Panasonic PV-V4520 VHS VCR
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- VCR Type: VHS
- Number of Video Heads: 4
- Audio: Hi-Fi Stereo
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Panasonic PV-V4520S 4-head Hi-Fi Stereo VCR
Pros
Easy to use, excellent picture and sound, build quality, reliability, compact, nice remote
Cons
No front inputs
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The Panasonic PV-V4520S is a reliable, easy to use 4-head 3-speed Hi-Fi VCR
One person here wrote that 4520S model has "...dynAmorphous and Flying Erase Head, which are another two things that should be included in any quality VCR. These qualities of a VCR definitely enhance the viewing experience...". The same review says that this model is overpriced at $130 and cannot be recommended.
Of course it doesn't have DynAmorphous Heads or a Flying Erase Head - with them it would cost at least $220. The Flying Erase Head does not affect the playback at all (does not enhance viewing experience). And I bought this VCR for $99.
I had a chance to play with PV-V4520S and it did not disappoint me. It cost $99 at BestBuy.com with free shipping.
This model is a 4-head Hi-Fi stereo VCR. Unlike some other manufacturer?s VCRs, Panasonic VCRs (and this one) allow you to record and play back at 3 speeds ? SP, LP and SLP (EP). Some other VCRs (like JVC HR-3600) does not have LP speed, so you have to choose either SP or EP.
The 4520S is lightweight ? just 3 kg (about 6.6 pounds) and compact. Although some online stores (I think BestBuy.com) say it does not have auto tracking, 4520 has it (I cannot imagine any VCR nowadays without it).
Inputs
This model has an A/V input (composite video and analog audio ? left and right channels ? 3 RCA-type jacks total) and 1 A/V output ? all on the rear panel. Since this model is one of the cheapest, you don?t get the front inputs. There is also an RF in and out
Auto CLock Set
The automatic clock set works in this model as expected ? it set the time and date automatically, in contrast with JVC HR3600, where I couldn?t make the ?Plug?n?Play? feature work properly. The channel setup was also easy.
Remote Control
The remote is very good ? it is more compact than my 3.5-year old Panasonic NV-PV8661 remote and also has backlit buttons. Unlike some other remotes that just slightly glow in the dark, this one has a button that activates the backlight for several seconds.
The remote also works when not directly pointed towards the VCR. Button layout is intuitive and you can control almost all functions from it. You can also control different brands of TVs and cable boxes from it.
VCR+
This VCR allows you to use VCR+ codes to program the recording, but I never use VCR+. The programming process is very easy both using VCR+ and ?regular? programming.
Tape Position Display
The 4520S has a tape position display that shows you a graph on the screen indicating the position of the tape. This graph looks much better than my JVC HR3600?s.
Picture
The picture quality is very good (to get better picture you have to pay much more for the model with Dynamorphous laminated heads or/and S-VHS VCR) and the sound in Hi-Fi mode is excellent. 4520S also has Index search and Commercial Skip.
Overall, 4520S is much easier to use than JVC and other brands of VCRs.
Bottom Line
The Panasonic PV-V4520S is a reliable, easy to use 4-head 3-speed Hi-Fi VCR. It combines ease of use with excellent build quality, great picture quality and sound and very affordable price.
Of course it doesn't have DynAmorphous Heads or a Flying Erase Head - with them it would cost at least $220. The Flying Erase Head does not affect the playback at all (does not enhance viewing experience). And I bought this VCR for $99.
I had a chance to play with PV-V4520S and it did not disappoint me. It cost $99 at BestBuy.com with free shipping.
This model is a 4-head Hi-Fi stereo VCR. Unlike some other manufacturer?s VCRs, Panasonic VCRs (and this one) allow you to record and play back at 3 speeds ? SP, LP and SLP (EP). Some other VCRs (like JVC HR-3600) does not have LP speed, so you have to choose either SP or EP.
The 4520S is lightweight ? just 3 kg (about 6.6 pounds) and compact. Although some online stores (I think BestBuy.com) say it does not have auto tracking, 4520 has it (I cannot imagine any VCR nowadays without it).
Inputs
This model has an A/V input (composite video and analog audio ? left and right channels ? 3 RCA-type jacks total) and 1 A/V output ? all on the rear panel. Since this model is one of the cheapest, you don?t get the front inputs. There is also an RF in and out
Auto CLock Set
The automatic clock set works in this model as expected ? it set the time and date automatically, in contrast with JVC HR3600, where I couldn?t make the ?Plug?n?Play? feature work properly. The channel setup was also easy.
Remote Control
The remote is very good ? it is more compact than my 3.5-year old Panasonic NV-PV8661 remote and also has backlit buttons. Unlike some other remotes that just slightly glow in the dark, this one has a button that activates the backlight for several seconds.
The remote also works when not directly pointed towards the VCR. Button layout is intuitive and you can control almost all functions from it. You can also control different brands of TVs and cable boxes from it.
VCR+
This VCR allows you to use VCR+ codes to program the recording, but I never use VCR+. The programming process is very easy both using VCR+ and ?regular? programming.
Tape Position Display
The 4520S has a tape position display that shows you a graph on the screen indicating the position of the tape. This graph looks much better than my JVC HR3600?s.
Picture
The picture quality is very good (to get better picture you have to pay much more for the model with Dynamorphous laminated heads or/and S-VHS VCR) and the sound in Hi-Fi mode is excellent. 4520S also has Index search and Commercial Skip.
Overall, 4520S is much easier to use than JVC and other brands of VCRs.
Bottom Line
The Panasonic PV-V4520S is a reliable, easy to use 4-head 3-speed Hi-Fi VCR. It combines ease of use with excellent build quality, great picture quality and sound and very affordable price.
