Sony SLV-N50 - Quirks, But Great - 4 Stars out of 5

PROS: It plays a superb picture even in EP(SLP), perfect still frame even in EP(SLP), as good slow play as I've seen even in EP(SLP), records a superb picture even in EP(SLP), record starts up at EXACTLY the point that you stopped it(not like some, where you have to record past the stopping point, then stop 2 or 3 secs early), HI-FI Stereo(depends on how good the sound is on the channel/tape), and REW/FF is incredibly fast. After using it for awhile, it seems to be very durable, as I haven't any problems in it yet and it is 8 years old; although I don't know how many years it has been used by the previous owner(s), I bought it used.

CONS:  It takes from 5 to 8 seconds for the record function to get started again; that's a long time, as the longest that I've ever dealt with on any other VCR is 2 or 3 secs; when recording programs with commercials, you'll definitely have to learn to compensate for it or miss A LOT of info at the start of each recording. My old Sanyo(Tan) would fire up after about a sec. REC Button on the remote is naturally jammed in, meaning that you'll have to either have to have a point or push the button hard to get it to work. Unlike most remotes, it is vertically long and the buttons are hard to memorize. The remote sensor is something that you'll also have to get used to; the remote has to pointed in a certain direction or angle to get it to work.

This VCR is the 2nd best that I've owned; I once owned a Sanyo(Tan) that had all the PROs(with a few extra features) and non of the CONs, but I can't remember the model # for it and even on this unit the PROs far outweigh the CONs. The CONs on this unit can best be thought of as quirks, annoying, but something that can be easily overlooked - if properly compensated for. I'm extremely happy with it!