4 Head Hi Fi Stereo VCR Auto DBS RecordLink Automatic Channel Setup Automatic Clock Setting with Time Zone Automatic Head Cleaner Automatic Operation Features Automatic Tracking Adjustment Blue Background Child Lock Daylight-Savings Time Display Panel Front Panel Menu Access Hi-Fi Stereo Sound System High Quality (HQ) System MTS (Multi-Channel Television Sound) System 19 micron head - Improves the picture quality of tapes recorded in SLP On-Screen Displays in English or Spanish One-Touch Recording Real-Time Counter Repeat Play Search Functions: Quick Search; Time Search; Index Search; Record End Search; Skip Search ShowGuard - Indefinite Timer Recording memory Special Effects Playback: Forward and Reverse Searching; Still; Variable Slow; Frame Advance The VCR Plus+ Programming System The upscale VRA671 AT is Philips's topnotch home-theater VCR. This unit offers such welcome amenities as a four-head tape transport; hi-fi stereo sound; one-touch recording; VCR Plus+ (which simplifies recording by allowing you to input program codes from your local TV listings); front-panel camcorder inputs; a Smart Picture control; an automated clock setting; head cleaning; and tuner setup. As if this list of goodies wasn't long enough, the VRA671 AT adds front-panel access to the excellent onscreen menus, a ShowGuard perpetual timer-recording memory system, and a more comprehensive display panel. The VRA671 also includes a first-rate remote control unit: the most frequently used keys are backlit, making them accessible in a darkened room. If you tend to misplace things, you'll appreciate the remote locator, which prompts the handset to beep for 30 seconds when you push the VCR's power button. Throughout our evaluations, the VRA671 AT functioned flawlessly; its transport responded to commands instantly and it had less motor noise than most other VCRs we've tested. Better still, both audio and video performance were surprisingly good for a unit in this price range. Special effects--fast-, slow-, and still-frame playback--were exceptionally clear and stable. This machine impressed us with its natural color rendition on rental tapes. Flesh tones were neither too red nor too muted, and landscape scenes portrayed grass in natural shades of green. Image sharpness was also quite good, as demonstrated by the fine reproduction of small details. If you think all VCRs sound the same, the VR671 AT will change your mind. In both record and playback modes, voices sounded less artificial or "electronic" than they often do through other machines. Not surprisingly, those big-ticket action films sound their best with the VRA671 AT. Even the tuner section sounded great, as we discovered when using this player to enjoy network television broadcasts. Whether you're buying a VCR as the nucleus of a home theater, to record favorite programs, or simply to babysit the kids, Philips's VR-671 AT will meet or surpass your expectations. --Anthony Chiarella Pros:
4-head tape transport for excellent special effects
