2-4-6-8 Head VHS VCR!!

[Marvingj]

Hey Guys! After watching a Good Old Football game with some friends. We got into another debate about Vcr's. On of my Friends, says the more video heads a Vcr has the better the sound and image quality. I disagree with, I said Some Vcr like (Akai VS-X2000EG) has 8 Head which gives you a enhanced editing ability but the faster recording speed gives you a better picture. Please help me clear this one up. I would appreciate all advice on this subject matter.

[hech54]

I think you contradicted yourself in your post...you may want to re-read that.
I always though that anything above a 4 head VCR was only sold in PAL territory?

[piano632]

When a VCR has that many heads, not all the heads are being used simultaneously. Two might be used for getting the best quality from SP speed, another 2 would be optimized for EP speed, 2 would would be flying erase heads which are for accurate editing without "rainbows" at the edit points. The other 2 might be for slow motion or other type of special effect.

Usually the "extra" heads are for trying to make EP speed recordings look presentable - they don't really make SP speed any better than a 4-head machine. There is a downside to all this - the more heads, the more wear there is on the tape.

More heads doesn't always guarantee better quality - there are many high-level VCRs which only have 4 heads. But then again, anyone buying a professional level VCR isn't likely going to be using it in EP speed.

[lordsmurf]

But then again, anyone buying a professional level VCR isn't likely going to be using it in EP speed.

Ohh... I wouldn't say that necessarily.