Sony SLV-777VP — VHS hi-fi video recorder with audio recording, jog dial and shuttle ring
Overlooked as an audio machine: via its line inputs the SLV-777VP also records plain stereo sound onto the hi-fi track. The level is set by hand, the peak program meter follows along and monitoring runs through the headphone output on the front — in LP mode an E-240 cassette holds eight hours in one go.
Video editing remains its home ground as well: behind the front flap sit a jog dial and a shuttle ring of the kind normally found at editing benches. They allow the tape to be searched in both directions, held still and advanced frame by frame. At 466 millimetres wide and just under eight kilograms, the chassis is noticeably more substantial than that of plain domestic machines. For collections that are being viewed, dubbed or digitised today this remains the more comfortable way of working.
Recording audio in hi-fi quality:
The hi-fi sound of a VHS recorder is created differently from that of a cassette deck. It is not drawn past a stationary head as a linear track but written frequency-modulated into the tape coating by two rotating audio heads, underneath the picture information — a method known as depth multiplexing. Because the heads rotate, the speed between head and tape is many times higher than the tape transport itself. VHS hi-fi therefore carries the full audible range with a wide dynamic range; and because pitch depends on the servo-controlled head drum rather than on the slow tape transport, wow and flutter play practically no role.
This machine is equipped for the task: via Line In 2 on the front or the SCART socket Line 1 it records stereo sound from an FM tuner, an amplifier or other audio equipment. Two REC LEVEL controls and the peak program meter allow the level to be set by hand; the manual gives separate guide values for records and CDs and expressly reckons with the wide dynamic range of a hi-fi recording. In simulcast mode two audio paths run in parallel: TV sound onto the linear track, FM stereo onto the hi-fi track. Monitoring runs through the adjustable headphone output, and the audio monitor switches between stereo, left or right channel and the linear track. That way you can capture radio broadcasts and concerts, archive records and open-reel tapes or record long live takes without changing the cassette.
Highlights & Features
7-head transport with hi-fi stereo sound
Jog dial and shuttle ring on the unit and on the remote: tape travel in both directions, frame-by-frame, slow motion and double speed; releasing the control leaves a still picture
Digital Picture — digital frame store for steady still images and a switchable subsidiary picture (picture in picture) that can be moved to the preferred corner
Edit monitor: shows the source picture and the picture being recorded on this deck at the same time on the TV
Flying erase head: the rotary erase head produces clean transitions without interference bands at the edit point
Separate audio and video insert: video insert replaces picture plus hi-fi sound, audio insert only the linear track — both can be combined
Synchro edit via Control L (LANC) and Control S in/out; EDIT key for dubbing
Manual audio level control with two REC LEVEL knobs and peak program meter, microphone input with plug-in power on the front; audio monitor switches between stereo, left or right channel and the linear track
Audio recording via Line In 2 or SCART Line 1, plus simulcast mode (TV sound on the linear track, FM stereo on the hi-fi track)
Two SCART sockets (Line 1 with on-screen display, Line 3) plus front AV input Line In 2 for a camcorder
Sharpness control (soft/sharp) and adjustable headphone output on the front
Auto tracking, plus manual tracking and still-picture correction (tracking normal/slow, still adjust)
Data screen overlays tape counter, remaining time, date and clock; index search, quick timer and function memory
High speed rewind: rewinds an E-195 cassette in around 2 minutes 50
Command mode VTR 1/2/3 — several Sony recorders can be controlled separately
Technical Data:
7 heads (4 x video, 2 x audio for hi-fi stereo sound, 1 x rotary erase head)
VHS (PAL), additionally GDR SECAM colour signal
Max. recording time: 8 hours (LP with E-240), 4 hours (SP with E-240)
Rewind time: approx. 2 min 50 sec (E-195, high speed rewind), approx. 4 min 20 sec in normal mode
Timer: 8 recordings within one month
Dimensions (W×H×D): 466 × 96.5 × 395 mm
Weight: 7.9 kg
Connections
2 x SCART (EURO-AV Line 1 and Line 3, rear)
Line Out: video + audio L/R RCA (rear)
Line In 2: video + audio L/R RCA (front)
Control S in/out (mini jack, rear)
Control L (LANC, 5-pin DIN connector, front)
Microphone input (mini jack, front)
Headphone output (stereo mini jack, adjustable, front)
Aerial input and output (coaxial)
Condition & warranty
This unit is used and has been refurbished by us: it is inspected and reconditioned in our specialist workshop before being released for sale. It comes with a 12-month Positron-e workshop warranty — a genuine functional warranty that also covers drive and wear parts (full details in our warranty terms). The warranty applies in addition to your statutory warranty rights of at least 24 months — these rights remain unaffected.
