JVC W-VHS VCRs difference W5 vs. W7?
 

I recently bought a JVC/Victor HR-W5 unit off an auction site. I'll post pics of it here with a detailed description of its features and quality once it arrives.

Something I've been curious to know about is the two most recommended W-VHS VCRs are the JVC W5U/W5 and the W7U/W7. Whenever I would search online for W-VHS VCRs for sale, the one that always shows up the most is the W5.

Is this because the HR-W5 has superior features and playback quality? Or is the W7 just very rare to find?

It's a rare format and any machine is rare, In terms of playback I highly doubt there is any difference between the two, In terms of other features that no one needs anymore like editing there maybe some differences.

Looking at the spec pdfs linked here it looks like the W7U has some extra editing features like serial control and time code output, plus uses BNC connectors instead of RCA ones.

There is also an older SR-W320U which probably differs a bit more. They're all pretty rare though.

Just arrived today. Something that I'm going to need a little help with is identifying what each button does. Except for 629TBC, I tried pressing some of them, including turning the dials, and noticed no change.
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My Japanese is a little rusty, but I think the first pic means 629TBC "ON", and the second pic means 629TBC "OFF"
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On your phone use google image translator, Works for me on an iPhone 6 with no problems.