Philips VR621CAT 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR

Other products by Philips

Product Details

Product Manual [855kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AY8C
• Item model number: VR621CAT
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,878 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
From the company that excels in television manufacturing, a device to simplify your TV viewing. The VR621CAT from Philips offers all the convenience of VHS recording and playback--a great way to time shift your TV viewing and share your camcorder footage with loved ones, and the only way to enjoy your extensive library of videocassettes. Your camcorder or gaming console plugs right into the VR621CAT's front panel for hassle-free hookups.

This model's 4-head design ensures smooth slow-motion play (forward and reverse) and clear still-frame images. Hi-fi sound gives the unit the ability to record and play stereo audio tracks. If you route its stereo output to an AV receiver, you can even enjoy 4-channel (left, center, right, and monaural surround) Dolby Pro Logic mixes from TV and Dolby-encoded cassettes.

You can schedule ahead using the recorder's 1-year, 8-event programming, and the unit weighs a mere 5.5 pounds--perfect for quick moves from the recreation room to the bedroom or living room when needed. Features like a bilingual (English, Spanish) onscreen display, auto power off, auto digital tracking, auto rewind, auto eject, and the ever-handy auto clock set greatly simplify setup and operation.

The deck's dual-azimuth construction uses 2 pairs of recording heads rather than 1, each optimized for a specific mode (one for SP recording, the other for EP), while its 19-micron heads deliver the clearest possible picture when recording or viewing in EP (extended-play) mode.

When tape playback begins, digital auto tracking automatically seeks the optimum tracking position in the tracking range, and the optimum audio-signal tracking position for the clearest picture and sound. Buttons on the remote transmitter give you manual control should tracking adjustments be necessary.

SmartClock with time zone select is a menu-driven feature that maintains the correct time, regularly checking and updating the time if necessary. It also resets the clock after a power failure. The menu-driven time-zone feature allows selection of appropriate time for those who live in a time zone other than that of their cable service provider or broadcaster.

With one-touch record you can record up to 8 hours of programming--or to the end of the tape--at the touch of a single button. Each touch of the OTR button adds 30 minutes of additional recording time. Program by remote control for unattended recording with onscreen visual verification. Onscreen menus lead you through normal, daily, or weekly programming by program number, channel to be recorded, start and stop times, speed, and date of recording by day, month, and year.

Finally, the supplied multifunction infrared remote control commands all operating features and functions of this VCR, plus select functions of most Philips, Magnavox, and select other brands of television sets, as well as some cable converter/decoders and the standard features of Philips, Magnavox, RCA, and Sony digital broadcast satellite receivers.

What's in the Box
VCR, remote control, remote batteries, an RF coaxial video cable, warranty information, and a user's manual.

Product Description
Record stereo videotapes from stereo sound sources and playback pre-recorded hi-fi stereo tapes in hi-fi stereo sound using two audio heads and four video heads. Delivers an excellent 90dB+ dynamic range - through a stereoequipped TV or regular TV and stereo hi-fi home audio system. The built-in MTS/SAP decoder allows reception and recording of off-air television stereo broadcasts and second audio program transmissions, where available. Back-up memory logic retains the cable channel guide map indefinitely even during a power failure or when the VCR is disconnected from its power source.Record up to 8 hours or to the end of the tape with the touch of a single button. Each touch of the OTR button adds 30 minutes of additional recording time.Program your VCR for unattended recording of up to 8 separate programs over a full 365-day period. No manual setting, adjusting, or programming of the calendar function is required.Program by remote control for unattended recording, with programming instructions onscreen for visual verification. Onscreen menus lead you through normal, daily, or weekly programming by program number, channel to be recorded, start and stop times, speed, and date of recording by day, month, and year. Pressing the clear button lets you go back and reprogram over mistakes, and pressing the menu button at the end of programming verifies that instructions are locked into memory.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buying this VCR was a mistake, February 23, 2002

By	Brian M Stancil (BATON ROUGE, LA USA) - See all my reviews

I purchase this item on the basis of high reviews posted. After using it I think it was vastly over-rated. The programming interface is pathetic. Takes about 10 steps to schedule or delete an item to record. You can display what you have programmed only by viewing one item at a time. You cannot edit an item programmed -- have to delelte it entirely.

Recording on one channel while watching another channel is a mess.

My Mitsubishi was far superior in this regard.

1.0 out of 5 stars Piece of garbage, August 2, 2006

By	Noah Philip Vernau - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The whole reason I got this VCR was so that I could record my satelite dish programming onto it. Sure, it is possible to do it, but you have to hit record yourself. There is no way to program the VCR to "A/V Front" - - it only allows you to program to A/V Rear and channels 2-69. What a screw up that was. The reason I can't record it on A/V rear is because I have the television set hooked up through there. I need to be able to record onto A/V front and the only way I can do that is if I physically hit record while it's on A/V Front. This sucks because I wanted to record things while I was working.

GARBAGE - - as usual from Philips.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Hi-Fi VHS VCR At A Great Price!, October 2, 2002

By A Customer

I just got this and connected it to my Philips real flat screen dbx hi-fi stereo TV with P.I.P.(32PT81S) using only A/V cables. I put in a video immediately. It has an excellent picture! And it is very easy to use.

Its menu can either be set in English or Spanish. It has a 1-year/8-event program timer. Its clock can either be set manually or programmed to set automatically through a PBS station's signals. I have DirecTV. So, I set the clock manually. I found it can not be set automatically through DirecTV like it can either with cable or an antenna. And I have its D.S.T.(Daylight Savings Time) activated. That way, its clock will automatically go back an hour in the fall and forward in the spring.

I also like its auto tracking, instead of having to manually adjust that. Plus, in addition to its excellent picture, it has an excellent hi-fi stereo sound. And I like to be able to play it either in regular speed or slow.

It does not have VCR Plus like prior hi-fi stereo VHS VCR's I have owned. But with DirecTV, I do not need that feature.

I also like its various automatic timer adjustments for recording shows, movies or sports events. And I do not have to be home or have my TV turned on to record. As long as I have the right station tuned in and have the timer set to record, it does the rest.

As easy as it is to use and set up, as well as its excellent Philips Magnavox quality and features, not to mention its low price, I highly recommend this hi-fi VCR to everyone!