Cheap Panasonic PV-V4640 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR (Electronics) Price

Although a bit lighter than some VCRs, there's nothing flimsy about the PV-V4640's compact, rugged chassis. Hook-up was standard, with an RF connection to the cable source and another out to the television (one RF cable is included). Sound and picture can also be delivered via composite video and a pair of RCA audio cables. You'll find two sets of similar AV inputs, one each front and back.

Automatic clock and channel settings required a few minutes with the manual. Because the PV- V4640 offers an array of features, any given key on the remote control can be used in a variety of ways, depending upon which function you've accessed. Therefore, we recommend keeping those instructions handy.

The remote is backlit and easy to operate in the dark. The VCR Plus+ Gold edition configured easily with the entry of our zip code, and provided control of the cable box, too.

Panasonic has seen fit to include all three recording speeds: the familiar SP and SLP (or "EP") as well as LP, that wonderful quality/capacity compromise (good for four hours on a T-120 tape), which we don't see very often these days. The picture is fine at every speed, but forward and reverse scanning is truly outstanding, with only minimal distortion even in SLP. The stereo sound is also clean and powerful in all modes, with dbx-TV Noise Reduction to optimize multichannel television sound (a.k.a. MTS stereo).

It's the long list of sophisticated features, however, that sets the PV-V4640 apart from the pack. The time stamp feature adds program data (time, date, channel, and, in some cases, title) that appears for the first 10 seconds of playback. An optional tape position icon clearly illustrates on a horizontal bar what portion of a tape remains at any given time. When the commercial advance feature is chosen, the VCR marks the beginning and end of commercial blocks and automatically fast- forwards through them. (Keep in mind, this is not yet an exact science, but we could easily rewind when the advance skipped a little too far ahead.)

Movie advance, meanwhile, allowed us to jump directly to the beginning of a movie on a prerecorded (rented or purchased) videocassette, past the plethora of annoying previews on many tapes. Or you can go directly to those previews you actually want to watch.

An elaborate search system works around invisible index marks put at the end of each recording you make. Using the remote control, you can go directly to the end of one recorded program to either view the next show from the beginning or to tape something new. Or, with repeat play, you can watch the same program repeatedly. Zero search further enables you to return to any spot on a tape you designate, just by resetting the display counter to "0:00:00."

If you want more functions than you'll typically find with an affordable hi-fi VHS deck, and you're not afraid to read the manual to understand them all, this VCR will offer the serious user rich rewards at a fair price.

Pros:

• Three recording speeds for maximum versatility
• Wide array of advanced playback and search options
• Illuminated "light tower" standup universal remote control with shuttle knob is easy to find and easy to use
• Variety of onscreen information provides helpful tape and program information

Cons:

• Intricate instructions make setup and operation a bit of a challenge
• Jog/shuttle "style" buttons on front panel are no substitute for the real thing
• Additional in-box cabling would simplify integration into existing setups