Cheaper SVHS VCR's

[hockeytown9321]

I know the 9000 series of JVC SVHS's are the best for cconverting taps to DVD, but I can't afford that. Would a chepar(less than $200) JVC SVHS be any better than my current Sony VCR? And if so, any recommendation on which model?

[Cole]

Not knowing what is available in the US, the JVC S-VHS machines available (well... available ish) in the UK seem to be two layered. The lower end models 5xxx and 6xxx don't have the TBC functions, but the higher end ones 7xxx and 8xxx do.

It would be a question of comparing the specs of the JVC models and seeing which was the cheaper one that has the TBC function, which is what makes all the difference to the quality of playback.

My experience of Sony VCRs; the picture was awful. Very grainy and dreadful chroma noise. I ended up giving it away.

As I said, I don't know anything about the US models available, but I hope that some of this is useful.

[hockeytown9321]

Does anybody know which 7000 models have a TBC?

[wwaag]

I have a 9500 and also a 7600 which have TBC.

wwaag

[lordsmurf]

7800, 7900, SR-V10U

[BrainStorm69]

The HR-S7600U also has a TBC.

[ronnylov]

My JVC HR-S7700 has a TBC. Maybe this is a PAL model only because it's not often mentioned by the NTSC people here.

[Marvingj]

There are a few other models that have TBC that are not JVC...Panny, mitsubishi, hitachi.. Can't think of exact model numbers but I'm sure you can find one on EBay for around a $100.00..

[Baatfam]

Please help me understand as I'm considering looking for one of these JVCs....
Do only the 7600, 7700, 7800 and 7900 have TBC or do all the 7000 series machines have it?
How about the 8000 and 9000 machines? Is it all of them or only some of the model numbers that have it?

And finally, is there any reason to prefer one model over the other? Or should I just take the one in the best shape? The one with the lowest miles?

Thanks,
Bob T.

[SatStorm]

Just to add: My Philips SVHS deck has a TBC and works fine

[Marvingj]

The ALL 7600, 7800, 7900 have TBC (2mb)....ALL 9000 Series have tTBC (4mb).. 8000 Series & 6000-7200 have no TBC but other filters that are good. All 2000-5900 NO TBC or Filters..I think that covers it..

[Baatfam]

Cool!! That's what I needed to know!
Thanks!

[BrainStorm69]

The ALL 7600, 7800, 7900 have TBC (2mb)....ALL 9000 Series have tTBC (4mb).. 8000 Series & 6000-7200 have no TBC but other filters that are good. All 2000-5900 NO TBC or Filters..I think that covers it..

I think the HR-S9400U does not have a TBC. HR-S9500U and above do.

[lordsmurf]

And it was not until the x600 (9600) that they got all the other AUDIO and VIDEO filters (stabilizer, calibration, picture control, audio levels, etc).

I've never seen a 7600, so not sure what it has. Only seen 7800 and later.

So x500 and earlier are no good in my book. Get the latter ones. They are less machine. Anything below 7000 missing TBC/DNR.

[BrainStorm69]

Actually, the 9500 has everything except picture control. But it does have a "tape dub" mode which is basically the same as setting it to "edit" under picture control.

My 9500 is a good machine.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, but picture control modes are probably one of the most important features of the JVC S-VHS units. AUTO, SHARP, SOFT ... super useful. Not having those may as well be any other VCR.

[DrAtomic]

There are a few other models that have TBC that are not JVC...Panny, mitsubishi, hitachi.. Can't think of exact model numbers but I'm sure you can find one on EBay for around a $100.00..

Which models of Mitsubishi? HS-U790, 781, 795, or?

[BrainStorm69]

@DRAtomic - The only Mitsubishi VCRs I have heard of having a built-in TBC are the newer Digital VHS (D-VHS) variety. I have not heard of that for Mitsu VCRs of the vintage you mention. I can tell you for sure the HS-U781 doesn't have one (I own one).