Victor HR-W5
Description
The Victor HR-W5 is a W-VHS VCR sold on the Japanese domestic market from 1995 to 2000. It is one of the extremely few W-VHS models ever offered to consumers, capable of recording analog high-definition video in the 1080i format (1125/60) onto W-VHS cassettes. The HR-W5 includes a built-in MUSE decoder and BS (broadcast satellite) tuner, allowing direct off-air recording of Hi-Vision broadcasts — features not present on its North American export counterpart, the JVC SR-W5U. It can also function as a standalone MUSE decoder for external sources such as MUSE LaserDisc players.
The unit doubles as a high-end S-VHS deck with full VHS and S-VHS backward compatibility. An additional "SD" recording mode allows NTSC programs to be recorded at slow speed onto W-VHS tapes, taking advantage of the format's extra bandwidth to achieve better quality than standard S-VHS recording. The HR-W5 was based on the mechanism of Victor's top-of-the-line VHS decks.
The original MSRP was ¥340,000 (approximately US$3,350 at the time). The unit was exported to North America as the JVC SR-W5U, which omitted the internal tuner, timer functions, and MUSE decoder, but added a DE-15 RGB output and carried an MSRP of US$4,890.
