Sony SLV-N500 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR

The SLVN500's four-head design ensures smooth slow-motion play (forward and reverse) and clear still-frame images, and with hi-fi sound the unit records and plays back stereo audio tracks. If you route the stereo output to an AV receiver, you can even enjoy four-channel (left, center, right, and monaural surround) Dolby Pro Logic mixes from TV and Dolby-encoded cassettes.

A feature called instant replay backs the tape up 10 seconds for each touch of the replay button for quick recaps of a missed line or exciting action. The VCR automatically marks the tape with an index signal at the point where each recording begins so you can easily scan back to the start of a recording using these signals as a reference. Other features include 19-micron heads (for the clearest possible picture when recording or viewing in extended-play mode), digital auto tracking, instant replay, flash rewind, a multilingual onscreen display, and a multi-brand remote control. ChildLoc circuitry locks the VCR after the timer has been set so young hands don't accidentally cancel programming.

Besides being of relatively chintzy construct, its remote and accompanying options were poorly designed and annoying to use. I resigned myself to lame design because I don't use my VCR that much anymore anyway and I figured I'd "get over it."

Then I began having increasingly serious problems with the audio when viewing tapes. It actually began the very first time I used this VCR to record; on playback, it sounded like I was getting interference from a talk radio station. It didn't correspond to anything on TV at the time, so I figured there had been some issues with the cable reception as it had been recording -- our cable company isn't that great. Then I had a few uneventful viewings, just enough that I stopped worrying about that first event and consequently didn't notice/care that return policy deadlines and warranties were expiring. The first time I decided to watch a movie on VHS (as opposed to a TV show I had taped with the VCR), I discovered the interference was back. It was so obtrusive this time that the talk radio was louder than the movie dialogue. After checking, rechecking, and fiddling with all my cords and cables and settings for the third time, I swapped out the Sony with my old Magnavox, on which the movie played just fine.

Needless to say, I did not get my money's worth on this Sony VCR. I found it disappointingly substandard in design and features even when it seemed to be working properly; now, three and a half months after purchase, it doesn't even work well enough to serve its primary function.


Terrible VCR   July 6, 2004
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I bought this VCR to match my other Sony components. I assumed that the Sony name meant something. I had two other VCRs that stopped working which didn't surprise me since they were very cheap no name brands I purchased at Walmart. I hoped that if I bought a Sony VCR it would be my last. I was very wrong. After a month and a half the VCR started ruining tapes. Note that this is long enough to be out of warranty. Sony will let you send it back to get repaired, but the cost of doing so exceeds the price of a new VCR. DO NOT PURCHASE this item. You will be sorry you did.


Not worthy of Sony name   June 3, 2004
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Sony brand has high reputation for quality. But for VCRs somehow Sony seems to have lost its focus. This was my second Sony VCR. I love Sony brand, so when the first VCR started chewing my tapes, I bought another Sony. This one doesn't chew the tapes, but its rewind is the slowest. It takes about 30 seconds to start rewinding. Ironically, fast rewind was an advertised feature. No more Sony VCRs for me.

To be fair, I must say that I am not going to buy any more Sony TVs either. But the reason for that is different. The reason is that the TV that I have (Trinitron), just doesn't break down. It has been over 10 years, but it keeps going as new. Why can't Sony make their VCRs as high quality as their TVs?


Great value.   March 13, 2004
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Bought and returned Sanyo and Panasonic VCRs before trying the
Sony SLV-N500. Both VCRs returned had problems with tracking
tapes recorded on other machines. No tracking problems with this
Sony (Ditgital Tracking). Plays every tape flawlessly (SP & EP).
Super fast rewind and fastfoward. Remote is not fancy, but easy
to use. Digital display on front of VCR, which are missing on
a lot of VCRs in this price range.