SVHS Recorders: Sony SLV-R1000 vs. Panasonic AG-1980
Ron Kalil
My Sony SLV-R5U has developed a threading problem after 6 years and
with much apprehension I have taken it in for repair. Perhaps this
problem is just the first foot dropping, and so I have been thinking
about purchasing a new machine. I've narrowed the choices to two; the
Sony SLV-R1000, which may not be as good as the R5U, and the Panasonic
AG-1980. My primary concerns are picture quality, build quality and
reliability. Editing features or bells and whistles are not important.
The R5U produces an excellent picture and if either the R1000 or the
1980 is as good, I will be satisified. However, there is no opportunity
where I live to see either VCR first hand, and therefore I am wondering
if anyone has an opinion on the rlative merits of these two VCRs.
Thanks
Ron Kalil
Kurtis Bahr
If you plan to rent tapes or also play VHS tapes you need to consider
this. I have never seen a SVHS machine excell at both VHS and SVHS like
the R5. I'd personnally compair the SVO-2000 instead of the SLV-1000 as
the 2000 gives you balance and volume controls for the input audio
signal verses volume only on the 1000. The AG-1980 is a very good SVHS
machine but I've heard rumors that it is not as good in the VHS mode.
The SVO-2000 is a industrial packaged SLV-1000 and the AG-1980 is an
industrial packaged comsumer design.
If it were me I would consider which handles VHS the best and get it. I
would tend to say the AG-1980 might be slightly better for SVHS from
what everyone states. You'll never find another one as good as the R5.
Mike Nassouri
Kurtis Bahr wrote:
>
> Ron Kalil wrote:
> >
> > My Sony SLV-R5U has developed a threading problem after 6 years and
> > with much apprehension I have taken it in for repair. Perhaps this
> > problem is just the first foot dropping, and so I have been thinking
> > about purchasing a new machine. I've narrowed the choices to two; the
> > Sony SLV-R1000, which may not be as good as the R5U, and the Panasonic
> > AG-1980. My primary concerns are picture quality, build quality and
> > reliability. Editing features or bells and whistles are not important.
> > The R5U produces an excellent picture and if either the R1000 or the
> > 1980 is as good, I will be satisified. However, there is no opportunity
> > where I live to see either VCR first hand, and therefore I am wondering
> > if anyone has an opinion on the rlative merits of these two VCRs.
>
The AG-1980 is a very good SVHS
> machine but I've heard rumors that it is not as good in the VHS mode.
To chime in here...I ran three 1970s for two years, six hours a day,
recording newscasts and using the machines to dub SVHS tape to BetacamSP
for broadcast.
Never a complaint from any of the machines, besides a routine head
cleaning now and then.
I've NEVER seen ANY VHS-type machine (outside of the $3500 and up
editors) play VHS or SVHS tape as nicely as the Panasonic AG1970/1980
series. Built like tanks, they put the Sony consumer stuff to shame.
And this from a tech whos every OTHER piece of equipment is Sony.
Buy the Panasonic. In an instant over the Sony.
> The SVO-2000 is a industrial packaged SLV-1000 and the AG-1980 is an
> industrial packaged comsumer design.
>
> If it were me I would consider which handles VHS the best and get it. I
> would tend to say the AG-1980 might be slightly better for SVHS from
> what everyone states. You'll never find another one as good as the R5.
--
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Hector Santos
Ron Kalil wrote:
>
> about purchasing a new machine. I've narrowed the choices to two; the
> Sony SLV-R1000, which may not be as good as the R5U, and the Panasonic
> AG-1980. My primary concerns are picture quality, build quality and
> reliability. Editing features or bells and whistles are not important.
The SLV-R1000 costs $800 at this time due to price drop. The AG-1980 is
around $1200. One great factor you shgould consider.
---
Hector Santos <hect...@ibm.net> Los Angeles
"A Philippine Leaf" at http://www.bibingka.com/dahon
Hector Santos
Mike Nassouri wrote:
>
> Hector Santos wrote:
> >
> > Ron Kalil wrote:
> > >
> > > about purchasing a new machine. I've narrowed the choices to two; the
> > > Sony SLV-R1000, which may not be as good as the R5U, and the Panasonic
> > > AG-1980. My primary concerns are picture quality, build quality and
> > > reliability. Editing features or bells and whistles are not important.
> >
> > The SLV-R1000 costs $800 at this time due to price drop. The AG-1980 is
> > around $1200. One great factor you shgould consider.
> >
> case you DO get what you pay for!
Granted, but their prices used to be close to each other, so I guess you
didn't get what you paid for then.
You probably didn't pay attention to Ron Kalil's original post where he
said he didn't care about editing capabilities or bells and whistles. He
wouldn't use what he would pay for anyway.
Brent Best
Ron Kalil wrote:
>
> I've narrowed the choices to two; the
> Sony SLV-R1000, which may not be as good as the R5U, and the Panasonic
> AG-1980. My primary concerns are picture quality, build quality and
> reliability. Editing features or bells and whistles are not important.
> if anyone has an opinion on the rlative merits of these two VCRs.
> Ron Kalil
Buy the Panasonic for the best picture. The digital signal processing
and noise reduction will floor you. Playback is always better than
original. Panasonic is not the greatest in the edit department,
though. Even with the flying erase heads, rainbow "blips" show up on
dark screen edit points half the time.
Edmund
Buy the Panasonic, in my 30 years working in video this is one of the
few brands/products I can recommend with total confidence.
The built-in TBC, Comb Filter, etc. are the best, the mechanical system
is also superior to all other's S-VHS in the market.
AG-1980 is a real "pro" machine.
Good Luck!
Edmund.
Ron Kalil wrote:
>
> My Sony SLV-R5U has developed a threading problem after 6 years and
> with much apprehension I have taken it in for repair. Perhaps this
> problem is just the first foot dropping, and so I have been thinking
> about purchasing a new machine. I've narrowed the choices to two; the
> Sony SLV-R1000, which may not be as good as the R5U, and the Panasonic
> AG-1980. My primary concerns are picture quality, build quality and
> reliability. Editing features or bells and whistles are not important.
> The R5U produces an excellent picture and if either the R1000 or the
> 1980 is as good, I will be satisified. However, there is no opportunity
> where I live to see either VCR first hand, and therefore I am wondering
> if anyone has an opinion on the rlative merits of these two VCRs.
> Thanks
> Ron Kalil
--
---------------------------------------------------
Edmundo C Battaglini
Design Engineer at TenLab, USA.
**Visit TenLab home page "http://www.tenlab.com"**
----------------------------------------------------
Susan Sanders
In article <346294...@ibm.net> Hector Santos, hect...@ibm.net
writes:
>The SLV-R1000 costs $800 at this time due to price drop. The AG-1980 is
>around $1200. One great factor you shgould consider.
Availability has been a problem with the SLV-R1000; anybody know of an
actual source for this VCR (which I'm interested in specifically because
of its bells and whistles, and because I've had excellent performance
from my current Sony VCR)?
Hector Santos
Camera World of Oregon has them for $799.
Kenneth R. Crudup
In article <649v40$en6$1...@newbabylon.rs.itd.umich.edu>,
Susan Sanders <ssan...@uuumich.edu> says:
>Availability has been a problem with the SLV-R1000; anybody know of an
>actual source for this VCR (which I'm interested in specifically because
>of its bells and whistles, and because I've had excellent performance
>from my current Sony VCR)?
I know for a fact that "Cambridge Soundworks" (if there's one in your area)
can get one for you; mine's waiting to be picked up tomorrow. However, expect
to pay "Crutchfield" prices.
I'd've loved to have an AG-1980, but I had a CS store credit I had to use.
-Kenny
--
Kenneth R. Crudup, Unix & OS/2 Software Consultant, Scott County Consulting
ke...@panix.com CI$: 75032,3044 +1 617 524 5929/4949 Home/Office
16 Plainfield St, Boston, MA 02130-3633 +1 617 983 9410 Fax
"Oh my God! They killed Kenny!" - Stan, "South Park"