Getting a good picture from vhs to dvd

[bantock101]

I have read with interest the advice on this forum regarding equipment for making the best transfer possible between vhs and dvd. I have just purchased a Sony VRDVC20 DVDIRECT box, which seems to perform well fo taking the material to DVD. However, it is quite noticeable that the picture is blurry. I am assuming that this is because I am lacking a vcr with s-video. My question is, if all I want to get is a better, clearer picture from the transfer, can I go with any vcr with s-video, or do I need to look at the high-end professional boxes to get a good/great visual result. Specifically, while I have read the bad review on this forum of the JVC SRV101, this is an easily obtainable box with s-video, and I would like to know if anyone can suggest this or something in a similar price range, new. I don't want to chance the used pro gear route on ebay unless it is really the only way to go. My only post script is that I noticed one jitter in my initial trial transfer and if there were something that could handle this, it would be a good feature for me. The material I am transferring is classical music live performances from the 1980s. Thank you in advance for any replies.

[Barnabas]

The SVHS JVC units have a MUCH better picture than most vcr's, and have digital noise reduction/TBC too. Beats the hell out of the picture quality from my GoVideo unit.

[Krispy Kritter]

If they are your own recordings and not commercial tapes, then a VCR/DVD recorder combo unit would be the way to go. Just plug in the tape, insert a black dvd, and hit record.