80s VCR vs 90s VCR vs 2000s VCR

A Panasonic PV-1200 from 1981, a Mistubishi HS-U59 from 1994, and a Sony SLV-N50 from 2001.

This comparison shows some ways the consumer VCR has changed over the decades. The 1981 VCR is a very mechanical contraption, while the newer VCRs move many functions into software. You also see features unique to every decade, i.e. the 80s VCR's external input labeled "camera" and the inclusion of Audio dub/microphone input. The 90s VCR has "VCR Plus" programming with a cable box control. By the time the 2001 VCR was purchased, the VCR was on the way out so this model is not as full-featured as the others, but it does have Auto Clock Set. (IMHO, the best feature ever added to the VHS VCR was HiFi Audio recording.)

On the inside, the 1981 VCR has two huge fold out circuit boards, lots of connecting wires, and is heavily populated by standard electronic components such as diodes, resistors, and capacitors. Sections are labeled with names like "Chroma" and "PG Shifter." The circuit boards in the 1994 VCR are more specialized and smaller, but still stacked and cramped. The 2001 VCR has just a single main board and a tuner module, and very few standard components. A label stamped on the loading mechanism says "SHY" - wonder what that means?

I am not an electrical engineer, but it would be interesting to hear an opinion on these
designs in terms of longevity and reliability. Would the 1981 VCR have the potential to keep running longer, since its more generic makeup lends itself to perpetual repair? Or is a VCR made of fewer specialized chips so reliable that only the power supply would ever need replacement, even after the chips are out of production?

At the tail end of the video you see the Panasonic PV 1200 compared to the PV 1210. Both were available from the local Target at the same time for the same price. The PV-1210 seems more of a "no frills model" in that it dropped the lighted tuner, audio dub, microphone input, and counter memory switch. Also, you could not set a recording end time - it just recorded from the start time until end of the tape. But the PV-1210 was a small step forward in design - it recorded with a single button (pressing play and record was an old tape deck convention) and moved the clock and external inputs up front. I remember my school also having an RCA branded VCR built on this same chasis - I wonder who really made these VCRs and how they chose these variations in design/features?

Actual repair history on these VCRs: The 81 and 94 VCRs have both had new belts. The 1200 was given to me after the owner banged on it repeatedly because it wouldn't go (hence the cracked lid in the video). Power wasn't getting to a section of it, so I grounded or re-routed something and it started working. I also had to replace the light inside the loading mechanism which tells it to stop rewinding. The PV-1210 had a problem where the motor would not turn, but I was able to trace power to a regulator IC and order a replacement. The VCRs all still work in 2012. The motivation for this video was a transfer project for someone which caused me to pull them out of storage, along with reading the recent Steve Wozniak autobiography in which he fondly remembers repairing VCRs....

[MustangSam]

Around 1997 I had my own repair shop. I had hundreds of vcr's piled in my garage and I saved some of the old heavy ones. They were amazing works of art to me. Opening up the circuit boards like pages of a book, and a gazillion parts underneath. I still have an RCA 1979 model like new with book and purchase receipt. I have about 4 more early models. They are so heavy you have to be careful when you lift one. I really enjoyed working on vcr's and had hundreds of customers.

[stephendeinema]

I must thank my VCR for eating all those tapes growing up. It gave me a reason to open the VCR, which sparked my curiosity about how electronics work. It's been a life long fascination that all started with those tapes getting eaten

[GoldSrc_]

I love the sounds those amazing machines make when they are working.

[monos]

I LOVED the smell of the decals of brand new Polaroid Vhs tapes as soon as the plastic wrapping came off.

[Tomsonic]

My first ever VCR was in 1988 and was one of the earliest all-electronic front-loading machines. Even then, the build quality was MUCH higher than you'd get in mid-90s and 2000s VCRs, and this VCR of mine actually continued working until around 2005!

[rcharne]

Not sure about the claims of poor quality with VCR's built in the 2000's. The main workhorse VCR that I own is the JVC model HR-S9800 which is a S-VHS. I bought it in 2000, and after lots of use, I did not know anything about cleaning these units and I purchased a dry type video head cleaner. It messed the unit up to where a tape would not play. I took it to a local video repair shop and they fixed it. So, since then, for 16 years, I have had no further issue with it. I also own 1 other JVC vcr-dvd combo unit, and also 3 Panasonic VCR's which are used with TV's throughout the house. All of these are between 10-16 years old and they have operated just fine. I think the quality of the JVC and Panasonic brand is the reason, plus there is no smoking in the house, and I do all the cleaning of each unit (removing the cover to do the cleaning)

[ldchappell]

My first encounter with a VCR was a prank my boss played on me in 1977. I was 19 and I worked for a man who wrote scripts broadcast TV.  My boss called me at home on a Saturday morning and asked me to come to his house and retype a script for "The Love Boat."  I went to his house and spent about an hour typing up the script. After I finished he asked me if I had seen the Paul McCartney & Wings concert that had been on TV the night before. When I said no he shook his head and said. "That's terrible. Would you like to see it right now?  I can call the TV station now and tell them to play it again since you missed it."   Of course I thought he was pulling my leg. He picked up the phone and pretended like he was calling the TV station. Then he went into the kitchen for a minute and turned on the TV when he came back. I looked at the TV and I couldn't believe it!  We watched the concert for about 10 minutes when he started laughing and motioned me to go into the kitchen with him. There sitting on the table was a humongous Sony VCR.  That prank sounds so silly these days but back in 1977 most people didn't know what a VCR was. I wasn't able to afford one until 1983 and then stupid me, I went and bought a Panasonic Betamax. Even though Beta format went extinct, I used that Betamax until 1997. I bought my first DVD player in 2001 but kept my VCR and tapes for 3 more years. By the time I gave it up I had at least 600 VHS tapes. I gave them all away to my friends.

[Thomass]

One of, If not the most complicated piece of electronics in anyone's home. I miss those's. V.C.R's
Thanks for sharing.

[billybassman]

The PV-1200 was made from 1979 and 1980. I have one as shown in my avatar. It works great and has a better picture than most VRC's from the 90s and 2000s.

[Ballowax]

My god that ejecting mechenismn in that 80's VCR is so satisfying.

[mvShooting]

Hi-Fi audio for VHS recording is an essential.

[bgumbleton]

Most VCR's were selling for around $20.00 in 2003-2004.

[vegavgf]

There is a 2010s VCR which was made by JVC as a combo unit. Sadly, they ditched S-VHS and analog TV input

[robertyglesias]

I remember recording the academy awards show and a super bowl I felt like I was in heaven with my first VCR, my first VCR lasted about 10 years

[SomeHarbourBastard]

Aesthetically, I think the 80s ones look the coolest.

[treystephens]

Keep and use all your video tapes and players people!

[aussrockradio]

This is a great visual, but a little too quick to follow.

[bobskie]

The old NTSC VCR has three recording speeds (SP LP SLP) (0:32). Many newer NTSC VCR only has two recording speeds (SP EP). They can't record LP but can still play tapes recorded on LP.

[ACBMemphis]

I'm not a repair expert and I have not worked on these things in probably 20 years, but measuring the power coming to the motor might be good a place start. It seems like another symptom of my particular power problem was the light bulb that shines through the tape was not on....

[RoughJusticek]

I own a few Panasonic 6-head Hi-Fi VCR's from 1998 (Made in Japan) that still work today. They use Z-mechanisms - quite robust compared to their flimsy R4-mech Super LP counterparts of 2002/03 onward which are loaded with fragile plastic gears that break easily. None of my machines need new belts (yet).