Methods of capture

[Biffarama]

I will be capturing video from my Panasonic VHS-C video camera, hopefully using an ADVC-100 soon. My question is whether I'd be better or worse off if instead I were to put the VHS-C tapes into the adapter cassette, playing them in my VCR and capturing from there? Or is there no difference between the two methods?

TIA

Biff

[Tommyknocker]

I think I get better results with the camera running the tape. I also own a VHS-C camera, too.

[DVD_Ripper]

You may find quality differences between the two machines. Also, does you cam have a S-Video jack... if so you will want to use that in your ADVC100.

If not try some tests (a few 5 min captures) in both and check the differences out on a test RW DVD. Use the best going forward. I did that a few months back to determine best throughput for me regarding DV-->MPEG-->DVD production.

[Biffarama]

You may find quality differences between the two machines. Also, does you cam have a S-Video jack... if so you will want to use that in your ADVC100.

My cam does not have an S-video jack, just a little RCA (I think) connector I will be using. It's an older model.

[DereX888]

I used to transfer old VHS-C using adapter, from my VCR through TBC to ATI A-I-W Radeon. *But* my VCR was high-end and expensive back then model, with 6 heads. If you have some cheap VCR (well, nowaday theyre all are cheap, aren't they ) and certainly if your VCR is some old 2-head model - then you might be better off using playback from your camcorder instead, since AFAIK all of them have 6 heads (4+2).
Also if your VHS-C tapes are recorded in LP or SLP mode like some of my dad's were - I would stick to camcorder playback with those. I never could adjust tracking well when I was playing back SLP VHS-C tapes using adapter on a VCR (actually on none of them I had).

[iantri]

Well, VHS-C is actually just regular VHS in a smaller form factor (all the adaptor does it make the cassette fit a VCR; technically VHS-C is the same as VHS, just smaller), so there shouldn't actually be a difference, BUT:

The camcorder probably has a better quality tape deck in it than your average VCR. If you have a good VCR, particularly one with an S-Video connection, it may be better. As others have suggested, try each and see.