picture quality in svhs vcr

[ssv]

I bought JVC 3900U svhs vcr and try to backup a dvd movie. I thought the recording quality will be better since it uses svhs but i didn't much difference.
Also If i record in SVHS EP mode and try to play another vcr(not SVHS vcr) it doesn't play properly.

I am thinking of returning this vcr($169) and get the normal vhs (sony).

[uteotw]

I have a JVC 8500 and I'm very satisfied. SVHS quality is a LOT better than regular VHS. Overall I think regular VHS kinda look better as well.

Make sure you use good SVHS tapes, I use TDK.

If you tape using SVHS EP (double time) , it's still SVHS (400 lines) so a regular a VCR won't play it , as it can only record/play 240 lines max. It's like trying to read a DVD in a CD player. You only have downward compatibility , not upward.

Use a VHS tape if you want to record something you want to play in a non SVHS VCR.

In the end , the SVHS quality gain could be degraded by your TV. Make sure you connect your SVHS VCR using the S-Video connector.

[zzyzzx]

I have pne of these JVC SVHS VCR's and I love it. Even on my crappy 1985 19" TV it looks better. Perhaps you are using the VHS-ET mode instead of real SVHS tapes?
VHS-ET isn't much of an improvement, SVHS is.

Of course, if for example, your recording from a crappy cable signal then the VCR won't matter.

[David4Real]

I wasn't really all that impressed with my JVC HR-S5900R but I did notice when you record in S-VHS ET the tape can play back on regular vhs decks that have Quasi-Playback like my cheap $59 dollar vhs deck from Sharp.

I do miss the feature most of all was the old-style jog shuttle that used to be on the regular jvc decks a few yrs back with the circle for the finger to frameserv back-n-forth with...but that's another story of flying erase days..

[vhelp]

ssv,

First, if you got the S-VHS because of it's great looking quality for those long
ET 6hour or 8 hours recording - forget it! It doesn't work like that. You can't
record ET on an SVHS and exptect it to come out great, case it will come out
like crap! Trust me. I too was nieve. I got the SVHS becuase noone told
me that if you record with those $12 SVHS tapes in ET mode for 6 or 8 hours,
that the quality will NOT come out good. Trust me, quality will at best, come
out the same as regular VHS recordings. NO improvement at all!!!!!!!

But, if you record with those $12 SVHS tapes at SP mode, in SVHS mode, AND
your source is good quality, ie, satalette or dvd, you almost wont be able
to tell the difference! I said, almost!

If you got the SVHS for its quality, then use it for that. else, use your
regular VHS for your regular 6 or 8 hours recordings.

Always remember, that SOURCE quality (tv show or movie) will reflect the
quality that your provider (cable or satalette) has in their source produced or
where ever they get their stuff from.

DVD source is the most cleanest, and has higher resolution 720x480.
I can't see satalette having 720x480 (but it may have it in this res.) it
looks more like 640x480 or 480x480 res. quality. IMO, if it were 720x480,
we'd be looking at DVD, wouldn't we?

Well, that's about enough for now.

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Sample Clips . . .revised web site

[homerpez]

I definitely agree with that last testimonial. I happen to have the JVC 3900-something, and all the above is true.

I taped using an S-video cord and DIgital Cable as the source. What I found is that to notice a difference, you MUST record in SP speed, and you MUST use an SVHS videotape to do it.

Even then, it's kind of in the eye of the beholder. I did notice that the SVHS quality was quite similar to the VHS quality, but there is that extra "something" there. Just a little more sharpness, detail. Overall, I'm pleased with it.

Plus, I think (don't quote me) it doesn't react to Macrovision in or out... hehe....