Looking for feedback concerning VCRs with TBC circuitry

[DGinnetty]

I will be archiving all my old VHS tapes to DVD. I have spent quite a bit
of time researching the best methods to do this on www.vcdhelp.com and
this forum as well.

It appears that a VCR with TBC can improve the playback quality of my
old, jittery tapes with color issues.

I have found JVC to be well received and am trying to decide between
the HR-S7900U and HR-S9900U models.

The big difference I see between the 2 models is a 4 Meg Frame memory
for the 9900 and 2 Meg for the 7900. The JVC website says this about the
frame memory:

"3-Dimensional Digital Circuit with Frame Memory creates a solid base for new digital technologies with a 2Mb or 4Mb memory."

Does anyone know if the frame memory has ANYTHING to do with
my playing back old tapes? What exactly does this do?!?

I don't mind paying the extra cash for the 9900 if it will make things
easier for me, but I want to know if it will make a difference before I
make my decision.

The other big issue I am dealing with is finding a retail store that sells
VCRs with TBC circuitry. I want to make sure that the TBC has an appreciable effect on my older tapes. If it doesn't, I want to have the luxury of returning the item. This option is virtually impossible if I were
to buy any VCR through mail order.

I live in Southern New Hampshire, and would be willing to drive to MA, ME,
or RI to pick up a TBC VCR in person.

Any information, thoughts, opinions, or suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks for reading,

Dan Ginnetty

[Anonymous65]

I tried the JVC with a 2 frame TBC, but it did not do the job correctly at all. The problem with bad VHS video tape is poor vertical sync, or field sync. This will cause audio sync errors and audio jumps when not corrected during capture. The JVC seemed to only correct the horizontal sync, and did not correct the vertical sync. Normally, a TBC will correct both, so that is why I tried a VCR with a built-in TBC first. However, it did not work.

So, I sold the JVC and got a stand alone TBC, the TBC1000 from datavideo ($299). This is the cheapest TBC you can buy new, and it has both compoiste and S-video in/outs. It is really a full frame TBC, and it will correct all video, even insert perfect sync into all noise. So, when capturing via this TBC, you can run whatever video your want without any glitches in the capturing process. I have seen a TBC (they call it an editor) on ebay that has only S-video in/outs for less than $300. There might also be other brands, like Pansonic that will have a true TBC in the VCR, but the JVC does not.