Recommended specs or model for VCR (to capture from)?

[Golem]

Wanting to transfer selected VHS movies to DVD I am attempting to determine what specifications are most important when purchasing a new VCR. After doing some research I seem to be unable to find available anymore the feature I was under the impression to be of most value in getting better quality. What I speak of is the 19micron heads that Sony was touting some time back on it's mid and lower line VCR's. Is this an important feature to improve image quality during playback?

Any insight into features or specific make/models I should look for would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Golem


P.S. - Was going to place this post in the "General" section but I figured it really is "Capturing" related.

[Tommyknocker]

If it were me, I would get a VCR with a firewire port. How can you beat that?

[Golem]

Thanks for the reply Tommyknocker.

I've not seen that option available on any VCR's less than a D-VHS with prices ranging from $700-$1200! And at that most don't specify it as being a video-out feature, only video-in (probably is both though).

Regards,
Golem

[Megahurts]

Golem

I would suggest a vcr with a built in timebase corrector. The JVC HR-S7800 is a S-VHS with a TBC and sells for less than $300. I don't know if it's a full frame TBC.

Regards,

Chas

[trhouse]

I think it is the reverse. Nearly all VHS recorders now feature 19 micron heads so much so that they do not bother to advertise it any more. Here are some inexpensive models which have this feature. Sony SLVN500 (about $79), Sony SLVN700 (about $99), Sharp VC-H810 (about $59). The way to find out is to look at the operating manual under specifications.

[redwudz]

I have found that even the expensive vcr's I bought lasted less than a year and then started to get tracking and noise problems that cleaning wouldn't help (must be those porno flicks). I finally gave up and started buying ones for less than $100 US and they work just fine. When they quit, you haven't lost much. The quality of the vhs tape is more important than the vcr. Playing old dusty tapes will eat up even a good vcr. I am working on capturing all my old movie tapes and then record to dvd. When that's done the vhs tapes and probably the vcr will go in the trash.

[Golem]

Much appreciate the replies!

Megahurts -
I have read quite a few posts lauding the positive results when using a quality TBC. As my VHS tapes run from very clean to somewhat dirty it could be an asset. Just wish I had the ability to test them side-by-side on the same footage. Just might have to make a trip to Circuit City...could use their no questions asked return policy.

trhouse -
Yup, I can see that being the case for the 19 micron heads. Most likely it's no more expensive to produce with improved manufacturing processes. I also like the fact that you mention Sharp. I have to admit that my first VCR (14 years ago) was one I think I paid $115 for. Since then I have had numerous brands with the supposedly best model having been a JVC HR-VP720U which cost about $300. In my opinion not one of them has been able to match the recorded picture quality of the, at the time, bottom-of-the-line Sharpe! Also, I did have a Sony SLVN700 which I think is supposed to be the Wega TV's companion, well, I brought it back to Sears as the picture quality of anything I recorded looked just plain awful (tested different brands of tapes)!

redwudz -
LOL!!! Those porno flicks will kill and type of video player! But I do know what you speak of concerning player longevity. The Sharp I spoke of (bought 14 yrs ago) was the most used AND the longest lasting of the 7-8 VCR's I've owned. Also sounds like we are doing the same job in backing up our collections one final time...only difference is that I'll probably keep my VCR on display just for conversational purposes! LOL


Thanks again for the input guys!
Golem

[g_shocker182]

I saw on TechTV some hi-definition vhs players. I laughed. PS, you would probably need hi-def vhs tapes, (commercially available) to make it work, and these which are more expensive than DVDs makes them useless.

[vhelp]

Hi Golem,

Unfortunately, you gotta spend a little bit more money for the quality. If
you are serious about your video transfer endeavor, it's $$$.$$ time for
your pockets.

IMO, I would stick to the cheapo's and look into getting a more expensive
Capture card for the job.

I would recommend, as a miminum, an S-VHS, w/ S-Video (IN/OUT) and
connect my supper Capture device to the those ports.

As for what I've used in my VHS projects, is the JVC S-VHS HR-S3910U
On this model, I've connected and captured from with my:
* Ospray-210
* ATI-TV Wonder
* DC10+ ... .. .. mjpeg
* ADVC-100 ... .. .. dv avi
* and many others.

The final result will be reflected upon your "source" quality. If your VHS
tapes have ben played many times, you should expect some issues in the
video capture part.

Also, if you end up getting a VCR w/ composite only (RCA) connectors,
do expect to see some color blending or fuzz or slight blurryness. That's
why an S-VHS is rquired, as these usually have S-Video connectors. You
def. want an S-Video type VCR. ..That is, if you are serious about this, else
if you are just planning on a few, then forget about it, and just go w/ all
cheapo's

Next, if you're a newbie and all, best recommend is to read, read, read all
materials on capturing and encoding (filtering is a plus for VHS sources)

So much to talk about here, but so little time and energy for me

Good luck,
-vhelp
capture

[Golem]

Kudos for the replies!

g_shocker182 -
Yup, I laughed too when I heard HD-VHS but then just days later I was enlightened to the fact that a number of companies, big and small, are converting to shooting movies in this format! Supposed to be very high quality, a cost effective medium, and gives them the ability to instantly review their takes which reduces unnecessary retakes. Who would've thunk! And yes, standalone dvd recorders w/HD's are the way to go!

vhelp -
I hate the old addage... "You get what you pay for". I too am still looking for that exception to the rule!

It seems that your reasoning for choosing S-VHS is primarily for the s-video out? Is this to say if I were to find (if remotely possible) a non S-VHS with this connection that the output should be about equal, that is, barring no additional goodies such as TBC etc.? I only have a handful of movies to convert, these are ones not yet available on, nor expected to become, available on DVD. For this reason I can't justify an exorbitant expense but still I am a stickler for final quality.

As for filtering...I cut my teeth on V'Dub a couple years back while capturing and encoding very dirty analog cable signals. Since then I have switched over to digital cable and all my filtering is done through AVISynth, either in V'Dub or frameserved to TMPGEnc. Having said this I will have to revisit some of the old filters as I've been spoiled by such a clean video source!


Thanks once again guys for your input. It gets me one step closer to making a decision!

Best Regards,
Golem

[vhelp]

eveing peoples.

@ Golem,
I personnally do not prefer to use any filtering (smoothers of the sorts or
temporals) other than maybe "color" in my encodes. I do experiment a
little here and there, or when I hear of a great script, but depending on my
source, I usually won't use such filters inside script. However, some filters
can help in reducing filesize if you're looking to squeeze that much more on
to a CDR of limited size ie, 800mb or 900mb etc. So, there are benefits to
this "filtering" as well, and not just for video enhancing or correcting

But, VHS requires the use of filtering during the encoding process, because
of the amount of noise in them. Mind you, that mose noise is due to the
Capture card ie, most Analog capture cards. I've only experience w/ one
capture card that does not incorporate any noise in the final .AVI file, and
thats the DC10+ card. It's an hardward MJPEG card that outputs an .AVI
source. Also, reqires a VFW driver, though it may work under W2K/XP as
well. But undre Windows 98/98SE, it works flawless, imo.

Also on the DC10+ is my opinion that this card was made just for VHS sources
or perhaps, a coensidense that it does a great job on VHS sources. There
are no line noise as w/ regular Analog capture cards.

DV devices also produce good quality (w/out any line noise) like the ADVC
and DV CAM pass-through devices.

But, seeing how you only have a handfull of projects to do, and not doing
this w/ a serious approach (I would not call a handfull serious) or on a regular
bases every day or so, like some of us here, I don't think that spending a
lot of money would be worthwhile in your case. If your goal is to do this
regulary, then thats another story, and I would not recommend any cheapos
in any devices, though that would largely depend on your stress-level of
the process and your patiance too

Assuming you're opting to go the regular route..
Getting expansive devices would require some thinking and planning.
* Are you planning on THE BEST or ULTIMATE quality ??
* Is the items to convert REALLY worth it to go the extream ??
* Is the items personal ie, family timeline or parties or priceless ??
...the "Three Stooges" is not priceless hehe or niak niak niak

Well, I've gone South (anal) in all this fun talk. But, these are things to at
least think about.

Well, good luck thus far,
-vhelp

[lordsmurf]

http://www.lordsmurf.com/capture/vcrtbcsuggestions.htm

[vhelp]

Hi lordsmurf,

First, nice web page

2nd, what kind of java are you using, cause it's crashing my IE every time

error snip..

EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in
module MSHTML.DLL at 016f:70d6c427.

-vhelp

EDIT:.. my properties for "mshtml.dll" say it's: version 5.00.2314.1002

[lordsmurf]

Hi lordsmurf,

First, nice web page

2nd, what kind of java are you using, cause it's crashing my IE every time

error snip..

EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in
module MSHTML.DLL at 016f:70d6c427.

-vhelp

EDIT:.. my properties for "mshtml.dll" say it's: version 5.00.2314.1002

Strange. I test all the pages with IE 5.5 and IE 6.0.

The JS is set to disable right-clicks, disable page printing, preload various aspects of the templates, call up some ASP, prevent cut/paste/select operations, encrypt some source code, and a few other things set to keep the site operating smoothly.

I know it crashes a few other browsers, but since most of the world has or uses IE, it was no real concern. Strange that it did that to your IE 5.0.

[vhelp]

@ lordsmurf,

don't sweat it. All is not lost.. I was able to view your webpage using Opera 5

-vhelp