DVD Recorder with 13" TV with only Video, Single Audio Inputs

[Surfmaster]

Hi Everyone,

I am considering the purchase of a DVD recorder to convert my VHS tapes containing TV shows that I taped throughout the year. I already have a good VCR but just a 13" tv with only a composite video input (yellow) and a since audio input (black). The audio inputs in newer TVs are white and red.

I know I could connect the DVD recorder to the TV using composite cables with the yellow video and black audio inputs. I could then connect the VCR to the recorder and TV using the coaxial connections.

My question is will I experience degradations in sound using my 13" TV with the single black audio connection versus a modern TV with separate white and yellow audio connects? Should I just fork up $125 for a new 13" TV with component video inputs as well? Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

[redwudz]

You have to consider your source, which in your case seems to be VHS tapes. If transfered properly to your DVD recorder, the DVDs should be about the same quality as the tapes.

How you want to view the DVDs is up to you. They should look the same as the tapes on a TV. But if you are also going to watch commercial DVDs, an upgrade of your TV is one option.

For the system you are considering, component video inputs are probably the best for quality, then S-video and finally composite, which is what you are presently using.

For audio, stereo (2 channel), compared to the mono (single channel) you have now will be an improvement. If you want to spend a few dollars more, especially if the sound quality is important, look into adding a small surround amplifier and speakers. You can get a setup like this quite reasonably at one of the major department stores. That would give you surround sound, the way commercial DVDs are meant to be heard.

You might even go with the sound system first and leave the TV upgrade till later. With a 13" TV, even component video may not be a huge improvement over composite. It is much more noticeable when you have a 25" or bigger set.

[RowMan]

I have a different system for viewing DVDs, but have a small VHS to DVD conversion system setup like this...

VCR to DVD recorder via audio/video connections

DVD recorder to TV via audio/ video connections

I use a splitter to convert the two audio output connections from the DVD recorder (white/red) to a single plug to go into the audio connection of the TV.

Since the VCR and DVD recorder are connected to each other directly, it does not affect the sound quality of the DVD recording at all.

[Drahken]

The TV will have no effect on the copying of tapes to disc, that all depends on the VCR. Does your VCR have red/white/yellow jacks or just yellow and one other color? In the latter case, you don't have a stero VCR, and all the tapes you already recorded on it will be in mono, and sound degradation won't be an issue.

If your VCR has red/white/yellow jacks, use those to connect it to the DVD recorder. Using the coax connection will give you a noticeably lower quality copy. Since this will have a permanent effect on the discs you create, this is your most important connection.
Since you are dealing with a 13" set, the connections to your TV aren't very important, there will be little visible difference no matter what. You could either use the coax connection or the yellow/black connection. You can improve the sound somewhat by buying a "Y" connector that will turn your single plack jack into 2 jacks for red/white cables. This won't give you true stereo, but it's better than just connecting the white cable to the black jack.
If you really want good sound, get a surround sound system and connect the red/white audio outs from the DVD recorder to the surround sound system instead of the TV. If it is important, but not that important, a new TV might be better (the price is roughly the same).

[Surfmaster]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your fast replies. I always appreciate the advice I receive from this forum.

I have a stereo VCR with RCA connectors (red, white and yellow). I will connect it to a DVD recorder with the RCA cable. I also will purchase a "Y" audio connector to connect the DVD recorder to the black audio plug in my TV. This should help maintain the sound quality. Thanks again!