which is prefered jvc vcr for transfer?

[greenbag]

been reading that jvc's are the prefered vcr for vhs->pc transfer, and came across a list of jvc's a while back... but can't find the post again

so, was wondering which is the more prefered jvc model to look for?

tia

[lordsmurf]

NTSC (HR-S####U or US)
9600
9800
9900
9911
SR-V10
SR-V101

PAL (HR-S####E or EK)
7600
7900
7965
8900
8965

Only ones I remember off hand.

[greenbag]

thanks lordsmurf...

especially pointing out ntsc/pal versions... didn't even think of that.

I was able to find notes I made of the page I mentioned, and seems the hr-s9911u doesn't have ghost reduction. Will be looking for 9xxx series around town, but if unable to find, do you know if the newer jvc dvd/vhs combo units would have tbc/dnr, g/r, and dropout compensator? Reason I ask, is I've seen a few in local buy/sell for $200-250. More than I'd like to spend, but safer than ebay.


cheers

[lordsmurf]

No such thing as a "dropout compensator".
Ghost Reduction does almost nothing anyway.

[greenbag]

Looking in my local buy/sell, there's a JVC HR-S5000U for $195cdn...

All I could find by googling, is it's the first unit released by JVC, and that there's a few in the community that swear by their's. Other than that, I have no idea how it compares to the 9xxx series. The guy says it's in 'perfect condition', but that doesn't mean much, and that it has the editing features, a link cable (whatever that's for), and floating erase heads (which I don't need... just using for transfering).

Does this sound like a unit worth picking up, or should I look for the later versions (9xxx series)?

thanks in advance

[lordsmurf]

Get a 9xxx.
Older ones not all that great.

[orsetto]

I was able to find notes I made of the page I mentioned, and seems the hr-s9911u doesn't have ghost reduction. Will be looking for 9xxx series around town, but if unable to find, do you know if the newer jvc dvd/vhs combo units would have tbc/dnr, g/r, and dropout compensator? Reason I ask, is I've seen a few in local buy/sell for $200-250. More than I'd like to spend, but safer than ebay.

NONE of the JVC consumer VHS/DVD-R combo decks has any of the features you are looking for. The DVD recording part is excellent but the attached VCR is only OK. They are better than average for a combo vcr, but they don't have the TBC/DNR/etc circuits that LordSmurf recommends (and that many of us find very useful). The only combo decks JVC made with these upscale VCR circuits are the semi-professional, obscenely overpriced SVHS/DVDR decks. New ones are priced in the $1000 range and have gained an EXTREMELY poor reputation for reliability (JVC has good and bad models like every other mfr). Way out of your price range anyway.

Your budget will require patience in waiting for an affordable JVC SVHS deck to turn up, and you will likely not find one at all unless you do risk an eBay purchase- at this point eBay is the most plentiful source: a high-end JVC vcr is not something likely to be posted on a supermarket bulletin board or found at a local flea market. Prices on these decks fluctuate a great deal depending on supply and demand any given week: a nice mint one will usually sell above your price range but every couple weeks you should see an opportunity to snag one on eBay at or below your $ budget. While you're cruising eBay, it wouldn't hurt to include JVC or Mitsubishi D-VHS HDTV vcrs in your searches. The D-VHS machines do have all the TBC/DNR/Sharpness Adjust features you want, are much newer than the classic JVC decks, and may be available at very attractive prices depending on demand week-to-week. The most recent models were JVC SR-VD400US and Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U.

If money is really tight right now, you may want to reconsider your workflow. If your tapes are mostly good quality, you might want to just pick up a used JVC DR-MV5s consumer combo VHS/DVD Recorder. These can be had for a song these days, sometimes as low as $60 for one that looks used but works perfectly. The VHS deck in these units is adequate if your tapes are not extremely challenging to play, and the DVD recording portion is about the best ever made: it is specifically optimized to make VHS transfers, better than many PC encoders can achieve. You could just dub your tapes to eraseable DVD-RAM discs using this combo, then put the DVD-RAM into your PC and load the video directly into your editing software. This won't work well for tapes recorded off poor analog cable TV or multi-generation copied tapes, for those you do need the high-end VCR. But it should be fine with tapes you recorded off-the-air or with a camcorder.

[Wile_E]

I would avoid buying used junky vcr's on ebay. You never know how many hours of play and how worn the heads are. There are newer JVC models available that are just as good, and still have all the DNR filters.

Here is one model a friend bought. I've compared captures to my JVC 9911U, and this one actually is a little better than my 9911U. I plan to purchase one myself.

This VCR also has firewire and outputs to a MPEG2-TS file at a high bitrate of about 13000kb/s. More than enough for editing and then re-encoding back down to DVD bitrates.

JVC SRVD400US
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285082-REG/JVC_SRVD400US_SR_VD400US_Pro_HD_D_VHS...er_Player.html

[orsetto]

I would avoid buying used junky vcr's on ebay. You never know how many hours of play and how worn the heads are. There are newer JVC models available that are just as good, and still have all the DNR filters. Here is one model a friend bought. I've compared captures to my JVC 9911U, and this one actually is a little better than my 9911U. I plan to purchase one myself:

VC SRVD400US
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285082-REG/JVC_SRVD400US_SR ... layer.html

Wile_E, the OP has a maximum budget of roughly half what this JVC sells for new (including shipping and maybe tax) from the vendor you found (although that is absolutely a great price for a brand new one, from a reputable source). That's why I suggested looking it up on eBay where it often sells at under $200 for a mint one- many people who bought these new at the original price of $700+ had not a clue what to do with them and they just sat there unused for 18 months until it occurred to their owners to resell them. I totally agree with you most second-hand JVC models on eBay are a bad risk, however your specific JVC 400 DVHS recommendation is a much much newer oddball unit, far less likely to have been abused. (Also I have bought nearly a dozen cheap used JVC DRM-V5s combo units off eBay myself, not one had an issue, and I handed them off to happy family and friends when I finished with them.) Quite a few JVC vcr models, even the legendary ones, should be avoided used because they tend not to hold up well. But the two models under discussion here, SR-VD400US DVHS and DR-MV5s, are different and likely to be a safe second-hand bet for someone who needs to stay within a limited budget.

[2Bdecided]

I haven't found a similar useful discussion about PAL models - do they exist? I don't think we every saw much DVHS over here, so I guess not.

Cheers,
David.

[lordsmurf]

My SR-V10U was bought used, and it's fine. I've sold 7000 and 9000 series machines in excellent condition. Some of them were barely even used (backups or one-off project buys) that sat for years and year doing little or nothing, then eventually were sold as "used" to recoup funds. Don't attach a stigma to "used" or "refurbished" because it's simply not true. You can just as easily buy a brand new machine that is broken or in poor condition.

The phrase is "buyer beware" not "buyer avoid". 8)

[orsetto]

Yes, LordSmurf is correct to remind us, we shouldn't over-react and write off used items altogether, that was my point in replying to Wile_E. LordSmurf is also wise to suggest "brand new from a store" is no guarantee either (especially with a JVC). But when it comes to used VCRs "buyer beware" definitely applies: these are electro-MECHANICAL devices which can and will permanently ruin your tapes if you do not thoroughly test them before using on an important project. The element of risk in second-hand electronics on eBay varies considerably depending on the device: high-end VCRs are in the more-risky category due to mechanical complexity, possible difficulty of repair, and in some cases inflated amounts of money involved.

I have bought (and resold) a large number of used VCRs on eBay, each time from a seller who backed their item up with a return policy. Out of 16 used vcrs purchased on eBay since 2003, I have had 4 with issues: one Sony SVO2000 was DOA (no power on), one JVC 9911 chewed tapes, even though it was mint in box, another JVC 9911 had loading problems. The sellers took them back for an immediate and cheerful refund. The fourth problem vcr was wildly misrepresented as a new model by a crafty, malicious seller who set himself up as "THE vcr expert" on eBay, but what arrived was a totally worn out MGA pro editing VCR from 1986 which was deemed unrepairable because of discontinued parts. Seller reneged on his return policy, gave *me* negative feedback after I gave him a neutral, and screwed me out of nearly $400. The moral is, use your gut instinct: if the seller seems too flashy (way too many pictures) and full of themselves, and their prices seem high, back away. If you are not familiar with a model number, GOOGLE IT before bidding- find out how old it is.

At this stage of used VCR demand, prices have dropped considerably, you should not pay more than $200 for a good, low-miles high-end JVC 9xxx or D series, Mitsubishi 2000 DVHS, or Panasonic 1980 SVHS (the only models that have the deluxe TBC/DNR circuits). Even a year ago people were paying ludicrous prices for a JVC 9911/9xxx series, or Panasonic 1980: absolutely insane. Those days are over, most video hobbyists have completed their VHS>DVD transfers by now: its a buyers market again. DON'T OVERPAY. And if you are in a country that uses the NTSC standard, you can save yourself a lot of headaches by narrowing your search to the two DVHS models mentioned: JVC SR-VD400US and Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U. These were sold new in stores for $700+ between 2003-2006, but most buyers were yuppies flush with cash and short on brains (the DVHS HDTV concept was stillborn because of DRM and never really took off). Almost nobody bothered to use them much after purchase. So most second-hand examples are mint: expect to pay $150-200 for a lightly-used unit. If bidding over a sustained period exceeds this amount, forget eBay bidding and just buy a brand new one direct from B&H Photo online (or a reputable eBay specialist) for $379.

[binister]

This forum is great. I have started a year long project to convert all of my parent's VHS tapes to digital formats (mostly DVD). I have been using an old Sharp VCR->Canon DV camcorder->PC for capture. I saw the JVC SR-VD400US on B&H and it caught my interest. I came here for more info and was surprised that a lot of people recommed the older Panasonic 1980 S-VHS player.

I do not mind spending $300-400 for a good unit because this conversion will take a long time. Would someone still recommend an older cheaper unit over the current line of JVC (VD400US and MV45US) if price was not a factor?

Do both of the JVC VD400US and MV45US units have TBC capabilities? It isn't listed in their specs.

Thanks again for the info!

[lordsmurf]

Those days are over, most video hobbyists have completed their VHS>DVD transfers by now: its a buyers market again.

Nah, I don't agree. What I observe is still a steady growth. There is no drop aside from early adopters, many of whom have pulled out the VHS tapes to redo them with more modern filtering-type equipment with better MPEG encoders. So even that group hasn't disappeared. Their early conversions were usually rough-draft quality at best, and they've gone back to do it correctly this round.

[vhelp]

I would also add.. about the worse thing that anybody could ever do is throw away their
vhs tapes after they have completed them -- captured to HDD and encoded to mpeg dvd.
I've seen this many of times here where someone would say something along the lines
of.. 'I done all my transfers to dvd.. and threw out the tapes..' well, you get the picture.

I've lived long enough on this earth to know (and realize) that you don't throw certain
things away. And, I would also say that even going back a few years here that the
quality obtained through the usual vhs -> dvd projects were prob average quality.

I mean, its alright (because of the time constrants, etc) when you have a large library of
vhs to transfer over to dvd that one looks for an easier method, and the usual these days
is by using a dvd recorder. This is perfectly acceptable for when you have those loved
ones (who aren't too keen on quality anyway) to get a fast vhs -> dvd copy. You can
always make an attempt to improve on the quality of at least certain tapes for those
special occasions at a later date.

But, when the quality is really important, and you have the knowledge and trail n error
background of many years (spent here for instance) then you already know that for max
transfer quality an analog capture card is the number one recommended equipment.

By then, the next (continued steps) in the process is the person attempting the preservation
or restoration of the video for maximum quality.. whatever that may be to the restorer.
This apsect would require the various and regorous process of post editing and filtering
algorithms that go into the restoration project.

And over the years, you learn how to master your tools (if you stick with them long enough
that is) that you stand by them in terms of their features and capabilities.

Now, I've been spending many years studying and researching in the various areas of video
imaging and restoration processes. I am no expert, by no means. But feel that I am now
at a junction where I have moved onto the next platue -- development of image filtering
plugins or stand alone (imaging processing) tools to aid in this endeavor. I have built up
many ideas to date, though some include Image Noise Reduction mostly. But I would also
like to investigate other apsects, like Watermark (logo) removing and a few other ideas
I don't want to get into here just yet. But I would like to get my first filter successfuly
made into an avisynth plugin, and so that it can also be used inside VirtualDub as well
besides avisynth. That is my goal for 2008.

-vhelp 4496

[greenbag]

First off, sorry for such a long delay... seems I forgot to update my email addy... woops :P


Well, after a lengthy search in the local pawn shops, buy and sell, and craigslist, I finally came across 'something'... JVC HR-S7800U for $165cdn, and came with 10 unopened Fuji SVHS tapes (160's). Wanted a 9xxx series with the 4mb buffer, but seeing as this was the first decent one I came across in over a year, I didn't want to pass it up. The seller was a videographer for weddings and such, so it's in awesome condition. The first thing I tried... the TBC/DNR... plugged in a tape I've used repeatedly for temp recordings, (hockey and such), so I know the tape has noise... a hell of a difference . Not perfect, as the tape's old and worn, but enough that the noise isn't as noticeable.

Now I just need to get a better capture card, and I can finally get going. My ati aiw 2006 pci-e is crap. Never mind the driver issues, I'm getting a 3-4 inch 'band' of interference whenever I capture, or even playback to tv from the pc. And it reverses fields for some reason, BFF being captured as TFF... in both ati's MMC and vdub. Not very happy. Will be getting a hauppauge instead.


Once again, sorry for such a long delay in response... didn't mean to be so rude. I truly do appreciate your suggestions... and the time you took to post them.



cheers

[victoriabears]

I have been very pleased with the panasonic 1980 I have and the euro equivalent NV 200 (?), the JVC's do afford some betterment but sometimes can make things worse.

What your tapes were recorded on is an important factor, and mine were mainly panasonic recorded,the sharp vcr's also give a nice playback.

My tapes wre all recorded carefully with 1st class feed of satelitte in the UK and digital cable here, honed as perfect as the supplier could get, so that is an important factor also.

Some folks have stuff recorded from signals that I would never have put up with.

[greenbag]

My tapes, were Fuji Masters (160's). It was for the Woodstock '99 weekend. I 'bought/borrowed' 4 higher end toshiba vcr's from the store (normal, not s-vhs). Took back after the weekend :P

The vcr's were set on a 15 minute overlap, so I could have decent splice points. The reason for the 4 vcr's, is so I could still go to work and get home in time to switch the next 4 tapes. And they were the same model, so the quality was the exact same.

They've only been played less than a handful of times, and that was shortly after recording... I dubbed a couple of bands to a few other tapes for some friends, but they've been saran wrapped and boxed ever since, waiting patiently

By the way, I'm kinda choked... I used to own a 'go video' 'tape-to-tape' unit. Seems like that would've been good enough



cheers



edit:

Forgot to mention, the tapes were sp recordings... 60hr broadcast, 30 tapes.

[victoriabears]

As has been mentioned on here before, JVC and Panasonic are love/hate brands wheras sharp and toshiba are quite liked by many.


I would try the VCR's you have access to, and what method of capture to dvd were you gonna use, dvd recorder or computer?

I would go dvd recorder on xp mode if you can, the extra discs are worth it for best method , where in Canada er you?

[greenbag]

thanks victoriabears....

I've already tried the vhs-to-dvd approach... several different units, all resulting in artifacts. All done in the xp mode, and only 45 mins per disk. Seems their internal buffers aren't too good with fast moving scenes, or even a concert. The best unit, even duplicated frames... one scene had Wyclef Jean strumming down 'once' on his guitar, as he was telling a story... the recorder made it so he strummed 'twice'... even though the audio only had the one. During Ice Cube, the video froze for a split second as well, even though the audio was ok. Wasn't very happy. Decided to dub again, then planned on splicing between the 2 dubs using the pc... way too many artifacts for my liking, and way too many 'glitches' to splice. I now have a few hundred disks that aren't worth.... um, ... 'crap'.

That was before I knew about this site. After doing some reading, seems my best bet is to use the pc, capturing 'raw' using a proper capturing card... and the s-vhs units with TBC/DNR. So, I now have the jvc, will be upgrading my aiw to a hauppauge, and will be setting up 2 500gb satas in raid0 for the fastest capture possible. Think that's the raid a readme mentioned.

Also, since I have a lot of splicing to do as it is, I need to capture as avi, then compress to mpeg 'later'. The broadcast went like this: one band started on the east stage, then 1/2 way through that set, another band started on the west stage. The parts of the sets which we didn't see 'live', were repeated during the 'overnight'. By splicing between the 'live' and 'overnights', I'll be able to get complete sets for each band. Also, seeing as it was a ppv, there was that 'nag' at the bottom of the screen every 1/2 hour or so... "this is a ppv... no rebroadcast....". But, in some of the sets, such as Metallica, they repeated the entire set during the overnight... I'm able to splice the nag out of 'most' of the sets


Will be getting the hauppauge in Jan or Feb, and will go from there.


By the way... I'm in BC Lower Mainland


Also... I mentioned in my last post, that my aiw's reversing fields as it captures... I just read something that ntsc tv and vhs are actually tff. That's what was screwing me up. Thought it was supposed to be bff.



And Merry belated Christmas