sharp vc-ml3
 

thinking of getting one for play back only,
does any one have any advice about this machine?
thanks
mike

The loading mechanism is fragile, in my opinion. They used that mech in quite a few models, and it tends to get 'dorked' if kids have been at it.

Hi Mike.

I have two of these machines, although I can only find one at the moment. I will tell you about my one, it might answer your questions.

Anyway, I put one onto my workbench to try it out for you. The machine came with an Australian power cord so was intended for the Australia, New Zealand, China markets. The two available languages available through the menu system are, you guessed it, English, and Chinese.

I had the machine hooked-up to a 12” portable as the VCR does not have a speaker. It does however have a headphone socket with a level control. The little LCD display has a narrow viewing angle. To see the picture as well as possible, the display MUST be at eye level.

The machine appears able to playback just about any tape. Not sure about about recording formats though. Because the display has a blue background, a loss of video signal causes a green screen.
The machine was made in 1997, surprisingly, according to the date code, on the day I made that fatal mistake and said, “I do.”

As to the reliability of the mechanism, I did a training course on the new mechanism when it was introduced about two years earlier. I never saw one break. I took some photos if anyone is interested, but I warn you, to me it is a bit of an ugly duckling as far as styling goes.

Wayne.