-=[ Quoting Greg Kurth to All ]=-
 GK> It's time to replace my VCR, and I'm thinking I should get a
 GK> unit with surround sound built in. Any recommendations for a HiFi VCR
 GK> with surround sound?
I'm liable to start a flame war on this thread, but here goes:
This will sound wierd, but I recommend you keep the surround decoder farther
down the chain than the VCR.  Don't spend too much on the VCR unless you're
getting into an "industrial" type unit.  I've had a SONY VCR before, and it's
the only brand I strongly recommend you NOT TO buy.  This VCR was a load of
trouble.  The electronics on it were great, but the tape transport was pretty
weak.
I'm using a 6-head Toshiba right now, and I'm very happy with it.  It's not 
s
smart as the Sony, can't be programmed while it's rewinding even.  However,
the tape transport appears to be more rugged than the Sony.  It's also 
cheaper.
I found one for $300 about a year ago.
Now, for where does the decoder go?  Well, anywhere but in the TV or VCR.  
ou
can get a reciever with surround in it, or use an outboard decoder and a 2nd
amplifier, preferably with 3 or more channels.  If you're like most people,
you'll go with the 5-channel surround reciever.
Another alternative is to blow off surround sound altogether and just get a
decent quality 2-channel reciever or amplifier.  This won't give you as many
speakers, but you can buy better speakers since you'll only need 2 of them.
                                Phil
--- Bink/Max/GE 1.20 Pro
---------------