Multi-format VCR player with good comb filter

[TheRealOC]

Morning all, first time poster here,

Just wondering if anyone could recommend a multiformat VCR with RF inputs and outputs, composite inputs and outputs, and a high quality comb filter?

I was thinking that a JVC HR-S7600U would be perfect, but I’m not sure if that will play nice with my CRT (I live in Ireland). The CRT is a Panasonic TX-32PS1L and the manual says that it has a mode that allows it to accept NTSC signal source but I’ve never tested it for playback with imported equipment.

I’m mainly interested in using the VCR for its comb filter - to clean up a noisy RF signal coming from 5-6 old video game consoles processed through an RF combiner. I was looking at the S7600U also because of the ability to have dual output to an RF line and a composite line, so I could potentially send the cleaned-up signal to multiple tellivisions.

Grateful if anyone could recommend a multi-region/multi-format VCR that would do what the JVC HR-S7600U does, many thanks.

[dellsam34]

JVC multistandard VCR's as far as I know don't convert between standards, You need one of those international multi-format VHS VCR's. Modifying the console to have a composite out is much easier than chasing a multi-format VCR.

[TheRealOC]

Will a composite in/out work across all regions?

[dellsam34]

No, but multi-standard TV's can display it.

[TheRealOC]

Thanks!
Might be worth taking a chance on the JVC HR-S7600U after all then?

The PAL CRT seems to accept both PAL60 and "true" NTSC signals, although I don't think it specifies whether this is across both the RF and the composite inputs (attached small screenshot from the manual)

[TheRealOC]

All of the consoles and switch/combiner equipment going into the chain are NTSC compliant so the only question-mark is over the tv

[orsetto]

The manual is fairly clear that it only accepts NTSC signals thru its "AV inputs" (which indirectly means SCART or composite or S-video if it has that). Like most EU CRT televisions with the NTSC feature, it cannot accept NTSC via RF input because that would require an additional NTSC tuner for NTSC channel 3/4. It is easier/cheaper to add NTSC mode to the line inputs, and the demand NTSC RF playback in PAL countries is minimal, so the RF option would be difficult to accomplish unless you somehow cobble together a chain of conversion devices. Since that would likely defeat your aim of crisper picture quality, I'd recommend using an all-AV-connection chain.

[TheRealOC]

Thanks Orsetto, much appreciated.

Do you happen to know of a ‘world standard’ VCR with multi-standard built-in tuners that also has that nice comb filter like the S7700U?

I will end up using an all-AV chain but I’m just thinking it might be useful to be able to convert NTSC RF to PAL RF as well.

[dellsam34]

No, those international VCR's are not geared towards quality, and I don't think they convert RF, Just AV. Try to find a RF standard converter if they ever exist but the quality will be much much worse. Your best bet is to join a retro-gaming forum and ask how to add composite/S-Video to your video game console, but having 6 consoles that makes it little harder.

[TheRealOC]

One last question... will a quality comb filter (like what you'd find in the JVC HR-S7600U VCR player) do much to clean up a noisy RF signal input? (for example, if you had a bunch of RF devices running through an RF combiner with one output to the VCR)?

Or does the comb filter only kick in if you're using a composite source?

[dellsam34]

I don't believe a VCR will cleanup a noisy RF signal and I don't think a comb filter will do much for such a low quality RF signal, Comb filters are used for high quality sources such as Laserdisc, U-matic and Betacam VCR's not the lousy RF signal, let alone converting to another standard. Even a time base corrector (TBC) will not cleanup the RF mess, it just fixes the timing errors.

[dellsam34]

You can get one of these and connect to a flat panel with HDMI:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RF-to-HDMI-All-standard-Converter-Adapter-Analog-Receiver-TV-...-/233267800327

[lingyi]

No, those international VCR's are not geared towards quality, and I don't think they convert RF, Just AV. Try to find a RF standard converter if they ever exist but the quality will be much much worse. Your best bet is to join a retro-gaming forum and ask how to add composite/S-Video to your video game console, but having 6 consoles that makes it little harder.

+1

Unless your console is extremely rare, the right way to get a clean signal is to mod it to at least output composite video. GIGO as the the RF output is already mangled nearly beyond repair, no matter what you do.

[lingyi]

You can get one of these and connect to a flat panel with HDMI:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RF-to-HDMI-All-standard-Converter-Adapter-Analog-Receiver-TV-...-/233267800327

The issue with analog to digital conversion with game consoles is the delay that may be introduced. Better to use an RF Demodulator, though you'd need separate units for for NTSC and PAL.

[TheRealOC]

Would introducing an RF splitter into the chain (so you could have dual output to a CRT via a composite demodulator, and a flatscreen via a HDMI demodulator) ruin the signal even further?

[lingyi]

Yes, you'll lose ~50% (~3.5db) of the already weak signal strength. https://support.channelmaster.com/hc/en-us/articles/200383715-How-Much-Signal-Do-I-Los...2HD-CM-3213HD-. You need to use a distribution amp to maintain signal strength, https://www.channelmaster.com/Antenna_Cable_TV_Amplifier_p/cm-3412.htm, but that may add additional noise to a marginal signal.

Bottom line is get a clean signal from the source through composite, don't try to clean up an RF signal that can be degraded all along the chain from connector to cable to device to connector.

[lingyi]

The proper way to work with game console video output, beyond modding the console, is to use a device like the Framemeister, OSSC or Retrotink to modify the signal.