Power Conditioner enhancing VHS performance

[OldMedia]

I was wondering if anyone could make some recommendations on power conditioners that have given good results on analog gear like VCR's (I am not connecting a PC to this line and I do not need power backup) . I am now using a Acoustic Research AR705TC surge protector and line conditioner... but it is definitely a low end model. It has cleaned up some noise that I had been suffering from. My goal is to try and eliminate potential electrical noise as a source for any problems during VHS transfers. I am currently looking at purchasing a Furman PST-8 line conditioner seen here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/379128-REG/Furman_PST_8_PST_8_Power_Station.html

Or a PST-8D seen here - PST-8D also offers isolated outlets:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/379130-REG/Furman_PST_8_DIG_PST_8_Digital_Power_Station.html

I am not sure if others have had great results with cheaper models or other brands, but any input would be greatly appreciated.

[edDV]

This would only have an effect if your local power was dancing for voltage or in total brown out.

A simple UPS will get constant voltage for small devices.

[lordsmurf]

I suggest the $200 range APC units: http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2F...reative=390957

Not Cyberpower! (They crap out too quick.)
Not Geek Squad Best Buy in-house branded.

Sometimes simply keeping the VCR on a separate circuit breaker from the computer gear helps, too. My VCR powerline noise went away when I ran a industrial extension into the next room to pull VCR (TBC, TV, etc) power, and got it off the same breaker as the computer gear and main lights/fans in the office.

I deal with power overages here more than anything else, spikes that the batteries catch.

[BrainStorm69]

Wow. Are you guys saying I should worry about putting my computers and my vcrs on different breakers, or least have them on different electrical circuits? Is that something that helps in every case, or just if you have noticeable image problems? I'm curious as to how much difference it would make.

[edDV]

Wow. Are you guys saying I should worry about putting my computers and my vcrs on different breakers, or least have them on different electrical circuits? Is that something that helps in every case, or just if you have noticeable image problems? I'm curious as to how much difference it would make.

Running equipment off separate breakers increases the chance of ground loop hum for audio. Unless your power voltage is in brownout or fluctuates in the short term, power shouldn't be an issue for simple VCR capture.

Like Lordsmurf suggests, try to avoid using the same circuit as kitchen appliances, water heaters or air conditioners since these can affect voltage as they start and stop. Even so, these are minor issues for VCR capture.

[RabidDog]

Long tube fluorescent lights are one of the worst.. when they blink on in the beginning they cause a lot of interfeference. ALso Fridges are supposed to be quite bad. ALtho I am talking about old wiring (still use fusewire) and old appliances, real old. Again in UK we don't suffer much from bad power (except on pricing)

[BrainStorm69]

Running equipment off separate breakers increases the chance of ground loop hum for audio. Unless your power voltage is in brownout or fluctuates in the short term, power shouldn't be an issue for simple VCR capture.

Like Lordsmurf suggests, try to avoid using the same circuit as kitchen appliances, water heaters or air conditioners since these can affect voltage as they start and stop. Even so, these are minor issues for VCR capture.

Thanks, edDV. I think I'm good, although when the air conditioner comes on, there might be an issue now and then in my bedroom office. However, pretty soon that won't be a problem because my a/c will be running nearly 24/7 here in Texas!

[OldMedia]

You can use a ground loop isolator to get rid of the audio hum if you run into that situation and you don't want to use a ground lifter.

I went to B&H right before they closed and I picked up a APC UPS-500 used for $39, it seems to work pretty good. I think the 300 watts should be sufficient to run 4 VHS decks, CRT, proc amps and etc... I am glad I didn't spend the $180 on the Furman power conditioner. As long as I can get rid of the EMI noise and any brownouts (which the APC seems to be doing so far) I am happy. In these old Brooklyn Brownstones you never know what kind dirty power you might run into.

[lordsmurf]

My wiring is new, less than 5 years old. Age doesn't matter.
The ground loop reducer/remover items still don't beat separate circuits in my experience.