Sharp VC-H813U S-VHS VCR
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- VCR Type: S-VHS
- Number of Video Heads: 4
- Audio: Hi-Fi Stereo
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Too bad they stopped making these Sharp VCRs
Pros
Easy to program shows to be taped, easy to find them once taped
Cons
Must open case to clean heads (but this isn't needed often)
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
This is a great VCR with many useful features. Too bad it's considered obsolete technology.
If you visit an electronics store today, you might think plain VCRs had ceased to exist. And you would probably be right in terms of what is being manufactured currently. The new machines almost always combine a VCR with a DVD player or recorder.
But maybe you are a low tech person, can't afford a DVD recorder and want to record your favorite TV shows to watch later, or have a library of videotapes you just don't want to give up. If you're lucky, you may find a Sharp VC-H813U at a yard sale. Grab it and find someone to get it into working order if it isn't.
I bought this VCR new some years ago when it was Sharp's top of the line unit. It has an array of features I really like. You can start recording instantly by pressing the record button on the remote control. Pressing the button several times will tell it to keep recording until a specific time; keep pressing until the end time you want is shown on the screen. You can easily program it to record up to eight shows starting at later times using the remote if your tape has enough capacity to hold them all. If you're not sure you set things correctly, you can review your list of programs with the on screen menu and either leave them as is or erase and change them. And you can tape one show while you are watching something else.
Although this is an analog VCR, it will tape digital programs if that is the nature of your input source. Since upgrading my cable to digital and to HD, I have noticed improved picture quality in tapes made on this Sharp VCR. Your quality will depend on the quality of your source input.
Note that only the basic controls are on the VCR itself. Advanced functions require use of the remote. This remote can be programmed to operate many brands of TVs as well.
Two speeds each for taping, fast forward, and reverse
There are two tape speeds, SP, which puts 2 hours on a T-120 tape, and EP, which makes the same tape hold 6 hours of programming. While the manual claims the picture will be much clearer in SP mode, I've found the display to be quite adequate and clear using EP. This may be because of the Sharp Super Picture feature, which comes set to "on". One caution - if the power goes out, the VCR automatically resets the speed function to SP. If you prefer your tapes to hold more, remember to reset it before you begin taping.
The fast forward and reverse also have two speeds. This is helpful in quickly finding a particular part of a show or for speeding through commercials.
Favorite features
One of my favorite features is what they call DPSS. It is a search feature that finds the beginning of the next or last show. Let's say you've taped four shows on the same tape and you want to watch the third one. If you're at the beginning of the tape, you would press the DPSS+ button on the remote three times. The VCR will fast forward to the right spot and then start playing your show. Use a similar procedure with DPSS- if you're at the end of the tape and need to go backwards to find your show.
You can also set the time counter to zero by pressing cancel on the remote while the tape is playing to mark any specific place on the tape. Use the zero back button to return there. Skip search lets you fast forward ahead 30 seconds for each time you press it which is a great way to avoid commercials. The remote's replay button sends you back 20 seconds for each press, a good thing if you missed some important dialog.
The Sharp VC-H813U has hi-fi stereo sound. Although I don't have a sound system attached to my TV-VCR combo, I can say the sound is quite good when watching VCR tapes, both commercial ones and those I have recorded.
This unit also has an automatic head cleaning system which engages when tapes are inserted and ejected. That said, the most serious problems I've had with this VCR involved the video head getting dirty. Inspect all tapes carefully for visible dirt or mold before insertion. If you see anything that looks bad, don't use that tape. You'll know there's a problem if the picture is suddenly converted to snow. However, this can be cleared up easily by cleaning the head with a commercial head cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. This does require opening up the machine. I have a knowledgeable friend who takes care of this for me, but handier folks should be able to do this themselves.
Set up instructions could be clearer
The manual is not the clearest in explaining how to set up and configure the VCR. Since this is the second Sharp VCR I've owned, I did not have a problem, but a new user might.
This VCR can be set up to work using a cable box or satellite dish as a program source. There are also inputs on the front of the VCR for easy camcorder connection. Note that if you have digital cable, you can still record using this analog VCR even after analog broadcasts go away in Feb, 2009. I don't think it will work with antennas after that date even if you get a digital converter box for your TV.
Ok, someday I might get a DVR. But for now, I'm happy with my Sharp VCR, its clear recordings, and its ease of use.
But maybe you are a low tech person, can't afford a DVD recorder and want to record your favorite TV shows to watch later, or have a library of videotapes you just don't want to give up. If you're lucky, you may find a Sharp VC-H813U at a yard sale. Grab it and find someone to get it into working order if it isn't.
I bought this VCR new some years ago when it was Sharp's top of the line unit. It has an array of features I really like. You can start recording instantly by pressing the record button on the remote control. Pressing the button several times will tell it to keep recording until a specific time; keep pressing until the end time you want is shown on the screen. You can easily program it to record up to eight shows starting at later times using the remote if your tape has enough capacity to hold them all. If you're not sure you set things correctly, you can review your list of programs with the on screen menu and either leave them as is or erase and change them. And you can tape one show while you are watching something else.
Although this is an analog VCR, it will tape digital programs if that is the nature of your input source. Since upgrading my cable to digital and to HD, I have noticed improved picture quality in tapes made on this Sharp VCR. Your quality will depend on the quality of your source input.
Note that only the basic controls are on the VCR itself. Advanced functions require use of the remote. This remote can be programmed to operate many brands of TVs as well.
Two speeds each for taping, fast forward, and reverse
There are two tape speeds, SP, which puts 2 hours on a T-120 tape, and EP, which makes the same tape hold 6 hours of programming. While the manual claims the picture will be much clearer in SP mode, I've found the display to be quite adequate and clear using EP. This may be because of the Sharp Super Picture feature, which comes set to "on". One caution - if the power goes out, the VCR automatically resets the speed function to SP. If you prefer your tapes to hold more, remember to reset it before you begin taping.
The fast forward and reverse also have two speeds. This is helpful in quickly finding a particular part of a show or for speeding through commercials.
Favorite features
One of my favorite features is what they call DPSS. It is a search feature that finds the beginning of the next or last show. Let's say you've taped four shows on the same tape and you want to watch the third one. If you're at the beginning of the tape, you would press the DPSS+ button on the remote three times. The VCR will fast forward to the right spot and then start playing your show. Use a similar procedure with DPSS- if you're at the end of the tape and need to go backwards to find your show.
You can also set the time counter to zero by pressing cancel on the remote while the tape is playing to mark any specific place on the tape. Use the zero back button to return there. Skip search lets you fast forward ahead 30 seconds for each time you press it which is a great way to avoid commercials. The remote's replay button sends you back 20 seconds for each press, a good thing if you missed some important dialog.
The Sharp VC-H813U has hi-fi stereo sound. Although I don't have a sound system attached to my TV-VCR combo, I can say the sound is quite good when watching VCR tapes, both commercial ones and those I have recorded.
This unit also has an automatic head cleaning system which engages when tapes are inserted and ejected. That said, the most serious problems I've had with this VCR involved the video head getting dirty. Inspect all tapes carefully for visible dirt or mold before insertion. If you see anything that looks bad, don't use that tape. You'll know there's a problem if the picture is suddenly converted to snow. However, this can be cleared up easily by cleaning the head with a commercial head cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. This does require opening up the machine. I have a knowledgeable friend who takes care of this for me, but handier folks should be able to do this themselves.
Set up instructions could be clearer
The manual is not the clearest in explaining how to set up and configure the VCR. Since this is the second Sharp VCR I've owned, I did not have a problem, but a new user might.
This VCR can be set up to work using a cable box or satellite dish as a program source. There are also inputs on the front of the VCR for easy camcorder connection. Note that if you have digital cable, you can still record using this analog VCR even after analog broadcasts go away in Feb, 2009. I don't think it will work with antennas after that date even if you get a digital converter box for your TV.
Ok, someday I might get a DVR. But for now, I'm happy with my Sharp VCR, its clear recordings, and its ease of use.
