What You Need To Know Before Buying A VHS
A video home system (VHS) is an analog cassette format that was commonly used in past for recording analog audio and video from a television. A programmable clock was used to time the recording of the television channel on a magnetic tape. The actual player, known as a video cassette recorder (VCR), records as well as plays the tapes. The popularity of these analog formats has declined over time due to the digital revolution but they still remain a great treasure for classics. You can use them to view your favorite VHS cassettes from old.
What are SP, LP and EP modes in VCRs?
The VCR comes with a variety of controls that enable different functions. This includes settings that control the speed of the tape in relation to the rotating drum. A decrease in tape speed means a reduction in quality of the images but an increase in the amount of material fitting in the tape. The three functions are the SP, LP, and EP:
- SP- In this mode, the tape moves past the head at a speed of 33.35 (1.31 linear inches) per second.
- LP- The tape here moves at 16.7 mm per second, which is equivalent to 0.66 linear inches per second.
- EP- When set to this speed mode, the tape moves at 11 mm per second or 0.44 IPS.
What should I consider when buying a VHS player?
- Image quality - Most of the analog formats display low-quality images when compared to the digital media but you can still get a VHS recorder with a decent image quality. The more the number of heads in a player, the better the quality of the picture. That means that a four-head VCR will outperform a two-head VCR player in the quality of the images. It will also provide better ability to fast-forward or playback videos in slow motion as well as freeze frames. You can also get S-VHS players that provide videos with a higher-resolution than the standard VHS. Such units will require a television with an S-VHS cable and an S-video option.
- Sound quality - When it comes to audio, you can choose between the GE mono-sound VCRs and hi-fi stereo VCRs available. For a sound that is exceptionally good, a hi-fi stereo VCR will always stand out. The unit allows you to play stereo sounds which are popular even in the present day. They create a theater-like surround system which the mono-sound does not.
What accessories can I get with the GE VHS VCR?
- Remote control with batteries
- Cables
- Manuals and quick start guides
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