Not bad! Sometimes, I wish they made DVD players these days that could do that. I would love to be able to navigate my own menus and stuff of that sort. I am blind and I think me and this lovely VCR would have gotten along very well in my younger days.
Goldstar-made unit circa 1999. I remember seeing this VCR on display in the stores. Though I thought it was cheap-looking, I was also intrigued by the unique design with the shaped buttons and all. I almost got it based on the cool buttons alone, but went for the Zenith/Inteq IQVB423 instead. It also has SpeakEZ programming (as did all Zenith VCR models made that year), but it was much higher-end looking with the 17" wide design and a much more comprehensive VFD display with audio level indicators, etc. Very impressive looking for a Goldstar-built vcr of that later period. It's still working today.
Everything (not just VCRs) has upgradeable firmware. Just not field upgradable ones. On the ROM chip there's probably a "REV" sticker stating the version it runs.
I had a VCR, also a Zenith with this feature. It was a mono 2-head unit we got in like 1999. I think the voice might've been a bit different but it was still recorded samples and not synthesized.
i had quite a few VHS tapes when i was a kid for various cartoons and movies and i liked looking at the strangely shaped holes on the backs of the casettes also i used to have a magnavox TV and VHS/disc player combo which worked perfectly until one day the VHS system malfunctioned where when i inserted a tape as soon as the system pulls the casette to the video head, i would hear a loud noise that sounds like a jam noise and then the TV would randomly shut off
I imagine this VCR could serve the visually impaired. I know my grandfather could use it (if he was still interested in his old VHS collection, that is.)
The head cleaner is actuated by the post that wraps the tape around the head. It bumps against the plastic tail attached to the spongy bit and makes it touch the head briefly.
What a nice VCR! Bring visually impaired these sorts of things are more than just a gimmick. I especially like the talking Freeview box I used at college, it announced the name and short description of the TV show in the programme guide.
I wich you could get into more detail why the picture is so stable & sharp, no fuzzy scattering lines or reversed lines on top & bothem of the screen. That’s amezing.
and the reason databits i subscribe to his channel and hit all after i hit notification bell is that im here for that to see zenith protects but dont worry databits can bring new freshly different contents. instead of the stale same old one that was rehashed.
Looks like it was designed for visually impaired users, also judging by the size and symbols of the buttons on the front panel. Also, the flutter on that recording is terrible, was it caused by the tape or by a bad transport?
8:29 this feels like *telephone based hotline service!* I will dial, and the pre-recorded woman gave user option which can be selected using numbers. But this time, *you are feeling like dialing a visual VCR machine!* Perfect for blind!
Some old machines are fascinating in how the did things...like laserdisc/CD turner things, that are not turning...where a caddy does all the work...very creative ways were found to accomplish different things...subscribed to channel after third video...good work!!! *8:26* yes it is *lol* was shaking my head in disbelieve when she started to speak =D
Were there ever any VCRs that output S Video? I know S Video wouldn’t really improve the resolution of VHS (240 lines) but wouldn’t it be a bit more clearer and the colors sharper? I’m not an expert in S Video, but doesn’t it separate the luminance and chroma signals or something along those lines?
I always wondered why some manufacturers used that "elevator" style pinch roller. That just added mechanical complexity when a "standard" roller just pivots over a short distance.
VCRs fascinate me. Any vintage electronics really. I mean yes technology has come a long way with DVDs then digital but when you look at these VCRs or cassette players or vintage HiFi systems there is just so much mechanical components going on internally. I really think even though we are more advanced now, the ones who built these devices had to know alot more. Like a DVD player. A disc spins and a laser shines on the DVD but with a vcr there is just so many moving parts that all have to move at the right moment and if they aren't exact you would end up with a bunch of tape jammed in the machine or other issues. Idk I just like to watch mechanical mechanisms at work.
the sound effect for the screen transitions you used such as at 1:05 made me wonder... Did I log into World of Warcraft? I actually took the video off full screen just to check if WoW was currently running in the background (it wasn't).. The sound is the same sound effect WoW uses when you're on a flying mount and take off from the ground.
WE HAD THIS WHEN I WAS A CHILD. Don't have it anymore...dumbass me and my dumbass friend, found it in my families shed and took it apart while it was still plugged in. Long story short, we almost burnt the house down😂😂😂
1:10 Indonesian made? I didn't even know it was assembled here... tbh, much like Dreamcast! Might be an old time when China wasn't really centered for mass production...
I have one that is similar to that one, but it's a later model from 2001 and the synthesized voice feature sounds a little bit different (it sounded lower pitched). It also had the same exact on screen menu. Unfortunately, my unit could no longer record and playback tapes (I believe it might be a mechanism problem).
In order to reproduce HiFi sound from a tape, the tape has to be recorded with HiFi audio. Maybe you could record something on a blank tape to test the HiFi sound
This VCR actually has decent playback quality, considering the 240 line resolution. Or were you just lucky to have a tape, that hardly has done any playback and still looks good?
There was a series of Betamax VCRs that had a built-in speaker and a voice synth on them! The model was SL-2410. Also your VCR seems to have an issue because I heard a lot of wow and flutter on the sample video playback.
Well, I heavily doubt any prerecorded tape you may find is recorded in EP speed. The demonstrated tape is a promotional video for St. Louis University, and has been uploaded in full on this channel right after this video.
8:46 So the University sent out VHS tapes to prospective students? Or was it meant to be shown in front of a class of high-schoolers? 9:04 Is it not uploaded yet?
