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Sony SLV-SX 710
by derek-a
When it comes to electrical goods, I have a lot of bias towards Sony and my SLV710 video recorder (one of three I own because I edit my video shots), is no exception.
I have had this machine for about 3 years now and it has not given me a moment’s problem and with its auto set-up it is easy to install. On taking it out of the ... box, I plugged in the aerial lead to the aerial-in socket on the VCR. In the aerial-out socket of the VCR, I plugged in the lead supplied and from there into the area in at the back of the television. I then connected the scart lead (this machine has two scart sockets, one for in, from my other VCR and the other one to the scart at the back of the television). I then plugged in the mains lead, installed the batteries (AA) supplied into the handset and was ready to go.
Tuning into the channels:
I turned on the TV set and and on the front of the VCR machine, pressed the small button marked Auto Set Up. Via the scart lead, the recorder automatically switched the TV to the Video channel and started searching for the signals coming in from the aerial lead.
Starting with channel 1, it tuned to BBC 1 and automatically moved to channel 2 (BBC2), 3(ITV), 4(Channel 4) 5 (Channel 5)… It continued hunting and tuning other channels in our area (S4C – Welsh Channel 4) and ITV (West Country) all of which we can access from the Cardiff area. All channels were exactly where I wanted them to be, although there is a facility to swap channels to different numbers if required.
As well as the channel auto-set, the clock was also set to the correct time, using the signal from BBC channel (default), but if so desired, the time signal can be set to pick up from any of the other ITV channels also. But seeing the BBC generally has the correct time, I left it at this. Another thing I like about this auto-clock facility, is that when the clocks change to summer or wintertime, the VCR also changes automatically.
Setting the timer:
This sometimes is a nightmare for some people, but setting the Sony to timer-record was simplicity itself. There is a Video plus system, which is the easiest method, but it doesn’t work on my TV because we are with NTL (cable TV) and the video plus signals are not sent in the same way as an ordinary roof aerial. To set the timer…
Ensure you’re on the Video channel on the TV.
Press menu on the handset. Menu appears on TV screen.
Press the up/down arrows in the centre (circular dials) of the handset until “Timer” is highlighted
Press OK (centre of handset) and another screen appears on TV
Date (TODAY) will appear in 1st (left hand) Column highlighted. By pressing the “up” arrow you can change this to tomorrow, next day (which appears as the date), or day after etc. etc. every time you press the “up” arrow.
If you press the “down” arrow however, you can set it to come on every day from Monday – Saturday, Monday – Friday and if you keep pressing it, it will come up every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday in single days.
By pressing the Right arrow again, it will take you to Start time in hours, press again, Start time in minutes. Press again, end time in hours, press again, end time in minutes.
Press Right Arrow again to set the Channel you want to record from, then again to select LP/SP (long play or standard play). And that’s it.
When all this is done press “OK” and instruction will come up to switch VCR to stand-by to activate timer. If you want to watch a video before timer kicks in, you can do without disturbing the entries you’ve just made. Just make sure when it’s time for it to record, it is switched to Stand-by mode. The whole procedure takes less time than it does to read it, once you know the procedure off by heart.
Picture Quality
I found the quality of the recording quite exceptional. There is a very slight loss of quality with a recording made in LP mode, but in SP, it was hard to tell the difference from a recording to that of an actual TV broadcast. The pause facility in standard play freezes the picture without any “wobble” at all.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is nicam stereo and really good especially when playing music videos. Mind you, that would depend on the quality of your equipment. I run this VCR through a nicam Sony TV and the sound is very good, but even better is I connect it to my hi-fi equipment via the phono-leads at the back of the VCR.
Another good feature with this VCR is the search ability. A cover at the top of the handset slides up to reveal other buttons. There is slow motion (if required) and the index search, which when pressed, (when a video is in playback mode) will fast-forward to the next program that had been recorded. It does this because when the machine starts to record, a code is laid down on the tape marking its position.
Fast-forward can also be used as a search where the video winds visually forward at a high speed until the required scene is found. Upon releasing the fast-forward button, the tape resumes normal playback speed.
Another useful function is that if you have a tape in and there’s not quite enough space on the tape to finish a timer-recording event in standard play, the machine will adjust it to long-play to give more recording time.
Reliability.
As I mentioned earlier, I have had my SLV710 for about 3 years now and had no problems with it at all.
Finally, the user’s manual you get with this machine is easy-to-read and understand and very comprehensive.
Thanks for reading
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Sony SLV-SE 720
by ausrov1
Ah Dear, Where to start with this utter Heap of S*$T. Well when i bought it, for ?200 Euro in Ireland, It was only one down from top of then range in September last Year(2003). I Payed the cash and brought it home thinking Sony would be the best quality in everything. Build quality, Picture, Sound and just in general. BUT NO IT ... WASNT SO!
When i took it out of the box all of the usual stuff was in there, though no extras, so i thought they a bit stingy but then it didnt exactly say buy now and get ?? Free did it so that was ok.
First impressions where generally ver good, build and button-press quality was very good, 2or 3 times better quality than my old thing. So that was a good factor and i liked the SONY logo stamped on the top of it.
After reading the usual blurb in the manual just so i didnt miss anything i set it up accordingly and plugged it in.
It ran absolutely GREAT! Good Picture, Sound and full of features. I would list then all but i cant remember them now.
Then after 4 Months of occasional use as i have a DVD player the proverbial excrement hit the fan. When i went to bed that night it was working and during the night i woke up for some reason so when i went to check the time it was off. I thought i ws just a power cut or something or maybe a blown fuse.So i went back to sleep and ignored it. The next day when i got back home from work i had a look at the fuse and to see if there was a taped jammed, all where A ok and clear but still no lights on the display. So this i thought must be a higher more technical problem so i took it to the electrical shop i bought it from.
They looked at it and said that they would look into it. I left it there for 3 Weeks and still to no avail, they hadnt a clue so i went (with the VCR) to the local Sony Dealer (Dublin at the time) and they said there wasnt anything they could do as I hadnt bought the item off of them. To this reply after driving 60 Miles as you
may be able to imagine i was pretty annoyed. So i took it back to my local electrical store who i bought it off and they said they would look into it again, but another 3 weeks later when i went to collect it, it was covered with dust. so i just asked for a refund or an exchange, to which they wouldnt do either (Exchage they said they couldnt see anything wrong so they wouldnt authorise it and a refund they said it was after their 28 days return) So i took it home and opened it up.
Power was going to the Mainboard(Model Number: VFD430-Main-A Scorpio II, Code Number: AC41 - 00192E, Rev: 01) and the loading and playing mechanism but absolutely nothing but the test button worked. No lights no play no picture just eject. So it is now stuck in my loft rotting away. I havent a clue what is wrong with it but i think it could be the CPU gone...... i dont know, but that is just my guess.
In my opinion only buy electronics at high price if you know the business is kosher and NEVER buy SONY VCR's.
Well that was my moan for the day anyway.
Thanks for reading my review and i hope it was helpful to you.
P.S if anyone knows how to fix this problem please email me at ausrov1@hotmail.com
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Sony SVR 2000
by wangchang5
If you've read anything about Tivo then this is nothing new to you, and I won't go on and on about how great it is because you've probably heard it all before. But I will say that this box and the Tivo service will really change the way you watch TV. Guaranteed. Features I like: 1. The ability to pause live ... TV is essential for people with kids or weak bladders
2. Season pass recording allows you to record a show every time it's on, and it knows the difference between a new show and a repeat.
3. Recommender system. You rate shows with either a thumbs up or thumbs down and it will record similar shows based on what you like without you telling it to. So you end up watching shows that you might not have thought you would like. It will avoid those with a thumbs down.
4. The entire system from installation and setup to using it on a daily basis is so well though out and easy to use. The navigation makes sense, the remote is well thought out and everything down to the way it looks is beautiful.
5. The Wishlist. Have a favorite director, actor or sports team? Setting up a wishlist will record anything with these in it, so you'll never miss your favorites no matter when they are on. You don't even have to know that they are on because it does it all for you.
It is simply light years ahead of any VCR in terms of functionality and ease of use. You find something on the schedule and clicking one button sets it to record. No more looking for tapes and rewinding to the right spot. It's digital, it's instant, it's brilliant!
I've heard some stories from people who get bad boxes but I've yet to hear from one person who hasn't had it taken care of, and face it people, it can happen to anything. If you're worried, get the extended warranty. The units can be a little pricey but I think I think it's a small price to pay to be able to enjoy watching TV again. It's
just fantastic to have that much control.
This is the best electronic device I've ever bought. Buy it now, you won't regret it!
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