Hitachi VT-88A (1984–1985)
The Hitachi 88A, sold as the VT-88A, is documented almost entirely through period test reports. No manual or company literature survives in the archive. The reviews show a well-built first-generation VHS Hi-Fi VCR. High Fidelity (1984, p.55) listed it with a 14-day/6-event programmable tuner/timer, VHS Hi-Fi stereo audio, and a $1,095 price. That was a serious sum at the time, and the new audio circuitry was the reason. The warranty was two years on parts, 90 days on labor.
Physically it looked more like an audio component than a typical VCR. It had a wood-grain vinyl body, a black front panel with silver trim, and a front panel measuring about 17¼ by 4¾ inches with roughly 14¾ inches of depth (High Fidelity, 1984, p.55; HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers, April 1985, p.36). The measured performance backed up the Hi-Fi badge. High Fidelity (1984, p.57) found the VHS Hi-Fi track extended from below 20 Hz to beyond 20 kHz, essentially independent of tape speed. It held within +½/−2½ dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz even at −40 dB, which was excellent for the era. The same review rated the linear edge track among the best measured, only 4 dB down at 10 kHz. The top end dropped off rapidly above 6.5 kHz in LP and was limited to about 4 kHz in EP. HI-Fi-Stereo-Buyers (April 1985, p.34) noted the video and Hi-Fi heads were mounted with a roughly 30-degree azimuth difference, so each set responded only to its own tracks. Hitachi had also instituted a production modification to cure an unwanted recording-level effect, yielding flat response at all levels.
Known specs: VHS Hi-Fi VCR, 14-day/6-event timer, $1,095 list, two-year parts/90-day labor warranty. Beyond the reviews, the record is thin.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.