VTR,s or not

[gran.dad]

Hi
I am new to this forum and have come late to the task of converting VHS tape to DVD.
I have read a lot of posts and I am in the process of trying to find a good SVHS machine.
I have found near me a Panasonic AG 7700 professional VTR for sale in working order.
Now I cannot find anything about this model on the forum. ( possibly because it may not be suitable for my purpose)
Can someone please give me some advise.
Hello to everyone and please bear with me as I am an oldy.

[intracube]

I have found near me a Panasonic AG 7700 professional VTR for sale in working order.
Now I cannot find anything about this model on the forum. ( possibly because it may not be suitable for my purpose).

I've also found very little about this machine online. Some more general points when buying any second hand VTR:
- How much use has the machine had? - Worn video heads can affect the picture quality. Some high end machines can display how many hours the heads have clocked up.
- Some high end VHS/SVHS machines can only play SP 'standard play' recordings. Do you have any long play, or even ELP tapes you want to playback?
If you know you only have SP recordings, then there may be a quality advantage in getting an SP only machine (not sure on that, though).

[gran.dad]

Hi
Thanks for the reply, I don't know the running hours of the machine.
I did have a word with the seller and asked if he could demonstrate it
but he said it was not possible due to where he was staying, so possibly better left.
Most of the tapes I want to do were taken myself on a Sony Hi8 camcorder then put
on to VHS tape with I believe Panasonic VCR's.
I think most of the recordings will be SP.

[intracube]

Most of the tapes I want to do were taken myself on a Sony Hi8 camcorder then put
on to VHS tape with I believe Panasonic VCR's.
I think most of the recordings will be SP.

I'd strongly recommend using the original Hi8 tapes (if you still have them) for transferring to DVD. They should have a significantly better picture quality compared to second generation VHS copies.

Also, you should consider how you want to transfer to DVDs:
- Use a digital video recorder with a DVD writer (easier)
- Use a dedicated converter like a Canopus ADVC300 connected to your computer (potentially better quality).

[gran.dad]

Unfortunately I only have the video tapes.
I have a DVD recorder which I will give a try but first I have to concentrate
on finding a suitable VCR.
If the DVD recorder is not satisfactory then I will have to learn about
the Canopus route.

[intracube]

I'd go for a VCR that:
- Is from a well known manufacturer; JVC, Panasonic, Sony
- Hasn't had heavy use
- Has a built in TBC (time base correcter)

Even if you don't buy from ebay, people often post the detailed spec. of the equipment they're selling; so it's a good way of refining your search.
Something like this probably meets your needs:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JVC-HR-S8600-S-VHS-VCR-VIDEO-RECORDER-VHS-HIGH-QUALITY-/28057791...item4153bf268e

Also use an s-video cable when connecting your equipment.

[Quasipal]

Its the heavy use part that is the real killer. Of late I am seeing many VCR's being sold off from duplication companies. These can be in clean condition but the mecanism and heads are on their last legs.

I purchaced one VCR that had 'only been used several times'. I thought several may be up in the hundreds of hours, but it was more like thousands. So, the features as already mentioned are important but do question the use it has had and don't be fobbed off with 'I don't know'.

[gran.dad]

I had already seen the JVC recorder that you gave me a link to, thanks.
I am not really to bothered about cost but is there really any sure way of
knowing the amount of use this or any recorder has done.

[Quasipal]

I had already seen the JVC recorder that you gave me a link to, thanks.
I am not really to bothered about cost but is there really any sure way of
knowing the amount of use this or any recorder has done.

The answer to this is sadly 'no'. Speaking as a electronics engineer the following will have an effect.

Did the owner use dry cleaning tapes? These rub many hours away from the life of the heads.
Did the owner use the VCR as part of an edit suite or as the main VCR? Main VCR's tend to rack up many hours - most forgotten about by the seller.

Ask questions. The low use decks are owned by private individuals who can tell you the machines history. They will not bluff about 'just used once or twice'. There are good machines out there still, and by asking questions you can secure a good - or excellent machine.

[gran.dad]

Thanks very much for the advice.

I presume it would be difficult to find information about the JVC unit
in the link because of it coming from a company so to speak, rather than
private individual.

Are there any machines that you can now purchase that have spare parts available.

Obviously their is E-Bay for purchasing but can you suggest any others.

[Quasipal]

That JVC looks quite nice - no visible damage. Trouble is, the photo is low resolution so I cannot say for sure. JVC's are very good picture-wise, but it has been mentioned a few times that they tend to go out of alignement over time (which gives tracking issues and tape damage). I have not had any trouble with mine though.

My machines came mostly from ebay, some from private individuals and one from a jumble sale. At this stage ebay is about the best bet as at least you will see a range of machines at differing price points. £150 should get you a very good and reliable machine.

Concerning spare parts, this is a minefield. Online spares places like Donberg show you a part is available, but in reality the part does not exist! Some video heads for even recent (2002) VCR's are no longer available. I have had success with Charles Hyde and Son - they are good. Pinch rollers and most mechanical parts are available.

I have had success with models such as the Panasonic NV HS860 which is tough and reliable (no need for spares as of yet). The HS-830 is good too - but no TBC (has 3D digital noise reduction) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Panasonic-Nv-hs830bs-S-VHS-VCR-/230547410295?pt=UK_ConsumerElec_...item35adb24d77 . The HS-930 is as the 830 but adds TBC and jog and shuttle.

Anyway, it is at least worth asking about that JVC - the seller may know all about it.

[gran.dad]

I have sent an e-mail asking about the 8600 so I will wait for the answer.
I have just seen this machine, what do you think a bit expensive or not.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PANASONIC-NV-HS860-PRO-S-VHS-VCR-VIDEO-RECORDER-NICE-/2805883934...item41545f1c06

Not sure if I have done this link correctly.

[Quasipal]

Yes - the link worked fine.

Well, that is rather expensive - they were around £320 new and with a guarantee. That is not the original remote either - although the functions are similar. I would say the value of that machine is £60-80. The 860 is nice though and offers TBC and digital noise reduction. Probably similar to that JVC but with individual switched filters.

[Lodovico]

Yes, £250 including postage is way too much for an 860 - especially as it may be a refurb. You could buy this German 860 clone for about half that price, including shipping: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390181244662

Personally, I prefer to deal with the "one careful owner" type of sellers. If you're buying a professional deck, you should always ask for info on the service history and head hours. If the seller won't tell, be suspicious.

[Quasipal]

The 860 sold at £235. They are good, but not that good! The VCR market is certainly in turmoil at the moment.

[gran.dad]

Hi Quasipal and Lodovico.
How about this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250726505417&category=3318&_trksi...=p5197.c0.m619
But I would not know how much to go up to.
Just a little suspicious though because when I asked about the working order the reply was, seems to be OK.

[Quasipal]

I don't know that machine - it does look like a low end model with fancy electronics. Perhaps others may know more?

I will add that I am fully restoring a Panasonic NV-HS1000 VCR that has TBC, sharp and soft slider and in my opinion is an excellent VCR. I have not finished yet, as I am fitting some new drive components and giving a full internal clean. Comes with manual and proper remote.

If you may be interested in it, please PM me.

[Lodovico]

The nearest I have is a 7860EK, for which I paid about £50 (one owner, with original box & manual). Looking at the manual of that eBay 7965EK, it appears to be very similar. The build quality of the 7860 feels flimsy compared with some of the other high-end S-VHS VCRs like Quasipal's Panasonic NV-HS1000. It's an adequate deck in terms of image quality and features but not exceptional. I don't use mine any more because I get better results with other decks I've bought.

Just a little suspicious though because when I asked about the working order the reply was, seems to be OK.

You're right, the seller isn't giving off a good vibe there. He's also saying "no returns accepted", so it would have to be significantly misdescribed (i.e., worse than "working" and "seems OK") for you to get your money back.

[gran.dad]

Hi Lodovico
Thanks for the reply, yes I thought the vibes didn't sound good.
I have had a word with Quasipal and things look good for me.