Philips N1700

FORMAT: VCR-LP DATE: 1978 PRICE: £490 [1994: £1100] 56x36x16cm

At first glance, the N1700 looks identical to the N1502, from two years before. Closer inspection shows that the controls have once again been re-designed - a sliding tracking control being the most obvious difference - but the most crucial difference between these two machines is not immediately visible, merely hinted at by the legend "LONG PLAY" on the case. In fact this machine used a new format, VCR-LP, which allowed it to record for well over two hours on a 60-minute VCR cassette. For the first time, an entire feature film could be held on a single video cassette.

Philips acheived this remarkable increase using a new technique called Slant Azimuth recording, which prevented the heads from picking up interference from adjacent tracks. This eliminated the need for guard bands between the tracks, allowing them to be recorded much closer together, which meant that the tape could be run at less than half the speed of a VCR format machine. The basic layout of the machine is the same as the 1502, though most details have changed. The tilting carriage now has an eject button mounted on it directly, though this is somewhat unusual - the first press unlaces the tape, and another is required to actually eject the cassette.

Although VCR and VCR-LP machines used the same cassettes, the two formats were not compatible. The 1700 could not play recordings made on a 1500 or 1502 - unlike modern long-play VHS machines, which will always be able to play standard VHS recordings. No dual-standard VCR / VCR-LP machine was ever produced.

VCR-LP and VCR cassettes; the difference is purely in the labelling.

Shortly after the 1700 was released, a 1702 was produced which added a longer timer - able to be programmed up to two weeks ahead - and a few nicities like a test-signal generator to make tuning the TV into the machine's output simpler. The 1702 is identical to the 1700 apart from an extra digit on the timer display, and a slightly darker case colour. At the same time, three-hour cassettes were also released, using thinner tape to pack more into the cassette case.

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