Eamonn Holmes reports for UTV on research into VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) machines and the likelihood of them needing repairs. The consumer magazine Which had reported that there was a one in three chance of a VCR needing to be repaired within two years. There are close ups of the pages of the Which guide as well as various machines. There is a demonstration on a screen of common faults such as a snowy picture and stats are given for the various different format of VCR with V2000 and Betamax faring rather poorly and VHS coming out on top as by far the most reliable.

Big trade names for the machines were also found to be more reliable than cheaper brands and the report concludes by showing the evolution of machines from reel to reel devices to ‘piano’ lever VCRs to what was then the current styles. This is an interesting snapshot of evolving technology and its flaws from the dawn of home video entertainment.