Panasonic's vision of the digital future is driven by the needs and aspirations of its business customers and millions of consumers around the world who use its products every day. The company shares their dream to live a fuller life by providing ways of working smarter and enjoying the rewards of technological advances.
Play your favorite movies and easily record your must-see TV programs with the Panasonic PV-V4524S four-head, hi-fi VCR. It features front A/V inputs, recording capability for eight events in one month, 181-channel TV/CATV tuner, and rapid rewind/forward function.
The Index Search feature places a signal on the videotape control track at the beginning of each program you record, allowing you to quickly access different programs on the same tape by entering the corresponding one through nine keys on your remote. During playback, you can also skip unwanted scenes or commercials by simply pressing a single button on the remote control. The tape is advances in one-, two-, or three-minute increments.
The tape position display shows an onscreen icon that depicts your current position on the tape, giving you an accurate indication of the remaining tape length. This feature can be accessed when a tape is inserted for recording or is already in the process of recording.
Other features include auto clock set with 24-hour backup and trilingual onscreen display for onscreen programming instructions in English, Spanish or French.
Tech Talk
- Four-head VCR: A VCR requires two video heads to record a picture. With four heads, a VCR can perform special effects like slow motion and freeze frame, and it is optimized for recording and playback in both the SP (two-hour) and SLP (six-hour) modes. You'll also get a better picture from rental videos with a four-head VCR.
- Hi-fi VHS: The standard VHX format with Dolby Surround Pro-Logic encoded in the stereo audio channels, which produces near CD-quality sound. You'll need an A/V receiver with Dolby Surround Pro-Logic decoding to take full advantage of this feature.
What's in the Box Panasonic PV-V4524S VCR, remote control, 2 AA batteries, and printed operating instructions.
1 Rewind broken within 6 months
I purchased this VCR less than 6 months ago. The "supersonic" rewind was disturbing at first since it definitely sounded as if the VCR was going to launch itself right out of the TV cabinet. Well, after several months of use, the rewind is now "turtle slow." It doesn't work. It's faster to use the Search+Rewind than the regular Rewind. Sounds like it's crunching through the tape (the Fast Forward is fine). I've owned VCRs which have lasted me for 10+ years. This is the first Panasonic I've purchased and since it will cost more to fix it than to buy a new one, it will be the last Panasonic I will purchase.
2 Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, GO!
This is an affordable, capable little VCR. Like the other reviewers, I do wish it had auto-tracking and a better "time remaining" counter but it does the job and records about as well as a 30-50 dollar VCR can.
And, man, when they say FAST FORWARD they aren't kidding. This VCR's fast forward and rewind are FAST. I'm talking Tasmanian Devil fast. I'm saying you might cast a cautious eye toward your VCR if you're rewinding a tape because when this sucker gets to work, it sounds like it's about to lift off and blast right through the ceiling. That's good when you want to skip around on a tape, but it makes scanning through commercials tricky work. I wish the "play" were as fast as the "scan" because I always over- or under-shoot it when I'm trying to stop at a specific point.
3 Commenting on the older, black version
Aside from losing LP speed, this appears to be the same machine but in silver and for less money.
I bought the black version in 2002 to replace another Panasonic from 1981 (that still works but is on a different TV set). The playback quality is excellent and it offers two inputs--useful on a TV with only three inputs.
This works great on my new TV, a 24" Sony WEGA. I strongly recommend the purchase of a high-quality composite video cable from Acousitc Research or Monster Cable for the VCR on a really good TV.
I am a die-hard Sony guy but I don't like Sony's VCRs. I had a 2000 model and wound up getting rid of it a year later because it had an annoying tracking problem and was slow to rewind. This one has fast rewind. Some complain about the noise of the rewind speed, but any fast VCR is going to have noise to a degree. I can't even notice a motor noise during playback, but that may be because I like to crank my sound up on my TV.
It may not have the quality of a DVD player but you can't beat a VCR to record shows off TV, and if you have a ton of old VHS movies like I do this VCR is probably the best one. Not sure if the quality has gone down on these VCRs but I may buy one to use on my iMac.
4 Not a disaster, but a disappointment
I have used an older version of Panasonic VCR (the black one) for more than 5 years now, and it worked flawlessly. It even had 3 recording speeds (SP, LP, SLP) which is impossible to find today. Anyway, I needed another VCR and went ahead with the same brand. This time it is silver.
Pros are: nice and small remote control and ... that's all
Cons are: loud engine that buzzes even in the stop mode (what for?); ever noisier rewinding (it can be easily heard from another room); less than perfect picture quality; only 2 speeds - SP and SLP. The manual that used to be a little brochure 5 years ago shrank itself to 2 folded toilet paper-quality sheets - basic operations and advanced (???) operations.
Bottom line: I will give it a couple more days and then maybe will return it and replace with Sony or something else.
5 Pretty good VCR, BUT...
...No auto-tracking? What is up with that? What kind of idiot builds a VCR these days *without* auto-tracking??? These idiots, apparently. 'Nuff said.
6 Panasonic PV-V4524S--The good, the bad, and the ugly
The Good: Good remote, good looks, good record & play back on the same deck.
The Bad: This VCR definitely has tracking problems when playing tapes recorded in other units. I tested using tapes recorded on three different VCRs--all where difficult (if not impossible) to track either on Auto or manually.
The Ugly: FF/REW way too fast for watching TV shows and trying to FF through commercials. You just can't press the buttons fast enough to stop the tape at the beginning of a show. The unit just DOES NOT STOP ON A DIME. I found myself anticipating and pressing the button way in advance--2 to 5 minutes for long FFs, which it does very fast.
Good luck...
7 Bad Playback #2
I bought this item because the price seemed right and I've own other Panasonic products that are excellent. I will basically confirm one of the other reviews for this product. The playback is bad, except for tapes recorded on this deck. This includes any professionally recorded studio home videos. There was a tracking line towards the bottom of the screen which would not go away even when using the tracking function. I wasn't too surprised that it did this with my personally recorded tapes, since they were recorded on an old 2-head VCR. However, when I played a few official studio tapes I was shocked that it displayed the same tracking line with all of them. Now, as the other reviewer pointed out, tapes recorded on this deck play perfectly.
I have since returned this VCR and bought the Samsung VR8460. So far the Samsung works perfectly on all levels. All tapes play perfectly on this deck and it is only a few dollars more than the Panasonic.
8 bad playback quality
This deck records with good quality. It also plays back really well, but only if it's something you recorded on this deck. Shows recorded on other decks, or even professionally produced home videos, have a nice, thick tracking line right thru the center of the screen. I have yet to find out if events taped with this deck will play back with good quality on other decks. I recommend doing what I should have done in the first place: spend just a little bit more money and get a good Toshiba or JVC, either one will definitely outperform this cheap Panasonic.
9 Vcr is ok
Rewinds fast like promise but the head gets dirty too often I didn't have this problem with old JVC vcr what a jip don't buy this VCR get a Sony or a JVC they work and don't require so much upkeep gosh what a rip off .
10 Greatest value for recording
Yes, the world is going digital and VCR's are quickly becoming dinosaurs. In fact, this most likely will be my last one. Why am I buying a new VCR in 2004? Simple, I needed something to record my sports & TV shows and I simply couldn't beat the value of a Hi-Fi VCR.
I bought this model at a local retailer for 60$!! Amazon's price (58$) wasn't enough of a discount for me to want to wait for the shipping, sorry amazon. DVR's are nice and easy to use, but I was not interested in a monthly fee (ranges 60-156$/yr.) DVD recorders are clearly the future, especially those w/ built-in hard drives, but are still way overpriced !! I'll be patient and wait until they come down to earth.
I researched VCR's are found a nice Sony model(SLVN750), but it was 20$ more(80$). Sony's have always seemed overpriced. That model was actually the most expensive Hi-Fi VCR I found out there.
Anyways, I've always liked Panasonics and have been satisfied with their products before. In fact, Panasonic is #1 in terms of reliablity for VCR's, they also make reliable DVD players by the way. I won't try to compare the picture between VCRs(analog) and DVDs(digital). I'll just say that the picture is acceptable. The sound from playback on a Hi-Fi(stereo/2 channel)VCR is actually quite good, I was impressed.
Make sure you use the RCA(composite) A/V inputs for hook up. I'd actually recommend Monster Cable RCA's - they are spendy yes, but worth it. Panasonic offers a similiar, slighty more expensive model to this one, the #PV-V4624S, the main differences are that one is wider and offers a "light tower" remote. S-VHS(or Super VHS) machines are nice because they offer higher resolution(and an S-Video out), however they are 3X the price of a Hi-Fi 4 head model and I simply could not justify spending that much on a VCR.
Some things I like about this model are it has a very small remote(though boxy designed), commercial skip button (1,2,or 3 min. fast forward)-though it's not placed in an easy to locate/handy area and confusingly labeled "CM/ZERO". I feel they should've made the record button red to help it stand out more on the remote. It features auto clock set, on-screen programming, energy star, universal remote (for VCR & TV only), memory back-up, front inputs, 1 year warranty(90 day labor).
My complaints are: the construction of the sides and back are now plastic instead of metal, guess Panasonic is trying to cut costs. The two included manuals are horrible. Also, I wish this was available in black as all of my other A/V electronics are. Though loud, this thing is incredibly fast at rewinding too! We are talking mere seconds. SP & SLP recording only... what happened to LP mode? Doesn't matter to me, I always use SP mode anyways(better picture & sound).
In closing, VCRs are versatile and still the most inexpensive way to play, record, and keep videos, even in 2004--05! I recommend this product to those also looking for an alternative way to record.
11 Panasonic? NEVER AGAIN!!
The timer recording DOESN'T WORK about 50% of the time! How can I trust it to record a show when I'm away? and that's the whole reason I bought the damn thing! Also, most of the time it has problems ejecting the tape!
Some people say that it's good for the money... I think that VCRs are a thing from the past and the prices should be even lower. "good for the money" is not an excuse for selling this piece of junk for 60 bucks. I thought that this is going to be the last time I buy a VCR... now I definately know it's the last time I buy a Panasonic product!
12 Headache
I got eyestrain and a headache from watching tv through the vcr as
well as tapes made from it.
Returned it for a Mitsubishi.
13 Good Basic VCR
Has all the basic features that you need in a VCR. Worked fine so far.
I have always liked Panasonic for its reliability.
14 Beware VCRs with only 1 audio plug
This Panasonic has both left and right audio plugs, so the sound is excellent!!!!! Much better than my Sharp VCR which had only 1 audio plug.
If you are searching for a low-price VCR, do not get suckered into buying one that has only 1 audio plug. With such a VCR, you will not hear minor high-pitched background sounds. Like glass breaking, or an object shattering.
Also beware of advertisements for some decks that claim to have superior picture quality. That is just false advertisement. All decks are currently made with the same video technology, that means that ALL VCRs HAVE THE EXACT SAME PICTURE QUALITY. So you do not need to spend extra money on some fancy brand name.
15 Disappointed former Panasonic fan
I've owned several Panasonic VCR's in the past and have been happy with them. Decided to go with another Panasonic when an old one conked out.
This one is a disappointment:
1) Recording in SLP produced a very grainy picture. SP worked much better, but I rarely use this mode because you can't get much on a single tape.
2) The "universal" remote on this model can control fewer TVs than my old Panasonic VCR. The following TV's were missing from this newer model: Zenith, Magnavox, Sylvania, JVC, Mitsubushi, Samsung, Goldstar. If you have one of these TV's (mine is a Zenith) you're out of luck! I tried programming in the code for the Zenith to see if the new remote would accept it anyway, and of course it didn't.
However, it did play back tapes recorded on other VCRs quite well, so it you intend to use this VCR only for playback, and you have a brand of TV that is supported by the remote, this model might work for you.
I'm going to return this VCR and try a different brand (probably a Sony).
