How to Buy a VCR

By eHow Electronics Editor

Rate: (3 Ratings)

Have you shopped for a VCR lately? Models that are comparable to units that cost hundreds of dollars a few years ago now are available for as little as $50. Maybe you don't have to replace all of those VHS movies with DVDs right away after all.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Connectors

Step1

Check the connections on your television set or home theater receiver. You'll want a VCR with the best possible connectors--in descending order of quality, they're S-Video, composite-video and antenna/cable inputs.

Step2

Choose a VCR with S-VHS (super VHS), high-fidelity MTS stereo audio, and 4 or 6 heads for best recording and playback.

Step3

Pick a model with audio-video connectors on the front panel if you plan to transfer movies from a video camcorder to tape.

Step4

Expect a raft of standard features. Even on low-priced models you should find auto clock set, commercial skip, fast rewind speed and VCR+ (for easy programming).

What to Look For:

S-VHS
Fout or Six heads
Audio-video connectors in front
Auto clock set
Commercial skip
Fast rewind
VCR+

Tips & Warnings

Avoid combo VCR/DVDs unless you don't have room for both. You get more for your money with stand-alone components, and one invariably breaks before the other.