Absolutely no problems (so far)!

***
BRIEF UPDATE INSERTED HERE:
IT'S BEEN ABOUT ONE MONTH SINCE I INITIALLY POSTED THE BELOW REVIEW; AND, SO FAR, THIS VCR CONTINUES TO PERFORM PERFECTLY IN ALL RESPECTS.
***


Preliminary discussion: "Why buy a VCR at all?"

Why in the world would I buy an ordinary (stand-alone, "old-fashioned") VCR at this juncture when DVD/VCR "combo" or "hybrid" units are (evidently) far more popular? Well, I partly wanted this VCR to function as a "switchbox" for attaching a preexisting DVD player to an old TV set in a "home gym" in my unfinished basement (the TV itself lacks any audio/video-input jacks). But I also figured on still viewing more than a few old, hard-to-find VHS videos (not to mention an occasional "time-shifted" TV show).

[Note: Bear in mind that Emerson's model EWV404 does not include stereo audio. Thus, even a connected DVD player won't actually be able to play in stereo. If you do want stereo, you'll have to buy a costlier VCR model (such as Emerson's look-alike EWV604). For my intended (basement/home-gym) use of this particular VCR, "monophonic audio" didn't bother me; most of the videos I happen to view in that area of my home are not modern Hollywood blockbusters but rather documentaries or other varieties of programming not necessarily requiring stereo playback capability.]

I had always had pretty good luck with products bearing the "Emerson" logo. And, especially considering that VCR's increasingly seem like "yesterday's technology", I didn't want to spend any more money than necessary for this item.

Therefore, I unhesitatingly shelled out a mere $39.87 at my local Wal-Mart for this "bottom-end" model, which, incidentally, happened to be the only pure ("non-hybrid") VCR product Wal-Mart still carried. (Note: With the term "hybrid" I refer to those currently common products comprising both a VCR and a DVD player.) [BTW, I discovered that Best Buy, for example, doesn't even stock ordinary VCR's anymore; in fact, their sales person's tone sounded a bit incredulous--if not mildly irritated--upon hearing me request one!]

Only after returning home and setting up this Emerson VCR did I (confessedly belatedly!) bother to consult Epinions' customer reviews regarding this product--or, more precisely, its look-alike predecessor, the model EWV403. Ironically, it may turn out to have been just as well that (in this unusual instance) I hadn't done my proverbial homework. For, if I had only known that there were (nearly) no positive reviews of that model, I might not have given this (hopefully somewhat improved) model a chance, and I'd likely have spent considerably more money for an alternative brand of VCR from "J & R Music World" (actually "JR.com") or some other such "mail order" vendor still stocking (what appear to be) higher quality "non-hybrid" VCR's. [If you're seeking an "ordinary" VCR and you absolutely demand "high-end quality" (not to mention the formerly ubiquitous "LED tape counter" feature) and you don't mind paying considerably more than $100, I strongly suggest you do take a gander at the still available "non-hybrid" VCR's from such dedicated electronics vendors as JR.com, et al.]

Many other customer reviewers reported that this Emerson unit's predecessor, the model EWV403, repeatedly "eats" tapes, especially near the end of the tapes. In fact, I also noticed that exactly one reviewer (in the model EWV403 section) reported experiencing the very same "tape-eating" problem with this model (EWV404). [Rest assured that I'll promptly "update" this review if my unit ever eats even one tape!]

While the latter report, admittedly, didn't exactly inspire confidence, I've had enough past experience with various "negatively reviewed" electronic products actually working well (and long) for me; therefore, my present intention is to cross my fingers and hope that this unit continues to please me fully as much as it's been doing so far. I suppose that if it does eventually "eat" even one tape, that will be confirmation that I "bought badly", but at least my monetary investment will not have been huge.

Manufacturer's web page for this model:

Before proceeding to discuss my own "hands-on" impressions, I should mention that you can study Emerson's own list of features for this product by pasting the following URL onto your web browser's address line:
http://www.emersonaudiovideo.com/products/vcr/ewv404.html

The most salient product features from that page are as follows (and especially be aware that Emerson's term "LED Display" actually merely refers to the five little "idiot lights" on the console's front panel):

4-Head Mono Recording/Playback
181-Channel Auto-Set PLL Frequency Synthesized Tuner
Still-Frame, Frame Advance, and Slow-Motion Play
19 Micron Heads
27-Key Remote Control
Digital Tracking plus Time Search and Index Search
LED Display
On-Screen Menu Display in English, French, or Spanish
1-Year/8-Event Programmable Timer System
30-Second Program Memory Back-Up
Real-Time Counter (OSD)
Full Automatic Power-Play System
One-Touch Timer Recording (30-480 Minutes)
Auto Repeat-Play Capable
Front AV Inputs
Auto Head Cleaner
Two-step (5x and 15x) High Speed Picture Search (SLP)
Three-Speed Playback (SP/LP/SLP) / Two-Speed Record (SP/SLP)
Product Dimensions:
14 3/16" W x 3 5/8" H x 8 1/2" D, 3.97 lbs.
Carton Dimensions:
16 13/16" W x 6 11/16" H x 10 7/8" D, 5.29 lbs.
U.L. Listed


Attractive appearance.

For what it's worth, I rather like the outward styling and configuration of this Emerson VCR. Its cabinet features the currently prevailing "silvery" color, and thus it harmonizes well with most other consumer electronics components these days. Its diminutive dimensions (see above) and light weight are a far cry from the bulky VCR's of yesteryear.

The front panel. (Where's the darned "LED tape counter"?!)

Notice from the get-go that this "bottom-end" VCR--unlike virtually all VCR's of yesteryear--lacks any "LED display" on its front panel. Instead, you must rely entirely on your TV screen (i.e., "OSD" or "on-screen display") to view this VCR's "tape counter", etc. Personally, with all my prior VCR's, I always appreciated not having to turn on the TV in order to monitor the tape-winding process (not to mention the "tape speed", TV channel, and time of day). Oh well. Unless you don't mind paying a significantly higher price for a more feature-laden model (from another manufacturer), you'll now have to switch on your TV whenever monitoring tape winding--like it or not.

Otherwise, the front panel's design is pretty straightforward and satisfying. Along with a (more or less) conventional panoply of buttons (i.e., "play"; "fast-forward"; "rewind"; "stop/eject"; "record"; "channel up/channel down"; and "menu"), there are five little (variously colored) LED lights in the "front-and-center" portion of the panel. These LED's illuminate to indicate, respectively, the following operational modes: "power"; "VCR/TV"; "tape in"; "timer"; and "record".

The remote.

The easy-to-grasp remote measures about 2 inches (wide) by five inches (high) by 3/4 inches (thick). The "power" and "record" keys are conspicuously red; all other keys are uniformly light gray (as is all the surrounding plastic of the remote). The keys have the "soft rubbery" construction and feel that is commonplace on most consumer products' remote handsets nowadays. The (rear) battery compartment accepts two "AA" batteries (included).

I have no problems using the remote, and I'm satisfied with its key layout. I personally like how the "rewind"; "stop"; "play"; and "fast-forward" keys are conspicuously and logically arranged in a horizontal "group of four" (at the bottom of the key layout) with the "stop" and "play" keys being noticeably larger than the other two. Without taking your eyes from your TV screen (i.e., entirely "by feel"), it's remarkably easy to fast-forward a tape (e.g., past a commercial) and then press the adjacent "play" key to resume normal viewing.

The "power" and "eject" keys are handily located at, respectively, the upper-right and upper-left corners of the key layout.

The (gray) "VCR/TV" key is directly adjacent to the (red) "power" key.

I found remote-control performance to be entirely and appropriately responsive and effective from various, typical operational distances from the console.

The "user manual".

The "owner's manual" is not a booklet but rather a single, double-folded sheet of paper. Despite what's stated on the manufacturer's web page, the owner's manual enclosed with my unit is written entirely in English (no Spanish).

The owner's manual looks rather "bare-bones" (e.g., its "illustrations" consist of relatively crude line drawings), but it's reasonably straightforward and easy enough for the average consumer to understand. You will likely want to consult the manual at least once when doing such basic procedures as initial "channel setup", which, by the way, I found to be pretty easy to perform.

Easy Setup.

The rear connections of the unit are entirely basic and typical. There are two 75-ohm "antenna in" and "antenna out" jacks, as well as the following (RCA-style) connectors: two "audio in" and "audio out" jacks; and two "video in" and "video out" jacks. (Recall that this VCR has MONO, not STEREO, audio.) I myself happen to have a DVD player plugged into this VCR's "in" jacks for audio and video.

Note that there are likewise two (RCA-style) "video in" and "audio in" jacks on the front of the console that are functionally separate from the aforementioned rear A/V jacks. Thus you can simultaneously attach (and--via the remote and the TV-screen display--select either of) two external DVD players, video cameras, or other devices.

I encountered no noteworthy difficulties with channel setup, etc. If you've any experience setting up other VCR's (via an on-TV-screen "menu" of options), then you'll likely find this product to be approximately as easy to use (or as initially frustrating) as your "run of the mill" VCR. Just be sure to begin by actually reading the owner's manual's "Preset for Use" instructions (in section #3). If you stubbornly refuse to consult those simple, illustrated, step-by-step instructions, you're likely to experience some initial confusion and frustration trying to figure out which keys (on the remote) to press for (either "automatic" or "manual") channel setup, etc.

Analogously, the on-screen menu's various other functions (e.g., "clock set", "timer programming", "language select", etc.) are accessed and work very much like the corresponding ones of most other VCR's manufactured in recent years. The rather well-written manual's illustrated, step-by-step instructions should keep all but the most obtuse beginner from getting unduly confused. One or two reviews of the manual should be all that's necessary. Thereafter, the on-screen menu options will seem self-explanatory and reasonably easy-to-use for most consumers.

Basic operation.

In no particular order, here are some of my observations after having used this VCR for only about a week:

First, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the remote's "channel up" and "channel down" keys (directly beneath the red "power" key at the upper-right corner of the key layout). By pressing the "channel down" key until the (on TV-screen) display reads "L2" (i.e., "line #2") or ""L1" (i.e., "line #1"), you can easily access, respectively, the front "audio/video-input" jacks or the rear "audio/video-input" jacks. In other words, if you've got (for example) one DVD player connected to the rear "audio/video-input" jacks of this VCR, then you will need to select the (on-screen) "L1" setting ("channel position") to view that rear-connected DVD player. Analogously, if you've got (for example) a second DVD player connected to the front "audio/video-input" jacks, then you will need to select the "L2" setting to view that front-connected DVD player. "Hands-on", this actually is all pretty easy to understand and perform. I find it potentially very handy having not one but rather two such "auxiliary device" settings, because who knows but what I might want to connect a second external toy (e.g., another DVD player) one of these days?

I have no problem with this VCR getting decent TV reception for all the broadcast channels in my region. (I haven't tested it with cable TV, but it likely works equally well in that regard.)

Inserting a VHS tape into this VCR seems nearly effortless, considering that (unlike many prior VCR's I've used) it has a remarkably "soft" feel to it. In other words, you needn't press very firmly inward to get a tape to load, and it loads very quickly.

Similarly, tape ejection occurs reasonably quickly (slightly quicker than with all my prior VCRs).

Fast-forwarding or fast-rewinding a non-playing tape is plenty speedy; indeed this unit seems somewhat faster than many prior VCR's I've used. (But I wouldn't say this unit's fast-rewinding speed is anywhere near as "supercharged" as that of my amazing "Admiral" VCR mentioned below.)

While playing a tape, fast-forwarding and fast-rewinding each include two easily selectable "search" speeds: each time you tap either the forward or the reverse key, the "search" speed switches from "fast" to "faster" and then back to "fast", etc.

When fast-rewinding a (non-playing) tape all the way to the beginning, there is a slightly louder than usual "knocking" noise whenever the tape finally stops. I hope this audible "knock" is not indicative of any undue stress on the tape (lest the tape were to someday come unglued from the hub). Most likely, I'm simply being unduly "paranoid" here. There have been no problems so far.

Analogously, whenever I press the remote's "slow" key (for "slow-motion" playback of a recorded tape), there is a noticeably more audible (but actually very tolerable) "jerking" noise than is the case with my older (and much costlier) VCR's. Considering that most consumers will only rarely press "slow" anyway, this trivially louder sound is admittedly a moot issue. But I wonder if it reflects a relative "cheapness of construction" of this "bottom-end" model, contrasted with most "high-end" VCR's. Having said this, I should add that--at this price level--I feel lucky that "slow-motion" playback (and "four heads") is even an included feature in the first place!

Immediately after you begin playing a recorded tape, this VCR automatically adjusts (stabilizes) "tracking" for optimal clarity of the video display. (You can also use the "channel up" and "channel down" keys to make tracking adjustments manually.) Thus far, I haven't actually needed to perform any manual tracking adjustments for any of the various tapes I've played.

Recording a TV show worked easily and flawlessly. The video clarity (brightness and resolution) of the "dub" was pleasing and appeared virtually indistinguishable from the source.

When playing tapes recorded via my late-1980's Sharp (brand) VCR, this Emerson unit displayed them in totally excellent fashion; those particular tapes look just as brilliant and, ah, "sharp" as when played on the unit that originally recorded them.

Likewise, pre-recorded VHS videos displayed just fine.

I had no problems using any of the remote's functions, including some of the less commonly used ones (e.g., "display", "search mode", etc.).

Concluding remarks.

Several years ago (around 2000) at a Montgomery Ward store, I bought a new "Admiral" (logo) stereo/hi-fi VCR (model JSJ20455) for scarcely more money than what this bottom-end, "mono" Emerson VCR cost me last week at Wal-Mart. I wish that that admirable Admiral model were still available (and at such a bargain price). Not only did it include its own LED display, but it also featured a remarkable "rapid-rewinding system" that makes completely (and safely) rewinding a tape a matter of mere seconds instead of minutes.

Even so, I must accept that I'm writing this review in the year 2006, and "non-hybrid" VCR's will surely become increasingly hard-to-find via mass-market outlets until, in the not-very-distant future, they'll likely be essentially unavailable. In light of that reality, I was satisfied to pay less than forty bucks for this ("on the whole" and "so far") gratifying Emerson product. Now, if only it long continues to perform as flawlessly as it's done during its first week, then I'll be, indeed, more than satisfied.