who said vhs is dead !

[victoriabears]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/JVC-SR-W320U-WVHS-HD-High-Definition-Hi-Vision-VCR_W0QQitemZ2802127...QQcmdZViewItem

What the dickens is this !

[edDV]

That is for the Japanese HiVision (Muse compression) sytem. YPbPr in and out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W-VHS

For the North American ATSC system (MPeg2 compression), see D-VHS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-VHS

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Wow, that thing is definitely more than a few years old and is beat to shit...
Probably belonged to a TV station.
Nice RS-232C interface -- good luck getting Windows to recognize that! Notice the ad doesn't mention anything about the software you'll need to utilize the "Built-in RS-232C enables you to externally control this unit from your personal computer.".
No remote either...
Quite a bargain at only $2450.00. If you're interested, I have a laser disc player I could let go for less than $2000.00!

[olyteddy]

...
Nice RS-232C interface -- good luck getting Windows to recognize that! Notice the ad doesn't mention anything about the software you'll need to utilize the "Built-in RS-232C enables you to externally control this unit from your personal computer.".
No remote either...

Most professional editing decks use RS-232 based controllers. I used to have a list of the commands and codes for Panasonics (we built a public access TV playback system based on Panasonic S-VHS decks), so it is possible if you can find an RS232 port..

[orsetto]

Reports from the one or two members on this forum who were lucky enough to snag one of these JVC WVHS decks cheaply indicate they are the ultimate no-holds-barred, playback-into-digital source for standard VHS or SVHS tapes. Apparently they take the already world-class JVC TBC/DNR circuits one step higher, and have incredibly precise transports with the best-quality heads ever put into a VHS unit.

They rarely turn up on eBay, but that doesn't mean they're worth $2,450 either. Many, many "pro" decks that sold originally to production houses for $10,000 fetch barely $100-200 on the secondary market. The JVC WVHS units are marvelous and scarce, but unless you're the son of a Saudi prince with money to burn they are certainly not worth thousands of dollars. The more-common but still "exotic" JVC and Mitsubishi DVHS decks will give 85% of the results for $200-300. [Of course if you see a JVC WVHS for a couple hundred listed by a reliable seller, its worth going for: once in a while they go for a song.] Just don't count on knowledgable repair service from JVC USA, however: they've probably never even seen one of these.

[SatStorm]

This is not news.
I could spend 1000 euros for a unit like this. But 2.450 dollars, no.

[Video Head]

As good as these may be, at over $2,000 one would need to be doing alot of very high-paid restoration work or just like spending money. As for it being HD, it's still linear tape with all the hassle, pitfalls and downfalls of tape.

I'm going to pass on this one and stick with my Mitsu.

If anyone is going to purchase it and needs an RS-232 controller system I could probably dig up an Amiga 4000T with a Newtek Video Toaster for about $8,000. :P

[victoriabears]

I am pleased this created so much interesting information, I look at Ebay a lot and just wondered if the seller was smoking something - apprently he is.