This has to be the best vcr I've ever owned. The picture quality is second to none. Even stands up to the Toshiba 6 head model ! Quiet operation and auto tracking and cleaning makes this very easy to use. I have used the tuner to receive analog and digital signals. It is now connected to a dish.

Build quality and picture (relatively speaking); style

None, really- you get what you pay for.

After months of trying to talk myself into purchasing a cheap-o ($80-$100) Hi-Fi VCR (just to hold me over until DVR prices come down to earth), I gave up and purchased the SLVN99. After almost a month of use- and for only 40 bucks more- I'm confident I made the right choice. I could tell as soon as the salesman handed me the box that it was much heavier than others I'd been looking at- about twice the weight of the newer Panasonic VCRs (of which I own a 2000 model)- and it also operates much more quietly. It's tough to give glowing comments for picture quality, since my mid-80s RCA HQ model is at least as good as the best I've seen recently, and this Sony fall into that category. But the picture quality is Good in EP, Very good in SP. The Reality Regenerator didn't do a lot for me, but I prefer a natural image to an enhanced one so your mileage may vary. The remote is a definite cut above other brands, and the style and layout of both the unit and the remote are excellent. All in all, well worth the extra money. I at least feel somewhat confident in the build quality of this one- doesn't strike me as a "disposable VCR" like the other brands I've looked at do. BTW, Good Guys matched their online total price, which was $149 out the door. Not bad for a hard-to-find model like this one.

Similar Products Used:

2001-02 Panasonic, Toshiba, Mits, et al.

Useablity, performance, looks

not the fastest re-wind

This unit has to be the best value per dollar vcr on the market right now. Performs very well, has a good display a good remote and looks pretty good too. Has something Sony calls reality generater circuitry which is to improve picture quality. It does work alittle, but is subject to what signal it is to correct. Over all I'm very happy with this player. It doesn't have flying erase heads as my previous player did, but I think I can live without that .

Similar Products Used:

top of the line Sonys and Toshibas