Translation guide
A VCR (videocassette recorder) is a device for playing and recording videotapes. In Japanese, it is commonly referred to using loanwords or abbreviations.
Referring to the physical videocassette recorder device.
The most common and natural term for a VCR in everyday Japanese. Literally 'video deck'.
ビデオデッキが壊れた。
The VCR broke.
新しいビデオデッキを買った。
I bought a new VCR.
An abbreviation of 'Video Tape Recorder'. Used in technical or slightly older contexts, but still understood.
VTRで録画する。
Record on the VCR.
A direct loanword from 'video recorder'. Less common than ビデオデッキ, but may be used in formal or technical descriptions.
このビデオレコーダーは古い。
This VCR is old.
In modern Japan, VCRs are largely obsolete, so the term ビデオデッキ may be used nostalgically or when referring to old technology. For current devices, people usually say ブルーレイレコーダー (Blu-ray recorder) or ハードディスクレコーダー (hard disk recorder).