S-VHS: Any better for TV Broadcast captures?

[David K]

It seems that S-VHS decks are superior for capturing regular VHS tapes, due in large part I suppose to the S-video out.

But will that S-video out make a big difference for the quality when the deck is used for capuring TV broadcasts?

Here's why I ask, and it is because my TV broadcast set-up is bit different. I do not use a capture card for my TV broadcast captures. Rather, I've got a VHS deck with an antenna attached, which I feed into my Digital 8 camcorder (which has the digital pass-thru feature) and then into my computer to be captured as DV AVI. (And from there to DVD eventually.)

Would a S-VHS deck make a big difference in quality given this set-up? I keep my eyes out for S-VHS decks at thrift stores, but it is worth the trouble if most of my capturing is Broadcast TV rather than tapes?

[Marvingj]

Svhs deck will always be better than a Vhs in recording & capturing because of resolution. From what you are trying to do a Svhs would give you a little better clarity. You should go on line to Lordsmurf website he has some good information on source etc. I believe its www.digitalfaq.com

[David K]

Thanks for the reply.

I have been a frequent visitor to Lord Smurf's excellent website.

To focus my question more technically:

Is the TV broadcast signal itself only a composite signal, so that running it out of S-Video out connection will make no difference in the quality of what my capture device receives over what it receives now through the composite out outputs?

Right now I using a Sony SLV-780HF, which is supposed to be a good mainstream VHS deck.

[wulf109]

A TV broadcast is niether composite or S-video. S-video output is always better because it handles the color signal better than composite out. It will be sharper and have much better color separartion. A JVC vcr S-vhs with a TBC will output a signal far better then any regular vhs,it's really like night and day.

[lordsmurf]

VHS is less than broadcast. S-VHS is more. Nothing is really equal.

I have often forgotten I was playing a S-VHS tape when I get lost in a show. The picture is almost a perfect copy of the recorded signal.

With VHS, I ALWAYS know I'm watching an inferior signal. I can see the difference, like a slap to the face.