Please settle this once and for all

[CT2]

When capturing old VHS tapes to convert to DVD, will the output from a SVHS jack give a better picture than using the composite outputs on a vcr?

I have vidoes on tape since 1984. Someone told me I would get a better capture if I used a SVHS VCR. I cannot understand how this coulf be. The video tape was recorded in 1984 on a mono vcr in EP mode. Will it or will it not matter if I use the SVHS output compared to the composite output?

[sammie]

Except that the sVHS player might be a better quality player you are right in assuming that the quality of the tape is the same. The main difference is that sVHS players usually come with S-video out which would mean less signal loss through the cable, which in turn reults in a better picture.

Nothing that is going to make an old bad noisey tape good mind you, just a little less bad.

[redwudz]

The main difference between vhs and svhs is that the svhs video output is seperated into two channels, chroma and luma. These are basically color and brightness. It also has a higher bandwidth than vhs. But unless you are playing a svhs tape, you are unlikely to see any improvement over vhs. Svhs recorders are more expensive and break down just as much as a high quality vhs machine. Cheaper to buy a medium quality vhs machine and replace it once a year as I have been doing. Old vhs tapes are hard to get a good quality encode from. Good luck.

[indolikaa]

When capturing old VHS tapes to convert to DVD, will the output from a SVHS jack give a better picture than using the composite outputs on a vcr?

Having transferred 200+ VHS tapes that are approaching 23 years of age, I would say the improvement is minimal but can be noticed in certain situations, particularly screens with an abundance of reddish colors.

This opinion has been formulated after using a Sony SLV-R5U with a "Demo" Monster Cable THX-1000 S-Video cable. Is the perceived improvement in picture worth the $1100 for this combination?

Hardly. Go for a VCR with TBC. You will be pleasantly surprised.

[TheGr8Steve]

I believe, technically, you do get a better picture using S-Video output. I also believe that I could show you the finished product using both methods and you couldn't see the difference. It's something that can, for the most part, only be 'seen' electronically. If you were a professional technician, then maybe you might be able to actually see the difference. Very marginal.

[DrWafer]

talking about plain vhs tapes your benefit of using the Svideo connection is zero.
absolutely waste of time and....wires..


if you want to try something effective you should try a video baseband
corrector amplifier.
With this you can control things like colour correction,britness,contrast,increase the high frequencies of video bandwith for better resolution,etc.
i use something like this but dont ask me where to buy it,i maked it my self.