JVC s-vhs vcr's

[Werble]

Would like to know what the general feelings are with JVC s-vhs vcr's. My 12 year old Panny finally crapped out and looking to replace it with any jvc s-vhs model to do transfers of vhs home movies to DVD. What are your positive or negative thoughts? What are your model recommendations? Thanks.

[OmegaSupreme]

I have a SR-V10U (Pro Series) and it works great. The best models, the ones that make the most difference in picture quality, are the ones that have digital noise reduction and TBC built in.

[Werble]

What is TBC?

[OmegaSupreme]

TBC - Time Based Corrector
A hardware device used to remove or mask variations in the video synchronizing signals, which can result in "skewing" and other distortions in the video image generated by unavoidable mechanical inaccuracies in helical scan recorders. This is accomplished by automatically delaying the video signal so that each line starts at the proper time. In capturing a TBC is used to 'clean up' analog tape problems and may assist in the capture of old VHS tapes when used betwee a VCR and capture card.

[FulciLives]

TBC is short for Time Base Corrector. This can help to stabilize the image which is rather helpfull. The JVC units have a TBC that according to some is not as good as a stand alone TBC but works in such a way that it still sounds as though it is worth getting.

Currently JVC only makes 2 models that come with a built-in TBC

The HR-S9911U (a S-VHS consumer model) and the aforementioned SR-V10U (a S-VHS professional model).

Generally speaking the HR-S9911U is considered the better of the two units. It actually costs more too as it is more full featured than the SR-V10U "professional" unit. In fact the SR-V10U appears to be a replacement model for the old 7000 series now missing from the consumer line-up (the 9000 series has always had a 4-bit TBC and the old 7000 series always had a 2-bit TBC). Currently JVC dropped the 7000 series from the consumer line which is why many think the SR-V10U is simply a replacement model (which if true would make the HR-S9911U the better model which does appear to be true).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
You might want to look at some of the comments LORDSMURF makes about JVC S-VHS units on his website.
http://www.lordsmurf.com/

[Werble]

Guys, thanks for your input. One more question...is JVC the only brand worth purchasing for vcr's at this point? I have heard that JVC has had quality issues...is that true? What are your thoughts on other brands (specifically those that have s-vhs outputs)? Thanks again.

[FulciLives]

Guys, thanks for your input. One more question...is JVC the only brand worth purchasing for vcr's at this point? I have heard that JVC has had quality issues...is that true? What are your thoughts on other brands (specifically those that have s-vhs outputs)? Thanks again.

Well I always though that TOSHIBA was the best with that V-Technology and 6 head design. They even use to make S-VHS VCR's but sadly they make crap now. The only way to get a TOSHIBA VCR now (at least in the USA) is to buy a combo VHS VCR/DVD player. These are only 4 head and no S-VHS ... sad.

Panasonic was always crap for S-VHS unless you bought one of the industrial models ... at which point you are paying way too much money.

At this late stage of the game who else even bothers making S-VHS anymore? Maybe Mitsubishi still? I'm not sure.

As for JVC I had a 5900 S-VHS model and the thing broke in about a year, maybe a year and half, after I bought it.

However I hear that the 9000 series is built much differently ... more like an industrial model.

So if you do go with JVC for S-VHS go for the 9000 series or forget. That's my opinion.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Werble]

Thanks for your feedback guys. Hopefully i can find a JVC 9000 for cheap somewhere.

[lordsmurf]

Consider one of these machines:
JVC HR-S9600U
JVC HR-S9800U <- personal favorite
JVC HR-S9900U
JVC HR-S9911U
JVC HR-S7800U
JVC HR-S7900U
JVC SR-V10U

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=jvc+hr*
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=jvc+sr*

[Ruude]

Had a HR-S 8500. Went bust pretty soon because of Dynamic drum technology but video was really good before it broke. Got a HR-S 7700 now for only 180 euro with DNR and TBC and am very happy.

[aurgathor]

I have the combo, HR-XVS44U, and I found it good deal (paid around $150 ) Haven't used it much, so no long term experience yet.

[WuphonsReach]

Yes, Mitsubishi still makes S-VHS VCRs... (pretty much only them and JVC).

[TheFamilyMan]

I have a JVC sr-v10u that I bought specifically for converting some of my old home VHS tape to DVD. Its TBC/noise reduction worked miracles on some old tapes whose picture was jittering all over the place when capturing either from my 7 year old panasonic VCR or 13 year old JVC. (I also got it to retire that old JVC and as VCR "insurance"). I used to swoon about this JVC until I set it up to my livingroom television. When comparing the playback of excellent quality VHS material, the panasonic ran circles around the JVC in terms of picture quality. (Both units were directly connected to the TV using identical cables.) Also, its TBC is finicky; in some instances it screws up the picture though you can turn it off. Overall, I'm a teeny bit disappointed in the JVC.

[The_Doman]

I have the same experience with a JVC S-VHS (HRS-6700PAL, No TBC) VCR. When i use it to play my VHS recordings I lose so much detail compared to my two other older VCR's (Akai and Panasonic) I have. So i don't use it anymore for VHS , only as a decent tuner for my captures.

[lordsmurf]

I have the same experience with a JVC S-VHS (HRS-6700PAL, No TBC) VCR. When i use it to play my VHS recordings I lose so much detail compared to my two other older VCR's (Akai and Panasonic) I have. So i don't use it anymore for VHS , only as a decent tuner for my captures.

Be sure your leave it in edit mode, not auto. That's probably where you "sharpness" (and noise) went to.

[The_Doman]

Be sure your leave it in edit mode, not auto. That's probably where you "sharpness" (and noise) went to.

Yeah , ofcourse i tried all possible settings with it., It's just does not look right for me. It REALLY does not compare with my other VCR's.

[J3M]

When in edit mode, how does the JVC treat the video differently? I currently have a HR-3900U SVHS unit, and while not a pro model, it does have this edit mode. I've always left it in auto, so I'm curious to see what it does differently in this mode.

BTW, I'm upgrading to the V10U model.

[The_Doman]

I found this explanation of the EDIT mode on VCR's:

---------------------------------------------------------
The function of edit switches (in general) is this:

In playback, most VCRs add a certain amount of edge "emphasis" to make the
picture appear subjectively sharper. In S-VHS VCRs, they also "average" chroma
information over several lines to reduce noise. Unfortunately, this causes
chroma displacement vertically, and makes the color appear to be sliding down
the screen.

Turning "on" the edit mode switches out most of the extra emphasis, as well as
reducing the number of "averaged" lines, which helps makes subsequent dubs look
a little better.

Some folks find that the machine looks BETTER with the edit
mode engaged all the time. It produces a more technically correct picture in
that mode, though with a slight noise penalty. My best advice is to try
switching it on and off while carefully observing the playback image, and
decide which you like best. It has no function during record.
-----------------------------------------------

Only too bad that most new (consumer) VCR's don't offer a real EDIT mode switch anymore. Those older panasonic's with a real (analogue) sharpness control and edit switch really worked well for me.

[J3M]

Thanks for the info Doman!

[BrainStorm69]

I found this explanation of the EDIT mode on VCR's:

---------------------------------------------------------
The function of edit switches (in general) is this:

In playback, most VCRs add a certain amount of edge "emphasis" to make the
picture appear subjectively sharper. In S-VHS VCRs, they also "average" chroma
information over several lines to reduce noise. Unfortunately, this causes
chroma displacement vertically, and makes the color appear to be sliding down
the screen.

Turning "on" the edit mode switches out most of the extra emphasis, as well as
reducing the number of "averaged" lines, which helps makes subsequent dubs look
a little better.

Some folks find that the machine looks BETTER with the edit
mode engaged all the time. It produces a more technically correct picture in
that mode, though with a slight noise penalty. My best advice is to try
switching it on and off while carefully observing the playback image, and
decide which you like best. It has no function during record.
-----------------------------------------------

Only too bad that most new (consumer) VCR's don't offer a real EDIT mode switch anymore. Those older panasonic's with a real (analogue) sharpness control and edit switch really worked well for me.

And that's the only explanation you'll find. I asked a question about this on this forum awhile back and got almost no response whatsoever. I have to wonder about the statement that it makes no difference whatsoever to recording, since all of Sony's manuals for their editing VCRs say to have it on regardless of whether the Sony is the playback or recording VCR.

When in edit mode, how does the JVC treat the video differently? I currently have a HR-3900U SVHS unit, and while not a pro model, it does have this edit mode. I've always left it in auto, so I'm curious to see what it does differently in this mode.

BTW, I'm upgrading to the V10U model.

It made a difference to me. I thought I was not getting as good a sharpness out of my HR-S9900U as my Sony's until I set the TBC/DNR to "on," my D3 to "on," and turned on picture to the "edit" mode. The sharpness of the JVC was just as good as my other Sony's (unless I artificially sharpned it with the sharpness control on my SLV-585HF -- which requires that you turn edit mode off), and the color was better because the Sony's aren't S-video.

[lordsmurf]

EDIT mode most certainly has an impact on recording. Leave it at EDIT when recording... or you'll be sorry if you try to play the tape in any other VCR.

[The_Doman]

EDIT mode most certainly has an impact on recording. Leave it at EDIT when recording... or you'll be sorry if you try to play the tape in any other VCR.

And why would that be then? I never in al those years had a problem with that. I only see a effect by PLAYBACK of a tape. At least on all the VCR's I have had.

[lordsmurf]

EDIT mode most certainly has an impact on recording. Leave it at EDIT when recording... or you'll be sorry if you try to play the tape in any other VCR.

And why would that be then? I never in al those years had a problem with that. I only see a effect by PLAYBACK of a tape. At least on all the VCR's I have had.

I had to learn that one the hard way.

[J3M]

So edit mode is the way to go. Thanks everyone! I'll give it shot this weekend.

[lordsmurf]

But I playback in SOFT or AUTO as needed. Maybe SHARP or EDIT, but not as much. SOFT mainly good for cartoons only.

[qlizard]

LS,
now I'm confused. You say leave it in "edit" for recording, but you playback in "soft" or "auto"? So when you do captures from VCR, do you put it in "soft" or "auto"? I've found for my tapes that playing back in "edit" gives me too much noise so I generally leave it on "auto".

[lordsmurf]

You play a tape to a capture card. So you're playing.

[qlizard]

Yes, of course; I just wanted to make 100% sure, because earlier in the post it appeared to me that you were recommending "edit" during playback for capturing, then said later that you use "auto". I'm glad, because I respect your opinion and I began questioning my use of "auto" when I do VHS captures.

You play a tape to a capture card. So you're playing.

[lordsmurf]

1. EDIT = for recording with the machine
2. AUTO = for general playback on the machine
3. SHARPEN/EDIT/SOFT = for special situations, when playing on the machine

That better?

[FulciLives]

1. EDIT = for recording with the machine
2. AUTO = for general playback on the machine
3. SHARPEN/EDIT/SOFT = for special situations, when playing on the machine

That better?

Wait a sec ...

I thought EDIT mode was when you were PLAYING a tape with the intention of making a copy to another device such as another VCR.

So wouldn't EDIT be the best option (in most cases) for a capture?

At least that is how I read my JVC manual.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman