Could someone please offer advice on a decent set of cables?

[ProperRogue]

So i'm thinking it might be time to upgrade , at the very least, the cables going from my VCR to the Hauppauge PVR-250 card.

Here's my dilemma. The rear of my VCR has only 2 outputs for A/V-out ( 1 video / 1 mono audio ). So far, I've been using the RCA video-to-video cable that came with my ATI card , which as you might know , is sort of skimpy and really flimsy, but all in all , it works.

Second, I have a Y-adapter going from the Audio-out of the VCR, into an RCA-to-3.5mm cable, similar to the one pictured here. Then into the pvr250, which I suppose , sort of simulates a stereo sound. Sound really isn't an issue, since my recordings are all mono anyway. I just found though , without the y-adapter, the audio was only coming out of one channel.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6334111&type=product&id=1077625917379

My question is , there's only so much I can really get , quality-wise , from a VCR tape anyway. What cables, and I've tried searching here high & low, would you recommend for just a basic VHS-DVD transfer?

I'm not really wanting to spend a lot of cash on something like Monster, or anything like so.

Also, when working with RCA's and such , is there really such a thing as a dedicated composite video cable? Somthing a little thicker than the shoelace that came with the ATI.

Basically, what cables do you all use for general transfers, and have been happy with the results?

I realize there are factors for quality, such as -

it's only as good as the capture card you're using
it's only as good as the VCR you're using
it's only as good as the cables you're using - and so-on

Any help you all could provide is more than welcome.

Thanks

[jagabo]

Unless your composite (RCA) cable is defective, or you're running over 25 feet, spending more will not deliver better quality. About the only thing you can do to get better quality is to use an s-vhs VCR with a line time base corrector ($300+) and a full frame time base corrector ($300+).

As I understand it you have a Y adapter to go from the mono RCA output of the VCR to two RCA connectors, then the stereo RCA to pinplug cable. That should provide you with dual mono audio (the same audio on both channels). Be sure the pinplug is seated well into the Hauppauge card. If not, the symptom is exactly what you're seeing (hearing?) -- audio on only one channel.