Mitsubishi S-VHS recorder review on the same page:
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HS-U770 S-VHS VCR
Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc.
6100 Atlantic Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30071
($949)
Mitsubishi's HS-U770 is the next generation in their line of HS-U series of VCRs. Carried over from previous models are the synchro edit functions, hi-fi stereo audio, audio/video inserts and a high quality tape transport. For those wishing to put together a simple editing setup with the resolution of S-VHS, the HS-U770 will be a good choice either as a source or record deck.
The HS-U770 is visually similar to earlier HS-U units we've probed. A fluorescent display dominates the front of the unit's flat black case. The case is very smooth in appearance with a minimum of transport controls placed around the unit's jog/shuttle knob. These controls provide good tactile response and are easy to use. Overall, the HS-U770 has an attractive, uncluttered look.
What you get
Dominating the tape transport controls is the jog/shuttle knob. As with most jog/shuttle knobs, this one offers four different speeds in either direction if used while a tape is playing. However, if you pause the tape before using the knob, an additional slow-motion speed becomes available. The slow-motion effect is a bit jerky, but is valuable in searching for specific points while editing. An adjust dial in the center allows for frame-by-frame searches.
Near the jog/shuttle is the PerfecTape button. When you press this button, the unit plays and evaluates a small portion of your inserted tape. It then displays a rating of the tape quality and adjusts its record electronics for best performance.
A doorway on the left of the front panel opens on a set of audio/video inputs for use with other VCRs, and the controls for setting audio levels and making audio/video inserts. Also found here, and new for the HS-U series, is a headphone jack with volume control.
You will also find a button here that activates the on-screen display. This will indicate elapsed and remaining tape times, TV channel viewed, signal source, time and the status of the Child Lock function. Child lock is a feature that stops children from messing up your VCR adjustments, or from watching the wrong tapes.
The front panel display offers all the information you will ever need to know, including indicators for A/V inserts, tape speed and selected audio functions. A pair of LED meters located here display your level settings while recording. The display also indicates TV channel and transport status.
At the rear of the HS-U770 are the antenna connections and connectors for composite and S-video in, audio in, two sets of audio out and composite or S-video out. Also found here are the Mitsubishi Active A/V Network connectors. The Active A/V Network connectors allow Mitsubishi products to "talk" to one another through remote control commands.
On the rear of the unit you will also find the Edit connection. Mitsubishi does not claim that this connection will control the pause on other deck brands. Past tests seem to have proven otherwise. You will have to make up your own cable if you wish to try synchro editing with another brand of deck. Most synchro edit jacks use the 1/8-inch mini phone plug, rather than Mistubishi's RCA connector.
The Mitsubishi comes with a full-featured remote control. Every VCR function except A/V inserts is controllable from the remote. The remote's jog/shuttle knob performs every function of the deck's knob and doubles as a fine tracking adjuster. The remote's jog/shuttle knob is easier to use than the slightly recessed deck's knob.
A feature found only on the remote is Function Audio/Video. It allows for monitoring and mixing of any of the audio tracks, turning on or off the audio meters, checking record speed and toggling a dubbing setting that electronically improves your dubs and edits.
Using it
Editing performance was my first interest and when hooked up with Mitsubishi's earlier HS-U650 VHS deck, edits came to within about ten frames of accuracy. This is consistent with earlier tests of Mitsubishi decks with this feature and is not bad at all for synchro editing.
Video inserts are very clean thanks to the HS-U770's dual flying erase heads, but for best accuracy, use the manual's out-point/in-point method of inserting. As in previous models, if you use the HS-U770 as a source deck while synchro editing, it will pre-roll before the edit takes place, providing a more stable edit.
The tape transport is very stable and provides at least a somewhat recognizable picture at all shuttle speeds. This makes it very easy to locate scenes for editing.
Overall, the HS-U770 is a good VCR with solid features and high quality sound and picture. If Mitsubishi added an editing protocol (as Sony did by adding control-L to an S-VHS model), this unit would sell like hotcakes. For straight-cuts synchro editing, it will be hard to beat.
Technical Specifications - Mitsubishi HS-U770 S-VHS VCR
Format - S-VHS
Video inputs - Composite (x2), S-video
Video outputs - Composite (x2), S-video
Audio inputs - Stereo (x2)
Audio outputs - Stereo (x2)
Remote control - Setup menu, index marks, tracking, A/V functions, volume, TV channel, all deck transport controls
Control protocol - Mitsubishi edit jack
Other features - Front panel LED audio meters and level control, dual flying erase heads, audio/video insert, high speed rewind, auto head cleaning, headphone jack, cable box control
Dimensions - 3 3/4 (height) x 16 5/8 (width) x 12 3/4 (depth) inches
Weight - 14 1/2
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