Does VCR model has noticable effect on captures?

[astroruben]

Does VCR model has noticable effect on captures? If it, then which ones are the best for capturing VHS (not S-VHS, although if SVHS model does better then its okay)? I currently use Sony SLV-N99. Also, someone told me its the best if you capture VHS from the VCR that recorded it, but I'm not sure about it.

Thanks.

[wulf109]

Any JVC model with the builtin TBC will be best. The TBC corrects many record problems on playback. Very poor original tapes can look quite good.

[Allan55]

Oh YES it does.

As stated, one with a TBC (time-base correcter) will certainly help.

I use a 10-15 year old Sony SLV-686. It has a TBC (I'm told), flying erase heads and lots of goodies for editing between tape decks (pre digital stuff, obviously). In fact I've paid $100s to repair it--in fact, more than I paid orginally.

Some tricks that help regardless:

1. FastForward, Rewind, Fast Forward, Rewind the tape a few times (playing the whole tape is better but probably too slow). This will release built-up tension in the tape and minimize jerkyness in the playback (there is always some tension problems, especially if the tape hasn't been played for a while). I've gone from 100s of dropped frames to 1-2 with just this step.

2. Clean the heads frequently.

3. Clean the deck and re-align frequently. But: I've had some tapes that were recorded on mis-aligned decks--you need the actual misalignment to play these tapes well.

4. Use the best deck you can find. A good older deck can be much better than even a current new deck.

[Cyrax9]

Well, I have two VCRs currently in use for "Capturing" video, they are:

Sony SLV-688HF and the SOny SLV-N81.

The SLV-N81 is my preferred u it overall and I had to get it refurbished afeter it was discontinued, but it's great for capturing and the APC (Adaptive PICture COntrol, SOny's trademarked TBC) and RR (Reality Regenrator) are amazing, the SLV-688HF only has APC but they boht haave flying erase heads from what I gather and are 4-head VCRs so I use them both. The SLV-N81 is clearly superior but I usually just use the 688HF which iusn't tied into my "Rig" of a SonY WEGA and a Panasonic DMR-HS2 plus an N64 and a GCN and the SLV-N81 I keep on VCR by the PC and one by the TV the Sony unit I keep for playback of old VHS Tapes, the other one is here specifically to capture because it's my "old" unit.

I also have two odler machines in the basement that are broken but I might get them fixed and sell them eventualy if I ever get the time.

[WishMaker]

I use an old vhs camcorder. They are great for recording and playback.

People are selling them like flies on ebay usually because the batteries are dead and it's hard to find replacements. Other reason is they can't record from the lens anymore. They usually don't think about using them as vcr's.

The good thing about that is low "miles". (less wear on the head) The average person used their vhs camcorder to shoot a couple of birthday parties, family reunions, and other occasional events. They they'd pop the tape into the "regular" vcr.

The bad thing is just like old vcr's the belts are getting kinda old, but there are still great functioning camcorder's around.

So, get on ebay and pic up a couple. Just make sure to ask the seller to hook up the camcorder and use it like a vcr for playback (if they still remember or even knew how).

Just don't bid on any I'm bidding on.

[WishMaker]

Oh yeah...

I just thought of another thing. Some vhs camcorders (like mine) only have one rca audio out plug. It wasn't bad the other day when I was doing a tape that was a tv movie but...

I'm not sure if the sound is in stereo if you use the s-video (i'm thinking that's the little round, black plug or socket with the little holes or pins in it) or by using the coaxial cable type connection. I have to use rca plugs, as my set up is that way. The coaxial cable type connection (is that what they call the RF?) I've found to be inferior (sp?) quality. I would love to find out how the s-video (round plug with pins?) works as far as picture quality.

Well, I stumbled in here. Now I've got to go find an answer to one of a thousand of the questions running around in my head.

[shoozleboy]

the s-video connector does not carry an audio signal.... it is video only.

It is better video than the standard rca plug (composite) connector, but to get your audio captured with the S-Video plug, you will still need to hook up the audio rca plug to your capture device....