VHS capturing - question about HDPVR & other options

[DaisukeJigen]

Hello, I have a lot of tapes that I would like to convert and I'm looking for additional suggestions. Some background- I've tried 3 options so far and none have been quite satisfactory:

Sony DVD recorder- would be good except IRE Euro level, so it looks a bit washed out
Funai DVD recorder- too dark/blown out
Diamond VC500 USB - okay, but color a bit washed out and I've read hardware encoding produces better results

I posted over in the DVD Recorder section and people had some helpful info and suggestions for out-of-print models that sounded good, but I'm curious if there might be a PC option that would be easier than tracking down a discontinued unit. Basically, I want the capture quality to match the original tape. I'm not out to make some super impossible cleaned up copy or whatnot, but the colors, brightness and contrast must match the original.

I was recommended the Hauppauge HDPVR, but then I read a lot of reviews saying that it locks up with VHS tapes if you rewind/ff/stop/the tape switches material/etc. Is the HDPVR really that touchy with VHS sources? Aside from locking up, does it capture color/contrast properly? Finally, are there any similar devices that work well with VHS? Thanks much.

[jagabo]

I was recommended the Hauppauge HDPVR, but then I read a lot of reviews saying that it locks up with VHS tapes if you rewind/ff/stop/the tape switches material/etc. Is the HDPVR really that touchy with VHS sources?

Yes.

Aside from locking up, does it capture color/contrast properly?

NTSC, yes. I don't know about PAL.