VCR with S-VHS and 6 Heads: Do you really need all of that?

[jthompson99]

I am looking to buy a VCR that is a dedicated capture VCR only. Can I buy a simple 4-Head VCR or is the quality that much better with S-VHS or 6 Head VCR's?

Thanks for the help.

[wulf109]

If you buying a VCR for use in capturing tapes then you MUST buy one with TBC builtin. JVC makes several models with TBC,it's a high end feature so all other options will be included. The TBC will make a very visible difference in your captures.

[jthompson99]

wulf,

I was hoping you wouldn't say that..........but if you think it will help that much, then I will invest in one.

Thanks for the info.

James.

[Thought Copper]

6 Head VCRs provide cleaner recordings under SLP mode. The extra heads are supposed to make SLP mode look like SP mode. So, the advantage is that you can record more material on a tape without losing too much quality. Personally, I've seen a Toshiba 6 head VCR that records in SLP mode that looks really nice.

SVHS record at a higher resolution (akin to laserdisc quality).

If you record from digital cable/satellite, get a SVHS. You will benefit from the higher resolution captures.

TBC built into VCRs may or may not work that great to clean up jumpy VHS tapes. Video pros generally recommend separate TBCs to stabelize jumpy VHS tapes.

[vance43211]

i have all 3 kind of vcr

my 6 head toshiba show the best pictue

i was shocked

when i brought my svhs jvc

i was expecting even better quality than the toshiba

jvc has a slight edge only if u buy the more expensive tape and record on sp mode

[jthompson99]

Thanks for all the info.

[reason21]

Vance:

I want to record some movies of off my satelite the thing is i cant use svideo or rca's...i can only use the (not sure if its called coaxial antena input) but i can only use that....i recently recorded a movie off my satelite....to my 4 head vcr ...i was wondering if i get a s-vhs vcr will it improve quality? or what can i do? to get better picture....or i can buy a reciever? i get my satelite chann. just tru the cable no receiver nothin...heheh (weird) any info will be greatly apreciated...thanks!


sorry to jump of topic.

[vance43211]

coaxial input will only give u as good a quality as your rf modulator will make


your satelite should have s-video out

your s-video out to your s-video in will get u the best picture most of the time

the reason i say that is i have 2 different cable companies

one them WOW the s-video out look worse than the composite (rca) out

[reason21]

then im foked....i can only use coxial...(rf modulator) so if i go buy a 6head vcr or a s-vhs it wont make a difference???in quality...thanks what about a coaxial converter to svideo or rca's(composite)? that fact is i dont have a receiver or nothing...it's how they have it here...i only get the Coaxial ( black cabel )to my tv...nothing else...thats it.....but i want to try to get better quality when recording off of it....maybe get a receiver or something that i can plug it tru the coxial input...and take out tru the s-video...is that possible? thanks man...sorry for the trouble....any tips welcomed...


coaxial input will only give u as good a quality as your rf modulator will make ???can it be improved in any way..?

[vance43211]

use your coaxial out from your vct to your tv

but use either the receivers composite or s-video out to your vcr input if your satelite receiver has them

i would recommend a 6 head toshiba if u can find one

as more people record in ep(6hr) mode

than sp(2hr)

the 6 head shows a way better picture in ep mode

it look almost as good as sp mode