A wired remote in 1983!
 

This has to be one of the last sets to use a wired remote!

http://cgi.ebay.com/PANASONIC-AC-DC-...QQcmdZViewItem

Wow, that is interesting. :scratch2: Wonder if the cable is removable, and if it was made corded so you couldn't lose it? :D

Yes, that's probably the last one. The only things I saw of that vintage with a wired remote were a few VCR's. I think most everyone had gone to IR remote by '83. I think Zenith used an ultrasonic remote as late as '80 or '81. It will be interesting to see what that little Panasonic will go for.

I have one of those, I think I gave $20-25 for it. Mine's in almost pristine shape. The 'pod" is permanently attached, big long thick clunky cord, they would have done well to have left it off, IMHO. Good picture, on my particular set, anyway.

My 1981 Zenith 19" has ultrasonic, so it may have been among the last. Especially since my 1983 'space command' 19inch uses IR.

Once had a Sharp VCR from 1982-3 with wired remote, thought it was the coolest thing ever! :D

I still have my working Hitachi VCR from 1984 that has a corded remote. It plugs into a headphone jack on the front. :D

VCRs all had wired remote controls at first, well after TVs commonly included IR remotes. The best one I remember was the Sony SL-5800 remote control. That VCR was the first to have freeze frame and slow motion without the big snow bar visible on all other models with those features. The slow motion was variable speed with a rotary or slide pot on the remote control, which also controlled play, fast forward/reverse scan, etc.

The first VCR to have an IR remote control was a Mitsubishi, model HS-300U in 1980.

I had an RCA VCR with an option for a wired remote, or an add on IR remote box receiver that clipped on the the side of the machine. VFT456 IIRC. Think I still have it, though it probably no longer works (bad belts?). It's in storage right now.

Last wired VHS VCR remote is an Orion...
 

Just for your reference, the last VHS VCR to use a wired remote was made by Orion in 1985, under the Emerson and TMK brands. They also used light-bulb sensor lamps inside the chassis.