680. My lord, as soon as I plug it in and play some tapes, I immeadiately see the difference. It is the color. This Panasonic VCR gives so vibrant, deep color and contrast, which the Sony SLV-R1000 could never brought out! The color on Sony is somewhat too light, and washed out. Sharpness is about the same for both Sony and Panasonic. Old Sony VCRs are great, but new ones are junks! My old Sony SLV-900 are still running good, but having the same problem with SLV-R1000 when record in extended mode. So, I just use the Sony as a playing deck and the PV-S7680 as a recording deck.

Another nice thing about this Panasonic is that it has dynAmorphous and Flying Erase Head, which are another two things that encouraged me to buy this VCR. I was also considering JVC 9600 for its features, but after seeing some reviews about its reliability and compatibility (tapes that look good on JVC, look like craps on other VCRs and vice versa) I have changed my mind. Moreover, I've seen my friend's JVC 4500's performance. Its picture quality is not so great and sort of a step below Sony(i'm talking recording). Reliability is probably worse than Sony.

The only thing that I don't like about this Panasonic is its built. It has too many plastic parts. Especially, the front hinged door, which looked very fragile so you would have to be careful with it. However, my old Panasonic also feels the same but it lasts like a tank. So, I have no doubt about Panasonic's reliability. Moreover, it is made in "Japan" yall!

Yes, I have recorded some tapes on this VCR using 160 tapes in extended mode, and they looked great; rock solidly stable. When recorded in SP using 120 standard grade Maxell, my friend had to exclaim: "My gosh, it looks better than original." Time will tell if this VCR will run into the same problem I had with the Sony SLV-R1000. I strongly trust Panasonic since all the Panasonic things I bought are still working well, and almost all the Sony stuffs I bought are either going to hell or have already gone!

Similar Products Used:

Sony SLV-R1000, Sony SLV-900, PV-4569, Quasar VHQ660