A VCR Question for the Australian Forum Users ??

[VEBouto]

I want to convert alot of VHS tapes to DVD and would like to purchase a really good quality VCR.I have come across the JVC HR-S6970AA Super-VHS VCR and am wondering if any Aussie's in this forum have one or an earlier model and what the quality is like. I want a VCR with S-Video output, and this JVC model seems to be the only one that i can find available in Australia.
There is also an older model JVC HR6960 S-video, but this seems to have been superseeded by the 70AA.
I have noticed that the JVC Super-VHS HI-FI Video models mostly discussed in this forum are only available in the U.S.A. and have diifferent model numbers than the ones available in Australia.
If someone can recommend any other Top end VCR brands and models with S-Video output i can buy in OZ it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

This is something to start researching myself.
My Aussie PAL tape (PAL B/G) look like shit in my UK PAL player (PAL I) because it's really NOT the "same" kind of PAL. Angers me to no end.

I almost don't care about TBC, just a good PAL S-VHS unit with features similar to the JVC units.

I know the JVC SR-V10E is a PAL unit, from oz.

Because the more hardware-minded people seem to hang out in the RESTORATION forum, I'm moving this thread there. It's probably safe to assume you want a good unit to improve your image quality anyway, so...

[VEBouto]

I sent an email to JVC in Australia asking if the HR-S6970AA features a TBC but the answer i got back was that the HR-S6970AA is not featured with TBC however it does feature a Video stabilizer which corrects vertical vibrations.
What would the difference be between TBC and Video Stabilizer if any?Would the stabilizer help with Macrovision?

[VEBouto]

These are the spec's of the JVC, but i'm not sure whether it has the DigiPure feature.

Multi-System Super VHS Hi-Fi Stereo Video Cassette Recorder
HR-S6970AA

RRP $379.00 Aus Dollars

MAIN FEATURES

Super VHS ET Recording will record S-VHS pictures on normal VHS cassettes

Multi-System Compatibility

PAL/MESECAM/NTSC 3.58/4.43

NTSC Playback on PAL TV with Hi-Fi Audio

Hi-Fi VHS Stereo with NICAM/A2

B.E.S.T. Picture System

Auto Channel Set On-Screen Display w/ Bar

Multi-Brand TV/Cable/SAT/DVD Compatible Remote Control

Reliable Timer Recording (G-Code, Rec Link, Express Programming)

Front AV/S Inputs

Digital Y/C Separation

Advanced Jog

OTHER FEATURES
Easy Recording & Playback

Auto SP/LP Timer Recording

1-Year/8-Event Programmable Timer

Instant ReView

Variable Search

Index Search

Skip Search and Shuttle Search

Repeat Playback (up to 100x)

Fine Still and Frame Advance

Quality & Convenience

DA-4 Head System

Rec Resume

Picture Control

Plug and Play (Auto Tune)

99-Channel Frequency Synthesised B/G, D/K, I Tuner with Hyperband

English Colour On-Screen Display

Overlap Warning

10 min. Timer Backup

Power-off Dimmer

140 High Speed FF/Rew (T-120/E-180)

Wide-Range Auto Voltage

[lordsmurf]

I sent an email to JVC in Australia asking if the HR-S6970AA features a TBC but the answer i got back was that the HR-S6970AA is not featured with TBC however it does feature a Video stabilizer which corrects vertical vibrations.
What would the difference be between TBC and Video Stabilizer if any?Would the stabilizer help with Macrovision?

TBC in a VCR is "line based" and therefore, no, it will not strip out copy protection.

Read more here:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246129

and here:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=250528

[NamPla]

Your local Retravision can get in the HR-S6970s for $350. No TBC built-in, but has S-video output. Just team it up with a CTB-100 (same as the AVT-8710) TBC for $379 from Questronix (Sydney). Both devices can handle PAL & NTSC (unlike the SR-V10E VCR, which is PAL only - and $300 more). Happy shopping!

[lordsmurf]

Just understand that TBC built into the JVC is NOT the same as the CTB-100. Not at all. Just wanted to make that clear.

The better combo would be the SR-V10E with a CTB-100. Costly sure, high quality definitely.

On a tighter budget, the 6970s is probably workable. About on par with USA 3000-5000 models. Higher end non-TBC models typically have "editing" functions in them like flying erase heads, etc. Some of the lower end ones do not.

One of my setups is currently a 3800, no TBC, and a DVD recorder, and it works in certain situations.

[NamPla]

Just understand that TBC built into the JVC is NOT the same as the CTB-100. Not at all. Just wanted to make that clear.

The better combo would be the SR-V10E with a CTB-100. Costly sure, high quality definitely.

Understood. But surely the line-TBC in the high-end JVC PLUS the full-frame TBC is overkill? The good thing about the SR-V10E is the DNR...but only if "capturing" to a DVD recorder, yes? If capturing to hard drive in avi format, one can filter more effectively & precisely with, say, avisynth & so DNR is not necessary in the VCR...?

For that matter, a simple Panny or Sony would do the trick, but of course the 6960/6970 has S-video out (tho' there are, indeed, contradicting reports on the relative merits of using S-video output with normal VHS tapes).

$200-$250 for a good new brand name VCR...jumps to $350 for the 6970 S-VHS...and to $660 for the SR-V10E...! (BTW, only a few SR-V10E's left, I believe!)...(if any!)... And, remember, in Oz it is important to have a dual-format playback device (which the SR-V10E is not).

[phase52001]

Also looking for a VCR to archive a rather extensive VHS collection, (to DVD via a TBC), I looked around, did my research and bought a JVC HR-S6970AA.

After 4 weeks I have to say that I'm extremely disappointed with the picture quailty. And thats regardless of what tape I try in it. Even tapes recorded on the unit return a poor picture.

Nosiy, herring bone pattern, "running colours".

Anyone else with a JVC HR-S6970AA find this?

I have contacted JVC but haven't heard back yet.
And yes, I have checked everything. It can only be the VCR.

[lordsmurf]

It can only be the VCR.

More specifically, that exact VCR.
Simply sounds like the unit is bad, overly worn, or needs maintenance.

[phase52001]

It can only be the VCR.

More specifically, that exact VCR.
Simply sounds like the unit is bad, overly worn, or needs maintenance.

It's brand new, 4 weeks old. Very little use.

[teeg]

I've had my 6970 for a few weeks. It is a little noisy in playback but I haven't recorded anything on it yet. I have found that in some tapes colour bleed is more pronounced as compared to my 10 year old Panasonic VCR.
Haven't been too thrilled with it -- it has been okay.

Setting image stabilisation to ON and AUTO provides a marginally better filtered picture compared to playing back on EDIT without any.

[lordsmurf]

It's brand new, 4 weeks old. Very little use.

Does not matter. Still happens with any product from anybody. A few of them will be duds. Just exchange it and try again.

[phase52001]

It's brand new, 4 weeks old. Very little use.

Does not matter. Still happens with any product from anybody. A few of them will be duds. Just exchange it and try again.

Yes, I realise that.
It's just the odds of getting the "dud".

Going through the "return process" now.
I contacted JVC who suggested "moving it as it may be interference" etc.
Usual stuff.

Mind you if this IS the BEST picture you get from this unit, (especially after 25 years of VHS technology), I'll be after a refund. It's rubbish.

We'll see how it goes.

[lordsmurf]

It may well be power interference. What you describe is a chroma problem, and chroma problems are known to happen from dirty power sources. But that's just one of many possible reasons. The likely one is still that you merely got a dud, so try again.

[phase52001]

Yes, the original unit O was sold was a dud. With a capital 'D".

Just got the replacement yesterday, plugged it in this morning and its working fine. The picture quality is what it should be.

While the retailer did a very good job helping me out with this issue, (thanks "Good Guys" at Chatswood), I was rather disappointed with JVCs customer service. They did nothing and admitted nothing, even after I explained my personal situation, (disabled), beyond sending some emails that amounted to "take it back or take it to a service centre".

OK, maybe thats all they are required to do legally, but .........

Anyway, working now.