It is in my collection of VCR's I've found in second-hand stores. I would use it a lot, but some of my tapes do not stay in HI-FI on this VCR, my primary model is the Sony SLV-N71, the main reason I keep the 679hf around is for backup, and if I am desperate, it's parts are compatible with the N71. Other than the HI-FI problem it works as good as any other Sony I've owned from those second-hand stores, it reminded me of a more simplified SLV-789hf which I accidently short circuited after two hours of owning it, which almost made me cry, I miss having a jog shuttle. It stays in my collection and I mess around with it every once and a while. I guess Sony could have done better with the audio with this model.

Easy to use menue, nice on screen display

Slow rewind, noisy playback, horible recording quality

This VCR is not worth the money, I believed that sony was a big name company with great products, all my japanese friends praise them constantly, I found out that this machine is made in Malaysia and has nothing to do with Sony Japan. you might as well say that they paid for the name and nothign more, Sony America has put out a lot of diapointign products as of late I have gone throught 5 of thier VCRs in the last 6 monthes, sometimes only haveing them for a night before returning them to the store the next day. The onlyplus is the menue system and the on screen display.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic, Quasar, Mitsubishi, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, RCA, Zenith

Video quality, ease of use, well-thought out features

Sound quality

I liked everything about this unit except the sound quality, which was pathetic. The first unit I bought would introduce flutter and garbage into the audio (just the stereo; the mono was fine).

I returned it, and the second unit had sound problems as well. A high-pitched howl would pop up from time to time, and one channel would fade away and return, and this was on quality, commercially recorded tapes that perform flawlessly in my older Hi-Fi units.

So, I was 0 for 2 on this model when I gave up. I really hated returning it, because I liked almost everything else about it. However, I put a lot of importance on the sound quality, and for that reason, my ratings will be low.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic PV9450, other 4-head Hi-Fi units

good picture, easy hookup. I like the automatic time settingon the front. Good stereo sound.

My a/v remote doesn't control it in its entirety. I agree with the other reviews that it is noisey on interchanges but otherwise ok.

This is a good choice for 9 out of 10 people. Hardcore videophiles should look elsewhere. I got mine at Sears for 129. Excellent machine for the price range. Also, its got vcr plus but I haven't gotten it to work with my dss dish.

quick and easy

vidio quality not the best

this player may not have the best vidio quality but is the best for reliabilty my kids have droped it pushed tapes in it and who knows what when i m gone.i just wish the rest of my audio eqipment was that tough.not a bad player for the money.

Similar Products Used:

jvc

4 Head Hi-Fi stereo AND VCR+ for a very very good price

none so far

I must have gotten the cream of the crop. Others who reviewed this unit have said that their VCR buzzes and whirs, and that the video/sound quality has been lacking, but so far I've been completely satisfied. The sound quality is great,and video plays well. Also, the on-screen menus are well designed, and easy to follow (unlike Panasonic VCR's I've had). Also, the fact that Sony included VCR+ on one of their less expensive models impressed me. Perhaps best of all, the unit runs silently and has for several weeks now. After I purchased mine, a friend went out and got the same unit, and had the same positive reaction as me. I purchased mine at Sony Sound Center for $105 after struggling with my Panasonic model from this year. I believe it was a great buy.

Similar Products Used:

Sony VCR's, Panasonic VCR (comparable model)

small unit, easy to set up, auto clock set, automatic tracking

automatic picture control, no LP, remote doesn't control anything else, very poor recording quality for me

I purchased this unit because of the brand name, the fact that it was in my price range and also contained the 19-micron heads.

But the recording quality is just terrible, IMO, from my previous 4-head unit which is 10 years old. I get picture artifacts all the time, edges are distorted and streaked, it's terrible for archiving stuff for saving.

I record off over the air signals, and C-band satellite broadcasts. I'm wondering that if the unit is just bad, or if the heads are too good for the signal material which just wouldn't get picked up by the older models.

Right now, however, I'm not real happy with it.

Except, it plays excellent VHS tapes from rentals.

Similar Products Used:

Quasar VH640S (about 10years old) 4-head

Compact design, nice remote, decent picture

NOISY AS HELL!!!! BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!

I thought a Sony VCR would be a good choice. A friend has a 6 year old one in his home theater set up and it's great. I got this one and the motor buzzes and whirrrrrrs so loud it distracts from watching the movie unless you really crank the volume. If I throw a coat over it it's fine though. I wish I read these reviews before I bought it. I'm exchanging it today, probably for a hitachi unit. If it was behind a glass door in a tv stand the noise might be muffled, but standing in the open it's really intolerable.

Similar Products Used:

Older Sony VCR, Philips vcr

The SLV-679HF is a simple vcr that's easy to use, displays a nice picture, provides good sound and is only $150.

This is not really a weakness, however, a suggested improvement could be the placement of video ports on the front of the unit (for gaming).

For the $150 I paid for it at Circuit City, this unit is well worth it. It does everything it's set out to do well. The picture quality is good, the sound is good and is easy to use. I would recommend this unit to most people. Audiophiles should look at higher-end models.

Similar Products Used:

Older Sony model.

Great picture, remote design

Lack of LP speed, recording (see below)

Simply the best VCR buy I've had yet. I bought this one at our Sony Outlet at Rockvale Square for $115 and it hasn't been anything but spectacular. For the money, the picture sound are great...a vast improvement over the RCA 1988 model that I had previously owned! The only problems I have experienced with this VCR is that when I want to record something and hit the record button on the VCR, it takes about 15 seconds to start recording and that there is no LP speed on the VCR, which I miss. Also, the motor is a bit noisy. Other than those, this VCR is highly recommended to anyone who needs a low cost VCR that performs!