Customer Reviews

Panasonic PV-V4521 4-Head Hi-Fi Stereo VCR

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've owned several different Panasonic Video Cassette Recorders over the years, and I've been pleased with the quality of all of them. This unit, like all the other Panasonic VCRs I've had, includes a feature that I believe is exclusive to Panasonic units [I've never seen it on other brands], and one I like a lot: the SAP/Hi-Fi button! This feature allows you to toggle between the Hi-Fi settings and mono, without having to use the tracking buttons. I find this most useful, to check the quality of a particular tape's hi-fi soundtrack vs. the mono sound on the tape.

Another thing I like about Panasonic machines is actually the LACK of a particular feature. And that is: "Auto Tracking". (NOTE -- The technical data for this unit *does* state that "Auto Tracking" is included on this machine. However, it must be a slightly different variation of auto-tracking than other brands possess; because this unit doesn't drive me up the wall.)

I don't know about you other video-philes out there, but I can't stand the auto-tracking feature on some of today's VCR recorders! I recently purchased another brand of VCR that had auto-tracking, and found myself making a very quick return to the store for a refund! The auto-tracking is probably OK with some (or most) pre-recorded videos that you might buy. But as for my experience with tapes I've recorded myself (on different machines), the auto-tracking was extremely aggravating at best! It never would "center" the audio track properly, and I'd end up listening to the sizzle of a slightly off-center sound track on every tape! And manually adjusting the tracking didn't help either, because "auto tracking" would take over again in about 1 minute, and adjust it improperly again!! Made me shout: "Give me my Panasonic back!" So I did get another Panasonic. No funky auto-tracking. It's just not needed, especially for your homemade tapes in SLP/EP mode. Much better to manually do the tracking yourself, if needed.

So, overall, I'm very happy with Panasonic products. One fairly small complaint about this unit would be that it's too noisy during playback. The machine many times makes a groaning (or whining) type of noise. This can, at times, be quite annoying. However, it doesn't seem to do it all the time. And only on playback of tapes recorded in SP mode (EP playback is quiet, at least on my machine). And during recording mode, these noises are not evident either. Just playing back. Kind of curious. But not enough of a drawback to keep me from purchasing Panasonic machines in the future.

BTW...If you're interested, my Panasonic VCR previous to this one [which unfortunately died of old age after several years of excellent operation; no machine is going to last forever] also had this strange "groan" to it during playback. But, after several months, it just suddenly stopped making these noises altogether, for some unknown reason! Hopefully, this current unit will follow along those lines!

After checking out Panasonic's PV-V4621 4-Head Hi-Fi Stereo VCR, I decided to check out this unit and see what the differences were besides the price. This has a black chassis while the other is silver that was obvious. More importantly, the PV-V4621 comes with an Auto Head Cleaner, Jog-Shuttle Dial and has High-speed rewind. Image and sound are identical. If only image and sound were important to me I would go with this unit. However, the Auto Head Cleaner is an important feature if you do a lot of recording. The High-speed rewind is a nice feature if you are rather impatient like I tend to be. Either machine is excellent! It is just a matter of what your needs are.

Great Vcr.. Bought one from the customer reviews on amazon.. Excellent. The timer function isn't hard at all we figured it out without looking in the manual to record tv shows. We had a toshiba vcr which was lousy.. Wanted to get a real VCR that works and this one is excellent. The only problem with this vcr is the rewind function is noisy.. Besides that a good buy!..

Easy to connect and the stereo sound is great! The picture is clear, too. Slow motion and still are very, very clear. You can even record SAP if you speak Spanish and the TV show you're watching supports it. The only problem I've found is that sometimes, with older tapes, when you record a show you may get a little crackling in the sound. I suspect this is because the VCR's HI-FI sound is very sensitive. If you use a good brand of tape, like TDK and Maxell, you can limit this problem. Definately worth the money, especially for a stereo VCR.

Programming the timer record function for this model is somewhat time consuming and a little tedious. Operates very quietly in play mode but in rewind mode you could wake the neighbors! Has very good picture quality even when recorded in the SLP mode. You could spend more money and get considerably less machine for it, so all in all, a good buy with some moderate inconveniences.

I haven't had this VCR very long but I really, really like it. The only "problem" is the rewinding is a little on the noisy side but I couldn't care less. Tapes play fine and I am real impressed with the amount of on screen options this thing has for the money. I also like the easy to read front display. I would recommend this VCR to anyone just looking for a basic VCR.

I found this vcr so easy to install and set up for all the functions I needed. I loved the automatic clockset and being able to time record as well as using the VCR plus. Universal remote makes operating tv and vcr so easy.

Within 2 weeks of purchase, this VCR began to 'reject' tapes it didn't like. I thought at first it was because the tapes were old or of poor quality, so I threw a lot of them away and bought new, higher-quality tapes. But then it began to happen with brand new tapes. I'd put the tape in, it'd spit them right back out. Now, after a year, EVERY tape I put in gets ejected at least 4 or 5 times before it will play. Many won't play at all. I'd give this unit less stars, but it does do very well if I can ever get the...tape in to begin with!

I found this machine to be very noisy when rewinding and forwarding. Its such a pity because overall this vcr is really good. Unless you don't mind the noisy winding, its a good purchase.

I bought this VCR in January because of the price. The first movie I watched was "Castaway" and I heard this noise in the background that sounded like a "didgeridoo," you know that Australian instrument you blow into. I thought it was the background music from the movie, but later as I watched the next movie the noise was still there. And every movie I have ever watched on this VCR had this noise. I should have returned this thing as soon as I figured out the noise was coming from the VCR. It is now May and the piece of junk just ate a tape I rented from Blockbuster. After I get the tape out of this thing, I'm throwing it out my window.

My other impressions of this VCR:
1. The noisiest Rewind and Fast Forward I have ever heard!!! Don't even try to listen to a tv show while rewinding a tape.
2. If the power should go out or you unplug the thing for more than a few seconds you have to reprogram all the channels (I mean for when you want to use the channel up/down button on the remote)
3. The jack where you plug in your cable or antenna is in such a spot that if you have to screw it on, rather than just push it on, it is near impossible, not to mention painful!!! My fingers still hurt from unscrewing my cable.
4. The piece of junk only lasted 5 months. Yes, I do rent at least one video from Blockbuster a week, but still the piece of junk should last longer than 5 months.
5. I am sure there are many other problems with this VCR, I am just too mad to think of them at the moment.

I am very glad this thing finally broke; after those 5 long agonizing months of listening to the "didgeridoo" background music of every tape I watched on it. PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!!!