I have set my aunt up with a really nice clean Panasonic NV-J35 VCR. She is not very good with technology and it has been a challenge to say the least. Prior to this she sat up late into the night to finish a film and to have a method of recording has pleased her no end.

The VCR came with a book of barcodes, however these ran out at 2010. I know the Radio Times used to have them but is there a magazine that still uses them? If not, it does not matter as I have shown her how to set the timer on the drop-down panel. I have not even told her about the barcodes – unless they are still available somewhere.

You might be able to print your own using a desktop printer.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6081274/...gramming-Sheet

Setting a recording via the Guide of a Freeview or Freesat PVR must be easier surely?...especially if it has series record.

Blimey, I don't think they're printed barcodes for years, ever since videoplus took over back in the early to mid 1990's

The printed bar codes never worked very well in newspapers as I recall as the print smudged if you pressed the scanner too hard.

It's amazing an NVj35 is still running, those K deck mechanisms worked well but tended to need rebuilding when a nylon cog broke or the mode switch got dirty. Must date back to 1992/93 ish? one of the last barcode Panasonic's made I think....

Yes, I'd agree with that comment - also with DSO imminent the Panny VCR will soon need a set top box attached to it if it's going to record anything.

Also a bit surprised the heads haven't got to then end of their life yet - this machine must be 20 years old (I remember selling them) - lovely machines at the time and far nicer to use than comparably priced Sony or JVCs

Thanks Graham for that link - I have saved it.

Well there may be an item of newer technology that I could get for her, however I know that she will ring me up for help (she lives over 100 miles away) and as I don't own one myself or have experience of PVR devices I would be stumped too.

I have an NV-J35 myself and so can 'work through' any technical issues a step at a time.

The one I gave her was dated May 1990, but I gave it a full service and fitted new PSU caps, pinch roller, mode switch and head. It is ready for the next 20 years now.

Shame about the lack of printed bar codes but thats life.

The other option maybe is to use one of those old original Gemstar Video Plus handsets, once setup, you enter the videoplus code number printed in the TV guide, the videoplus handset then sends out a 'switch on and start recording channel 1,2 3,4 or 5' infrared command. The video doesn't even need to go into the sometimes confusing 'Timer Rec' mode like you do with barcodes or timer recording as the Video Plus handset does that bit for you and simply sends out remote commands mimmicking a remote control pressing channel and record.

Well that's how they worked back in the early 1990's and is the reason Panasonic stopped making bar code scanners as Videoplus was so much easier.

I see someone selling one of Ebay for £4.95!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gemstar-VIP-18...item588c9093e6