Pioneer DVR-220 EP quality vs S-VHS

[npraetorius]

Hello

I want to use this unit to capture Tivo-recoded movies. I currently use an S-VHS recorder to do this.

What I'd like to know is if I have a 4 hour film to record, will the resolution/quality be visibly better using this recorder than using an S-VHS? I'm assuming that that variable bit rate could improve the quality.

Thanks much for any assistance.

JP

[JSquare]

Why would you want to use S-VHS when you have an DVD recorder?
Transferring your Tivo recordings to DVD-R 4-hours mode on you Pioneer should look 10 times better than S-VHS LP mode, if you have that mode else is going to be EP(even worse).

I own a TiVo and that's what I'm doing for some of my recordings, transferring then to DVD-R or RW with my JVC, with blank media down to $0.45 or lower why waste your time/quality on S-VHS.

[npraetorius]

That's why I'm asking. S-VHS has always given me (relatively) good quality. I've also read elsewhere (more than once) that the actual quality of resolution of DVD recordings is about the same as S-VHS. If that's flatly untrue, I'd like to know.

10 times better would be great. I'd settle for 2 times. I have a 50 inch screen that really shows up the flaws. The question could be Why spend the bucks on DVD recording now if if it isn't any improvement.

Thanks for your input. Hope I hear from others.

[lordsmurf]

S-VHS is between Half D1 and Full D1 resolutions.

[vhelp]

** S-VHS - - nnn * 400 lines ... or approx 400 lines (or more) ..

** Commercial DVD's - - are 720 x 480 lines

** VCD's are - - 352 * 240 lines
..... A note on VCD resolution.., don't get it's 240 res confused w/ standard
..... VHS lines (which is approx 230 lines) because w/ VCD's, (assuming 480
..... lines) half of 480 ( 480/2=240 ) is half that "actual" resolution..,
..... and that's why for the blurryness from a DVD rip to VCD resoution
..... So, the old fabe, VCD is the same quality as VHS (or vis-versa) is not
..... entirely true

But, just to note, when you capture (or use your DVD setup burner) although
your final DVD's will be 720 * 480, the actual source resolution is not
the 720 * 480 resolution as Commercial DVD's are. i.e., Satelitte signals are
approx 480 * 480 or other resoutions, and can probably vary from one provider
vs. another, and from one channel vs. another, and from source materials
vs. another, etc. etc.
.
So remember, just because you can records; capture; encode or burn at
DVD specs, does not mean that its Full DVD from start to finish and
.
Example, if you use your DVD player/burner to make DVDs from your
favorite VHS movie, anthouth you are making a DVD project, its not Full DVD
as you might think, for instance.

- vhelp

[JSquare]

That's why I'm asking. S-VHS has always given me (relatively) good quality. I've also read elsewhere (more than once) that the actual quality of resolution of DVD recordings is about the same as S-VHS. If that's flatly untrue, I'd like to know.

10 times better would be great. I'd settle for 2 times. I have a 50 inch screen that really shows up the flaws. The question could be Why spend the bucks on DVD recording now if if it isn't any improvement.

Thanks for your input. Hope I hear from others.

If you have both options(S-VHS and DVD recorders) just make a test run on each and see which one will come out better, your source material is already digitized(Tivo), depends which recording mode you used and the source material. If you recorded from Satellite/DSS(480x480) to Best(544x480) mode on your Tivo, then EP on the Pioneer will be 352x480(Half D1) and this looks good on my 55" HDTV.
I still don't understand why you want to use S-VHS for your Tivo transfers, most people in this forum are using their S-VHS VCR to transfer/archive to DVD(a digital format) not the other way around.

[npraetorius]

I haven't made the jump yet to a DVR. Over the years I've managed to collect 2 S-VHS, 2 Laserdisc players & a couple of DVD players, cabled through various switchse to 4 monitors, so I've been holding off on adding a DVR until really motivated by significant improvement in the recording capability of the DVR over the S-VHS. My wife & I are film buffs & have a good-sized library of pre-recorded DVD's & LDs so all the DVR would be for is TIVOing the good stuff off TCM, Sundance & IFC.

I use a Maxtor portable 180 GB HD to transport files among my 3 computers & I love it. I figure in a couple of years these will replace the DVR (unless sooner) which would be great with me. In the meantime if I find a Pioneer DVR-220 for under $200 on Ebay, I guess I'll go for it. One more box on the rack.

Thanks for the help.

[lordsmurf]

vhelp, don't confuses "lines" with resolution.
720x480 is not 480 lines.

All interlaced NTSC video has a x480 (actually more like x483/x486) resolution (when spoken in digital terms).

[npraetorius]

Not sure how this last addresses my question. Was hoping for more of an eyeball/subjective eval from someone who'd done it. All those numbers just boggle my brain.