VHS to DVD project...what VCR would you buy?

[quickpick]

Hello...

There seems to be tons of information about DVD players, but I am planning to convert a lot of older VHS tapes to DVD and I'd like to buy the best VCR possible to do the job. I recorded these tapes from TV and used a few different players to do it. Quality of the original tapes is probably going to vary greatly, but I'd like to get the best possible result.

Going back through past posts, it seems that getting a VCR with TBC was very important.

If you were going to start from scratch and buy a VCR for this project, any recommendations would be appreciated, whether a brand or preferably a specific model.

Also, is it worth getting a device to go between the VCR and the capture card to improve quality?

Within reason, cost shouldn't be an issue. Thanks!

[vance43211]

get a toshiba 6 head vcr if u can

in my experience it records and show a better picture than s-vhs, especially in EP mode

with a toshiba vcr

u don't need a macrovision eliminator

[Philbiker]

I would very highly recommend a VCR with all the digital goodies like TBC (Time Base Correction) and noise reduction. I have a JVC 7600 S-VHS machine that's a few years old that does a very good job with older or damaged VHS tapes. I would recommend the current JVC 7000 series Super-VHS model.

[Jester700]

I agree on the JVC. The TBC doesn't always improve things, but sometimes it's REALLY a good thing. And even when it doesn't help, the JVC is a fine VCR on its own.

[crazyrunner]

I just bought a JVC HR-5911U S-VHS vcr for this exact type of project. It was around $120 from ecost.com. The S-Video out makes a HUGE difference in quality.

crazyrunner

[Bob W]

I use a JVC HR-S2901U which has s-video out then I follow that with the SIMA Video Copy master which I bought at BestBuy.

[vance43211]

i have 3 vcrs

a jvc hr vp628u

a jvc hr s3800u s-vhs vcr and

a toshiba m752 pro drum V3 6 head vcr

guess which one shows a better picture and also records better?

the toshiba

i was actually shocked. when i brought the jvc s vhs, i was expecting a even better picture than the toshiba (which i already had).

well the picture was noticeably worse (later, i would read video reviews and they basically said the same thing)

i use the toshiba when i convert vhs to dvd

[quickpick]

Thank you for the responses. From all that I have read, it seems that JVC gets the majority opinion.

I think I have settled on the JVC HR-S9911U:
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL026935

Does anyone have any experience with it and would you recommend it for this purpose?

Thanks again!

[txpharoah]

JVC HRS9800 or HRS9600 if you can find them. Some of the quality of the machine went away with the 99xx releases (eat tapes!). The older ones are the best, and are still sold on quite a few sites. A JVC 7000-series if you need to cut costs. The 3000-, 4000-, and 5000-series machines are pretty limited compared to the 9000-series.

Click here.

The 2xxx and 3xxx models crap out after a year or so.
The 4xxx models are nice if you can find them, but still mid-level.
The 5xxx models like to eat tapes.
The 7xxx and 9xxx models stand up to LOTS of wear.

I have at least one of each of these suckers.
The lower ones are just so I can record and watch tv.
The better ones are all hooked up to computers and/or editing systems.