What's the best VCR I can buy to play old tapes so they don't get "eaten"?

Question

I have some old tapes I want to watch that aren't out on dvd, but every VCR I buy seems to rip apart anything pre-1993 recorded. (maybe I think the newer ones may rewind them too fast?) Maybe I just have bad luck, but the great thing about y! answers is that I know there's someone out there who knows more then I do on this and may have some insight.

btw, thanks for the help in advance. will give 10 points to the person whose choice I go with.

Answer 1

Your best option might be to buy a used mid-market or high end VCR from the late 1990s or earlier. Almost all VCRs manufactured during the DVD era are built down to a price, and are not as good as the models available 10+ years ago.

A Panasonic or JVC VCR from circa 1994-1998 ought to be good, especially the S-VHS models. I have found these brands to be very good with older tapes (mid-1980s). Sony VCRs might be OK too, but I have never really used them; also Toshiba. Remember, only get a middle or high end VCR from these brands, NOT one of the models that sold cheaply back then.

Other big names from that era (Hitachi, LG/Goldstar, Akai, Philips/Magnavox, Samsung, etc.) are likely to be less good, and under NO circumstances should you use a non brand name VCR unless you're playing tapes you can afford to lose.

Another advantage of buying something like a Panasonic or a JVC is that spare parts are likely to be more readily available, so you can keep your VCR going for many years into the future.