recommended used VCR for captures in the approx $100 range?

[robroth]

I've done my searching here and took lots of notes. As a result I've been searching for the past week for used JVC HR-S9xxx and GoVideo SDV650s and Panny AG-1980s and SLV-R1000s and SVO-2000s but they're all going $200-$250 and up.

Ok, so it's clear I can't afford the best, I couldn't find anything recommended that's a good price/performance piece that might come close for less money. Any recommendations for used gear in the $100 area that would be good for taking sub-par quality 15-20 year old home videos and digitizing (via a Canon Elura 60 video camera)? Thanks.

[snowyplover]

I don't use miniDV camcorder (pass through mode?!), but I use Xpert DVD Maker (PCI card) from V-Stream to digitize my old VCR tape in either SVCD or VCD quality. The quality is acceptable since analog video resolution is low anyway, and it does not help to digitize in DVD resolution. You may consider to turn on deinterlace mode during capture to have better video. BTW my VCR is low end model and made by Sharp, and the video output is composite signal.

I paid Xpert DVD Maker around USD$25 on eBay last year. I believe MSRP is about USD$75.

Hope this help.

JSL

[davideck]

I would add these to your list;

with TBC/DNR
* JVC HR-S7600
* JVC HR-S7800

without TBC/DNR
* JVC HR-S6800
* JVC HR-S5800

[robroth]

thanks davideck, i'll look into those as well.

snowyplover thank you too, but my question was really just regarding VCRs, i have all the hardware/software necessary. i do alot of work directly from DV so was just looking for the missing component. i'll give the camera a try as a capture device, it's supposed to work well and as this is just a hobbyist thing, i'm not ready to invest in a canopus card or other hardware solution.

[robroth]

Are any of the new HD units that advertise 'digipure' any good? I've seen some JVC HM-DH30000U units go for reasonable prices.

[lordsmurf]

Digipure is the JVC patented technology for noise reduction and signal processing. It's part of why JVC products are so good, but there are other features that make up those machines with high praise, not solely Digipure.

[FulciLives]

Look for a 6 head or 4 head Hi-Fi Stereo Toshiba VHS VCR. You want a model that has the V3 technology. Pretty much just the 6 head models have that but there is a 700 series 4 heard model that is really nearly as good that has the V3 tech. Stay away from 600 models even if they have V3 as they were garbage. I think all the 6 and 4 head models with V3 have a 700 something model number (the S-VHS with V3 has an 800 something model number).

You should definately be able to get a 6 head Hi-Fi Toshiba off of eBay for under $100 unless you want S-VHS in which case expect to pay alot for the Toshiba model (when it shows up on eBay which is not that often).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
I looked on eBay just now and didn't see any 6 head models other than the multi-region models but keep looking they do pop up now and again.

[robroth]

Thanks for the additional ideas. BTW is anyone familiar with the Mitsu HS-U760? That's what I currently have and it's allegedly a 'high end VCR'. Useless to me right now since it won't play the tapes I need to dub, but I'm researching the problem and hoping to get it working again.

Nevermind, I'm learning as I go and as this doesn't have TBC, any of the ones recommended would likely do better.

[mech5engr]

I need to convert vhs to dvd (less than 20 tapes).

Which of the following vcrs would you buy and why (same price)?

1) Mitsubishi HS-U775 - (S-VHS)
2) Toshiba w704 -(6 heads) (VHS)

[FulciLives]

I need to convert vhs to dvd (less than 20 tapes).

Which of the following vcrs would you buy and why (same price)?

1) Mitsubishi HS-U775 - (S-VHS)
2) Toshiba w704 -(6 heads) (VHS)

How about a Toshiba W-707 ... eBay link ---> CLICK HERE

Personally I'm rather found of the Toshiba 6 Head models with the V3 technology.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mech5engr]

Toshiba- sharper rendering of VHS?
Mitsubishi- S-VHS , heavier construction?

What about spending a little more for a panasonic 1960?
(still under $100)

[mech5engr]

Two W-804s (six head s-vhs) were auctioned on ebay. Both were sold for less than $100 (including remote, some cables, shipping). I won one of them.

[pijetro]

Tell us on the performance when you get a chance..

[FulciLives]

Two W-804s (six head s-vhs) were auctioned on ebay. Both were sold for less than $100 (including remote, some cables, shipping). I won one of them.

I almost bought one of these one they were brand new ... I would like to get one from eBay but the last time I followed an auction for one it went for over $300.00 and then the next time I found one listed it was reported to play A-OK but not function as a RECORDER ... so I decided to pass on it.

But the W-804 is my dream VCR

Currently I am using one of the 6-Head H-Fi Stereo V3 models (which does not have the DNR function).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[robroth]

why is that a dream vcr when it doesnt have a TBC?

[vhelp]

fwiw.. not everything has to be TBC equipt, *to be* a dream.
The unit can be superior in many ways (not requiring TBC to be such)
and quality functions can be both, Recorder as well as Playback

Also, and as long as you are using the same VCR for both your Record
and Playback functions, (specially for Transfer -to- DVD projects)
then, a TBC is not required..

Heck, I consider my JVC S-VHS HR-S3910U superior

Have a look at this topic.. there is an on-going research into the
very subject, "TBC" and is quite an interesting read..

** Confused: Why a VCR with TBC if separate TBC needed anyway?

Cheers,
-vhelp 3795

[FulciLives]

why is that a dream vcr when it doesnt have a TBC?

Over the years I found a long time ago that the Toshiba 6-Head Hi-Fi Stereo VHS VCR units with the V3 technology were the best. At one time I had like 4 of them. I remember when the S-VHS model was out and available and I almost bought one but I didn't and of course I kick myself now.

I also have an old (and unfortunately on the blitz) Toshiba 8-head Hi-Fi Stereo VHS VCR that can do NTSC, PAL and SECAM and that thing kicks ass as well. It has a tendacy to eat tapes now but hell the thing is 10 years old and probably fixable although I have no idea how to do that myself.

Now I do admit that the 9000 series JVC units sound nice (at one point years ago I was also considering one of these but at that time they were like $650 or so) but I just like my Toshibas what can I tell you.

And as vhelp pointed out you don't need a VCR with a built-in TBC as that is not always "needed" and there are always the separate Full Frame TBC devices.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mattso]

fwiw.. not everything has to be TBC equipt, *to be* a dream.
The unit can be superior in many ways (not requiring TBC to be such)
and quality functions can be both, Recorder as well as Playback

Have a look at this topic.. there is an on-going research into the
very subject, "TBC" and is quite an interesting read..

** Confused: Why a VCR with TBC if separate TBC needed anyway?

Cheers,
-vhelp 3795

This thread is actually proving the worth of VCRs with built-in TBCs. Something that a standalone, full-frame TBC unit doesn't seem to accomplish by itself.

[gshelley61]

Here's some more JVC S-VHS units with the TBC/DNR that you can keep an eye open for...

HR-S9500U
HR-S7500U
HR-S7900U
SR-V10U
SR-V101U



Without TBC/DNR:

BR-S378U
SR-S365U

[robroth]

nice. i just scored an ag-1980 on ebay for $115. no remote, but i can live with that. i've been watching these for weeks and this past week there's been a glut of them and they've really come down in price.