[ben]

I once picked up that Logik one but it had suffered water damage /rust and there were so many faults I dumped it.

We had the Samsung VI611 years ago at home - my late father picked an ex-demo model up for cheap around 1987. That did indeed have a sensor, but the manual made no mention of a remote. I am sure I opened it up to see what was behind the sensor panel but can't recall if there was an actual photosensor there.

I do not, I must say, have good memories of that Samsung. Trying to set the timer was an exercise in futility. Picture quality was mediocre. Mode changes were rather slow. It eventually got replaced by a Philips Charley deck model which was simplicity itself in comparison.

I am fairly sure I have a similar model here in Spain in the workshop, badged Denvo. The whole deck mech and drum of that Samsung reminds me of the one Sharp used in their VC481 etc.