VCRs that will last forever

[Whirled One]

Originally Posted by waltchan

As far as I can remember from history, Panasonic used "Omnivision" because they have always supported 3 recording speeds (SP, LP, SLP/EP), which means "all" vision in "all" recording speeds. Panasonic PV-1200, introduced in 1979, is the first Panasonic VCR ever made with 3 recording speeds.

Well, I can see your logic, and that sounds right about 1979 being the first year with 3 speeds. However, Panasonic (Matsushita) started making VHS VCRs in 1977, and those only had two speeds (SP/LP). From what I can find on the web, Panasonic was using the Omnivsion name on VHS VCRs right from the get-go, which would mean that not all Panasonic Omnivision VHS VCRs have support for EP (originally known as SLP). [For that matter, Panasonic kept using the Omnivision name even after they phased out recording support for the LP speed] Perhaps when Panasonic started heavily promoting the new 6-hour capabilities of their VCRs, people started associating the "Omnivision" name with "3-speed" VHS decks..?

Also, that wouldn't explain the "Omnivision" name on Pansonic's earlier EIAJ-cartridge format VCRs. (...and those only supported 1 recording speed, same as EIAJ open-reel tape)

Well, at least "Omnivision" was a better choice of a recycled Panasonic trade name than the alternatives, such as the rather klutzy-sounding "Tape-A-Vision". ...Or, they could have introduced their VHS product line as "M-VISION" to go with their 3/4-inch "U-VISION" VCR line. ...And at least they didn't get the same people to name their VHS VCRs as they did for some of their portable radios and such in the 1970's-- imagine the Panasonic "Toot-a-Tube" or "VideoPet" or perhaps the "Re-Tell-A-Vision".