VCR to DVD: Anything better than JVC HR-S5902U under $200?

[tluxon]

I'm looking for recommendations for a VCR to dub about 120 2-hour (all recorded at SP) VHS tapes to a HDD DVD recorder. None of the tapes are S-VHS but the majority of them are in excellent condition considering that some are up to 20 years old. I plan to record to DVD at no worse than SP speed so I'm looking for a VCR that puts out really clean output.

I'm looking at the JVC HR-S5902 for $145 at Vanns (http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/473179805). I really can't go for the $400 HR-S9911U unless the results are clearly obvious to the untrained monkey. Is there any better solution for under $200?

Thank you!

Tim

[CrazyCanuck]

Hi tluxon and happy holidays BTW, I purchased that very same model some months ago to dub my VHS tapes, I use s-video cable and it gave me very impressive results compared to the cheapy VCR I had before. The only thing that I don't like about it is it has a "Video Calibration" system that you need to turn off otherwise "Video Calibration" will activate and flash each time it tries to adjust the tracking which will show up on your dvd recording so I just turn it off and adjust the tracking manually if needed, other than that it's a great unit.

Also be aware that depending on the quality of your tapes, some recorders might think that they are copyright and stop recording, you might want to look at purchasing a recorder where the Macrovision can be relaxed allowing you to copy your home videos, the Liteon 5045 (with HDD) with appropriate firmware version would be my suggestion for your project.

Cheers

CC

[tluxon]

Thanks for the input.

I wonder if the S9911U also flashes "Video Calibration" when tracking adjustments are made automatically?

When you researched your 5902, what other VCRs were in the running in a similar price range?

I already have the LiteOn 5005 with Guitarman's firmware mod for tapes that have macrovision effects. I'm leaning a little toward the JVC DR-HM30S because of its PQ and the fact that it has a multi-brand remote, which the LiteOn doesn't have.

[compuser]

In regards to the "Video Calibration" message. There is an option under Menu|Function Set called "Superimpose" and if you set it to 'off', you will not see the message that CrazyCanuck is refering to.

I am very happy with my 5902. It is also a good tuner for Lite-on's. I use the 5902 with my 5014.

[lordsmurf]

My last used S-VHS unit was betwee $150-200 used, and is in perfect shape. I helped two other people do the same thing.

[tluxon]

My last used S-VHS unit was betwee $150-200 used, and is in perfect shape. I helped two other people do the same thing.

Where did you get them and how can you tell they're in perfect shape before you buy?

[lordsmurf]

eBay and people I know.

eBay works well. The way to know is to read auctions, buy from reliable sellers (check feedback for comments from BUYERS), and ask questions if you have any.

[FulciLives]

Try and find a Hi-Fi Stereo 6 Head VHS VCR by TOSHIBA on eBay. The top of the line model adds DNR and the very top of the line has DNR and is S-VHS.

Personally I don't think you really need the DNR but I guess it would be nice to have if you can find one ... that's the trick these days.

The old 6 head Toshiba VHS VCR's were rather spectacular. Shame they are not made anymore.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[HomeMovietoDVD]

What format does the VHS-to-DVD product record in? MPEG-(?)...
I myself am looking for something to "quickly" put old home VHS's straight to DVD, to edit at a later date.
Any suggestions??

[FulciLives]

What format does the VHS-to-DVD product record in? MPEG-(?)...
I myself am looking for something to "quickly" put old home VHS's straight to DVD, to edit at a later date.
Any suggestions??

Get a JVC or PIONEER stand alone DVD recorder ... one with a built-in HDD is helpfull.

The Pioneer DVR-531H-s can be bought at WALMART for just under $300 which is a great price for a DVD recorder with a built-in 80GB HDD.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[HomeMovietoDVD]

Will it copy to a format I can edit later, when I have the time?

[tluxon]

Will it copy to a format I can edit later, when I have the time?

Pretty much all digital formats can be edited later on a PC. Mpeg-2 can be edited once dubbed back to the HDD of many DVD recorders. Some editing (more or less depending on unit) can be done by DVD recorders on DVDs that have been recorded in VR mode.

[tluxon]

Try and find a Hi-Fi Stereo 6 Head VHS VCR by TOSHIBA on eBay. The top of the line model adds DNR and the very top of the line has DNR and is S-VHS.

Personally I don't think you really need the DNR but I guess it would be nice to have if you can find one ... that's the trick these days.

The old 6 head Toshiba VHS VCR's were rather spectacular. Shame they are not made anymore.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I currently use a Toshiba W-704 6-head VCR for all my VHS conversions because it gives the best picture of any VCR I've ever owned. Unfortunately, I don't think it has DNR like my Mitsubishi HS-U57 has, but the U57 has a slightly grainier PQ. Also, the U57 has been up above the garage for several years now because the forward takeup reel doesn't work and I was told it would cost a minimum of $150 to repair. I've tried to take the case apart to see if I could do the repair myself but kept running into a dead end.

[lordsmurf]

This site has a lot of folks that know quite a bit about VCRs. Have you got any inclination as to what is wront with the Mitsubishi? If so, then I suggest you start a new thread on it, in an attempt to fix it. The restoration forum would work fine, since it's a piece of advanced hardware.

Also be sure to take care of the Toshiba with regular cleanings after so many hours of use.

It sounds like you already have some great equipment, just not working entirely.

[tluxon]

Well I could've sworn I still had that Mits up in the garage but for the life of me I couldn't find it after looking high and low for it for at least two hours. I remember asking for advice on it back in April 2005 and being led to the VCR repair website, http://www.fixer.com/, so I was certain I still had it because I don't remember giving it away and I can't imagine that I would've sold it.

So, if I'm going to fix any old higher quality VCRs all I have left is that NEC (I found the manual and see it is a N895EU) that I bought back in late 1985. It is literally a tank and has worked every day since I bought it without anything more than a periodic tape cleaner being run through it. Any chance it would be worth it to fix and end up being better for tape transfer than the JVC HR-S5902?

[FulciLives]

I currently use a Toshiba W-704 6-head VCR for all my VHS conversions because it gives the best picture of any VCR I've ever owned

Why the worries with fixing your other VCR units when you already have a most excellent Toshiba VHS VCR?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[tluxon]

I currently use a Toshiba W-704 6-head VCR for all my VHS conversions because it gives the best picture of any VCR I've ever owned

Why the worries with fixing your other VCR units when you already have a most excellent Toshiba VHS VCR?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

The NEC N895EU finally stopped working in one of the bedrooms and I thought I'd replace it with a combo DVD/VCR unit. Finding there were more tradeoffs than I had hoped for in a combo unit prompted me to stick with separates. Now I'm hoping to put a HDD DVD recorder with a separate VCR in there. As long as I'm putting a DVD recorder in there, I'd just as soon be able to use it for VHS -> DVD conversions as well.

Tim

[MeekloBraca]

i bought a JVC 7600 off ebay for 150 dollars CA. And the guy threw in MOnster s-video cables and audio cables to boot.

[tluxon]

Okay, so if I want to pick up a better older unit off of eBay, what models are going to be better than the JVC HR-S5902?

Thanks!

[MeekloBraca]

Anything HR-s5903 and up i would imagine. But dont get suckered into a bidding war on any of the 9000 series VCR's theyll sell for 250-300 bucks used with nothing with em, but you can buy now a 9911 on ebay for 250 bucks.

[FulciLives]

Okay, so if I want to pick up a better older unit off of eBay, what models are going to be better than the JVC HR-S5902?

Thanks!

I had a brand new 5000 series unit about 4 years ago and it lasted all of a single year give or take before breaking (though I used it very heavily in this period of time but still). It was total garbage. It had a decent S-VHS image when using real S-VHS blanks but S-VHS ET looked poor and regular VHS was poor. I guess I should say medicore rather than poor but for the price I was not very impressed. My 6-Head Toshiba units did much better VHS than this model JVC.

It's mostly the 7000 and 9000 series JVC units that are the better units.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Here is a nice looking 6-Head Toshiba I found on eBay: Click Here

I once had 4 of these at once ... excellent model. No DNR but who cares! Actually mine was the 784 I think and this says 785 but it looks exactly like the models I had which did not have DNR but the eBay auction says the 785 does have DNR which is ... hey ... even better I guess

[tluxon]

So you don't think it's essential to get an S-VHS deck? On the Toshiba M-785 you found it doesn't look like there are any front video inputs, which the kids need because the TV doesn't have them. Of course, I guess they could always use the jacks on the DVD recorder.

Here's a few S-VHS JVC VCRs I picked out on eBay because they looked like good ones. Would someone mind taking a look and advise if one of these would be best suited for VHS -> DVD transfer and/or perhaps make some suggestions?

JVC SR-TS1U PRO S-VHS SVHS SUPER VCR EDITING DECK NR

JVC HR-S7800U SUPER VHS VCR - EXCELLENT CONDITION!

JVC-HR-S9911U Super VHS 4 Head HiFi VCR SEALED HR-S9911

Thank you!

[davideck]

Okay, so if I want to pick up a better older unit off of eBay, what models are going to be better than the JVC HR-S5902?

This may interest you...
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=287476

[FulciLives]

So you don't think it's essential to get an S-VHS deck? On the Toshiba M-785 you found it doesn't look like there are any front video inputs, which the kids need because the TV doesn't have them. Of course, I guess they could always use the jacks on the DVD recorder.

There is a "door" on the front left hand side that flips open and there are A/V jacks there.

My understanding is that a S-VHS VCR only makes for a better source when playing back a factory made VHS/S-VHS video OR when playing back a real S-VHS tape be it a factory made tape or one recorded in a S-VHS VCR. It really should make no difference when playing back VHS videos that were recorded on another VHS VCR.

My experience is that Toshiba used to make the best VHS VCR's and you said yourself that your Toshiba is the best looking VHS VCR you have ever owned.

Tis a shame they are no longer made this way but hey ... that's what eBay is for

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[tluxon]

Okay, so if I want to pick up a better older unit off of eBay, what models are going to be better than the JVC HR-S5902?

This may interest you...
https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=287476

Yes, I read that thread a few days ago and came away feeling there's no substitute for personal experience. My own personal experience has been that although my $1400 orig. list NEC N895EU was a great machine and built like a tank (as they say), it's PQ never did quite compare to the Toshiba W-704 I'm currently using. However, it was slightly better than the Mitsubishi HS-U57 others think was such a good VCR. Since I'm already quite pleased with the Toshiba, I'm willing to stretch a little bit and try something I'm not so sure about. This particular VCR may not get all that much use and I really want it to have front A/V jacks. What do you think of the three I listed in the above post?

[LCSHG]

I have dubed quite a few VHS tapes to DVD
I have a a ilo RHD04 $198.00 and a Go Video DV2150 Combo $70.00.
The VHS has 4 heads will record.

The go Video VHS not for recording [play only] and the DVD is play only

The Go Video feeds the ilo and does an outstanding job.

I also have two Very good 4 head Panasonic VHS and a 6 Head VhS.all older.
I also have an old very good 2 head VHS that plays as good as tha prior units mentioned but is not as good when recording which is why the 4 head unit came along. If your tapes are 20 some years old they may have been made on a 2 head machine.


It should be noted that only two heads are used in playback. The other heads are used in recording and were used for a [Quote 'better recording']. Actually a good two head unit would do the playback job but try and find one

When dubbimg VHS to DVD You want to use SP. The resolution of VHS was not that good to begin with and I'M sure tha t a DVD in LP willL look as good or better than the VHS. I've even used EP without a real noticeable difference

[davideck]

What do you think of the three I listed in the above post?

The JVC SR-TS1U looks to be a "professional" version of the 3600, without TBC/DNR. I have a 3600 and its playback performance is not the best. The other two look better.

I would definitely recommend an S-VHS VCR. Since Luminance and Chrominance are recorded separately on tape and processed separately by your capture device, it is best to keep them separate by using an S-Video connection between your VCR and capture device. Otherwise, the two components will be mixed into composite in the VCR only to be reseparated by the capture device. This process can sometimes introduce noticeable artifacts.

I also find that my SVHS VCRs typically play back my VHS tapes better than my VHS VCRs, particularly pre-recorded commercial tapes.

[TBoneit]

I have dubed quite a few VHS tapes to DVD
I have a a ilo RHD04 $198.00 and a Go Video DV2150 Combo $70.00.
The VHS has 4 heads will record.

The go Video VHS not for recording [play only] and the DVD is play only

The Go Video feeds the ilo and does an outstanding job.

I also have two Very good 4 head Panasonic VHS and a 6 Head VhS.all older.
I also have an old very good 2 head VHS that plays as good as tha prior units mentioned but is not as good when recording which is why the 4 head unit came along. If your tapes are 20 some years old they may have been made on a 2 head machine.


It should be noted that only two heads are used in playback. The other heads are used in recording and were used for a [Quote 'better recording']. Actually a good two head unit would do the playback job but try and find one

When dubbimg VHS to DVD You want to use SP. The resolution of VHS was not that good to begin with and I'M sure tha t a DVD in LP willL look as good or better than the VHS. I've even used EP without a real noticeable difference

My understanding of four head vs two head VCRs is that one set will be narrow 19micron and optimized for the 6 hour speed recording. The other two heads will be much larger and are use for the 2 hour speed when recording and playing back.

The reason is that the tape runs so slow at 6 hour (ep) speed the wide heads would overlap the last track being recorded. OTOH the wide heads should give results at preventing dropouts and a better s/n ratio to the recorder electronics.

There are/were other units that had other features to improve recording and playback of course. Not to mention flying erase heads to allow better insertion of video when editing.

[tluxon]

Based on what I've read on this site, I'm guessing that of the three eBay VCRs I linked above, JVC HR-S7800U SUPER VHS VCR - EXCELLENT CONDITION! would be the best of them?

If I stick with S-VHS and happen to find something other than a JVC, which ones should I be looking out for?

[LCSHG]

[ TBoneiT ]

I don't believe a two head Recorder is being made.
The 4 head units are common.
I believe that JVC still makes a 6 head unit that is for super VHS etc.

The heads were sometime back, some 25 microns.
All the heads today are 19 microns. There was a move to reduce to less than 19 but I think this was dropped because of DVD Disk.

I am not aware that any 4 or 6 head units, have two size heads

I can not see why you would want any overlap on a recording. This would cause a severe tracking problem. The main reason for the 19 micron heads was to help eliminate any overlap and a resulting tracking error

The head rcords in a helical pattern across the tape and depending on tape speed it will record information over a greater or less tape length.
Naturally the greater the length the better the resolution, as the bit rate in DVD disks.

In recording the 6 head JVC might do a better job especially using SVHS etc. I really think that very few are doing this. They will still use 2 head for play, any more is no gain

Today, I think most heads used by VHS manufactures are fron very few vendors. Most are very good quality and I think that any good unit will play a Tape as well as another