Sony Scroe - EV-S900 Hi-8 VCR

[MAXZ28]

I normally don't get too excited about gear finds but in this case, I have been wanting a decent 8mm VCR for years. I had bought one off ebay a few years ago - an EV-S550 - but it only lasted a few tape transfers before it died on me and I never got around to having it repaired or replaced.

Well today, while browsing the local CL, I stumbled upon this for 1/3rd the price I paid for the EV-S550.

Pleased as punch with this beauty!

FEATURES:

$2400 MSRP
• Sony TOP-OF-THE LINE ES Series Unit.
• High-End Home Video Equipment.
• NTSC Video System.
• Hi8/8mm Video System.
• Hi8 Format Delivers 400 Lines of Resolution and Consistent, Clear Image Reproduction for Superior Editing Results.
• Tray Loading System (w/ Open & Close buttons).
• AFM HiFi Stereo Sound (w/ Audio Monitor: PCM/Mix/HIFI).
• PCM Digital Stereo Sound (w/ Audio Dubbing).
• PCM Digital Multi Audio System (6 Tracks, 2 Channels/Track. Parallel or Series recording).
• SP/LP Record and Playback Modes.
• Playback x 2 with Sound.
• Flying Erase Head.
• Advanced Synchro Edit
• High-Speed Rewind
• Tape Stabilizer.
• 12-Segment Led Peak Level Meter with independent L/R sliding audio level controls for manually setting PCM recording levels
• Digital Still / Slow Motion / Frame-by-Frame playback
• Synchro Edit Function
• Picture Sharpness Control
• Edit Switch
• Auto Tracking
• Control L & Control S Synchronized Editing Connectors.
• VTR 1/2 Command Modes and Real Jog Dial/Shuttle Ring Control on Unit.
• 2 Inputs, 2 Outputs: Gold Plated S-Video/Video/Setereo Audio Connectors.
• VHF/UHF Input/Output. Channel 3/4 Switch. Built-In Tuner.
• Mic, Headphone Connectors.
• Wooden Side Panels

 

[ericzim]

DATS a nice one.

 

[Cadillac Kid]

I have one and it is an excellent unit. I bought mine to use for transferring some tapes with the audio recorded as PCM multi-audio. It is one of the few deck with this feature.

 

[Numistrek09]

I'm envious. I've been wanting a Hi8 VCR for awhile now too! Got 12 years worth of home movies on that format.

 

[AnalogDigit]

Very nice deck!

 

[MisterFishey]

Dang, that is one impressive deck. Never knew that one existed! Truly the creme de la creme of 8mm decks. I need to pick up one of those decks sometime to transfer all my old 8mm home movies to digital. :yes:

 

[bjg111]

Can't get old tapes to play back in stereo

I have several Hi8 tapes that were recorded on a Sony CCD VX-3. They play back in STEREO from the VX-3 using either headphone jack or L&R RCA outs. I cannot get them to playback in stereo on my EV-S900 VCR. This otherwise awesome VCR is throwing me a curveball here. They playback in mono. Any clue?

 

[12ax7]

Very nice. It reminds me a lot of my old SL-HF750 SuperBeta.

 

[Daunia 70]

Wow! That's one smart looking awesomely built Hi-8 deck!