Test of SUPER-VHS playback quality for various VCRs

[theaveng]

I want to start a thread where people test their VCRs for Super VHS quality. There is already a similar thread for VHS ( https://forum.videohelp.com/topic291582.html ), but I don't have any VHS tapes, which is why it didn't really fulfill my needs. I want to see how well Super VHS performs across different VCRs.

Original author (BrainStorm69) with some modifications by me:



In the interests of as much consistency as possible (and to at least note where your testing methodology was different), I'm going to suggest some instructions for posting here.

1. Download the test vob zip file http://s52.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1OSIQERCMRODB274SFIOHV116P

2. Unzip into an empty TS_VIDEO folder

3. Burn TS_VIDEO folder to DVD using your favorite burning program

4. Place Test DVD in stand alone DVD player and capture directly to your capture device from DVD (we'll use this later for reference) at full D1 (or as close to that as possible) resolution. Note the DVD Player make and model, capture device make and model, what format you captured to (e.g., avi using HuffyUV), and whether you used s-video or composite cables (and brand and model). For these tests, let's not use an external TBC.

5. Place in Test DVD in same stand alone DVD player and tape the output to SUPER VHS, preferable using a new (or at least good condition), high quality Super VHS tape. (SVHS-ET is allowed if and only if you label it accordingly, but we prefer actual Super VHS tapes.) Note the brand and grade of tape used. Note the make and model of VCR used. Use only s-video.

6. Place SUPER VHS test tape in VCR to be tested and capture directly to your capture device at full D1 (or as close to that as possible) resolution. Note what format you captured to (e.g., avi using HuffyUV). Note the make and model of VCR used. If your vcr has any special image quality settings, note what they are set to.

7. Use Vdub or Vdubmod to make screen caps. For each test scene you want to cap, please count 30 frames into the scene after the transition between scenes has ended. You can do this in vdub by using the right arrow on your keyboard. It's one frame per right arrow button push.

8. When you get correct frame, click on the "Video" on the menu bar, and then click on "snapshot source frame" on the dropdown menu. You will get a dialog box to save. It will have an option to save as .tga, .bmp, or ,png file. I would save as a bmp and then use your favorite image application to save as a jpg using whatever compression you need to make the file 150KB or less (since that what the forum rules require for posting images).

9. Post a test image screen cap from your DVD player directly to your capture device (for reference). Post your test image screen caps from your VCR.

If I forgot something, let me know.

[themaster1]

Funny i was about to do the same thing but what about Vhs quality, why you discard this option? That would be cool to know what model/brand does playback best

Thing is i don't have an external dvd player unfortunately.

You forgot an essential point i believe," is the vcr brand new or a bit old" people need to inform us on that or even "is the vcr cleaned up regularly or never"..the types of infos that are precious imo.

The link for the VOB don't work

[lordsmurf]

Too much work.

[ZQX]

What nonsense.

EDIT: Oh, and the test vob link don't work either lol.

[theaveng]

I don't think it's nonsense. You didn't think it was nonsense the last time it was done: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic291582.html

Funny i was about to do the same thing but what about Vhs quality, why you discard this option?

Didn't you even read the first sentence? "There is already a similar thread for VHS." If you want to see VHS performance, just go read that thread.

But *I* am specifically interested in SUPER vhs performance, because that's how almost all my tapes are stored.

[2Bdecided]

I'd do it, if the VOB worked - though I'm in a PAL country.

However, it's probably not that interesting from the point of view of video restoration - your test is how well the machine plays back its own tapes. Most of us are playing back tapes recorded on another machine. At best, the results will be similar. I guess if a machine can't even play back its own recording well, it stands no chance with those made on other machines.

Cheers,
David.