Quality VCR to convert tapes to digital

[eyyy]

I want to transfer home movies (on VHS-C format) to digital. Going
through a digital camcorder to do that.

Issue is finding a good VCR to play the tapes from. Is there a VCR
that gives very good S-video output, and good audio output?

I bought an $80 JVC with S-video out, but it has a terrible buzz on
the audio, so it's no good.

I just need some device to play these tapes from, one time, at high
quality. Any suggestions are welcomed.

[lordsmurf]

Use a VHS-C camera to play them, not a VCR.

[VideoJockey2002]

A buzz in the audio shouldn't happen, should it? Have you tried more than one S-VHS cable? I've had some brand new cables right out of the package be defective. To me, that buzz is suggestive of 3 things: (1) Some video signal is bleeding over into the audio circuitry or (2) Adjustment of the manual tracking function is required, (3) The VHS-C adapter you are using is defective.

I'm no expert but I, too, have been looking for a good VHS VCR. Mostly I'm relying on the customer reviews found at NewEgg.com, CircuitCity.com, and ePinions.com. You might want to look there for some information.

I've decided that the Sony models are still delivering output that is pleasing to most people and they are delivering reliable performance over a reasonable period of time. Every other brand I've come to know and trust are receiving too many bad reports. Either they break down after a few months, or there's some sort of poor rendering of the signals that leads to less than acceptable output.

It seems that even JVC is disappointing many people these days. Even those who go for the $200 U.S. models with a built-in Time Base Correction (TBC) circuit are reporting disappointments.

As we all know, since the early days of VCR, there were only a few factories making them while scores of companies slapped their corporate logos on them. I'm guessing that today, the same is true, although I also am guessing that there are even fewer factories making VCR's.

I'm not saying that Sony is the best brand for all things. I'm only saying that, from what I've read, Sony VHS VCR's are performing more in line with people's expectations and they are working long enough to make them worth the $60 to $80 U.S. price tag.

[bendixG15]

I am very suspicious of customer "reviews" at online stores.
I think they are sales stories for adolescents who need to be told what to buy.

Sony has been the "disappointment" for me...

Have had good luck with my JVC VCR for the past year and a half.

[VideoJockey2002]

I am very suspicious of customer "reviews" at online stores.
I think they are sales stories for adolescents who need to be told what to buy.

Sounds like you become confused easily. I guess you have to severely limit your data base so you're not overwhelmed by the pertinent details.

You're pretty funny. I'll bet you subscribe to Consumer Reports.

I'll also bet you sit wide-eyed while engorging yourself on the marketing hyperbole at vendor's sites.

P.T. Barnum told us there were people like you.