New National impresses

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 8

New National impresses

The newest mid-range release from National, the NV-470, is designed as a replacement for the very popular NV-450 and features a one-piece die-cast aluminium chassis.

Stylishly finished in silver and black, this front-loading slimline unit cannot help but impress with the range of features and ease of use. The main mode controls and setting are revealed in a keyboard-fashion when the flap along the lower right of the fascia is opened, eliminating the need to lower oneself to eye level with the control panel. All the buttons are clearly marked and laid out in logical sequence which is easy to memorise. The positioning of the clock

timer setting buttons in relation to the display area makes it particularly easy to follow and check each step. Although we would have liked to see the inclusion of a “clear” button in this section and a minus for hours as well as minutes, the addition of the on and off buttons adds to the ease of use. The clock is 24 hour, so care is needed to ensure that you have the correct time set for recording off air. The timer is four event? 14 day, programmable for daily recording and the NV--470 also offers OTR (OneTouch Timer Recording) with stand-by in variables of 30 minutes up to two hours.

A semi-opaque black plastic strip on the top of the unit allows the user to check on tape placement and movement, and the small flap to the right of this lifts to reveal tuning controls for the 16 channels offered. Tuning each channel is very simple, thanks to the usual National system which allows pre-setting to be overridden, adjusted by the use of a simple wheel and the new setting to be locked into the memory. The NV-470 offers not only super still but also super still advance with slow motion variable between l/sth and l/26th of normal playback speed. These functions are also available through the re-

mote control and the addition of a wide range tracking wheel for slow ensures noisebar and jitter free

framing. The infra-red remote control is well designed, feels comfortable, covers 30 functions and enlists positive response from the unit Among the functions covered are all main modes, plus an on/off slide, VTR and VTR/TV buttons and special slow motion controls. x

The NV-470 is a unit which will not disappoint National fans; it matches performance to good looks, offers an impressive array of features, is easy to use and is available now at a recommended retail price of $1499.