Which VCR for PAL VHS capture (Composite and/or DdD/MISRC)

[Name]

Hello,

I want to dive into the VHS digitalizing process.
As I have 0 equipment, beside my tapes, I need to start from scratch.

My first attempts and learning I want to do with an "I-O Data GV-USB2" capture device.
Later on, I want to change to MISRC and VHS-Decode.

Preferable, I would like to get a Sony as apparently the RF test points are easy to access.

On YouTube I saw that the "Sony SLV-750HF" is recommended as one of the best.

But as I'm located in Europe I would need a PAL VCR and also a device which I could get on the second hand market "easy".

Any VCR you can recommend?

Which VCRs are you guys using?

Thanks!

[dellsam34]

Don't take any video on youtube seriously, There is nothing special about that VCR, What's special about a VCR for conventional tape capturing is the quality of signal processing like TBC, comb filtering, S-Video output, High tolerance precision mechanism, Sadly those features are mostly available on S-VHS VCRs.

While any VCR should work fine for VHSdecode since the electronics are bypassed, the quality mechanism requirement still stands, There are few regular VHS VCRs that match the quality of a S-VHS deck in terms of built quality of the mechanism, But since you're just starting, I would grab the cheapest working VCR you can get your hands on and get familiar with the process, Once you feel comfortable with the process you can then look for a better VCR if you are not satisfied with the results, vhsdecode is not a simple process, there is a lot of tweaking to be done.

[Name]

What if I can get one of these JVCs:

JVC HR-S6600 (70€)
JVC HR-S7500E (170€)

JVC HR-S9500 (270€)

Are the prices reasonable for working devices?

The 6600 and 7500 are without and the 9500 with TBC, correct?

[lollo]

JVC HR-S9500 (270€)

One of the best.

Buy from trusted sources, because actual conditions are important; i.e https://vcrshop.com/shop/?s=jvc+9500&post_type=product&filter_signal-standard=pal&quer...al-standard=or

[Name]

You say "one of the best", on the other hand I read on DigitalFAQ "not recommended".

I get it, plastic gears are a point of failure.

Now the question is, what would be a better affordable solution?

Any indicator I can check before getting the VCR to see if the gears are already worn off?

[lollo]

You say "one of the best", on the other hand I read on DigitalFAQ "not recommended".

That statement on DigitalFAQ is false. Search the german doom9 forum for recommended PAL machines: https://gleitz-info.translate.goog/forum/index.php?board/29-analoges-video-capturing/&..._x_tr_pto=wapp (*)

I have one of them and know other people using it with excellent results. If you search the DigitalFAQ forums, you will see that some users prefer it over the S9600 (included me) because less aggressive (older) chroma noise reduction.

I get it, plastic gears are a point of failure.

Like any other device.

Now the question is, what would be a better affordable solution?

The VCR is by far the most important element in the capture chain, and where 95% of the quality comes from. Do not "save" money on it.

If your tape are in good shape the capture card you plan to use it is ok, together with a Hauppauge USB-Live 2 (even marginally better). Otherwise you may need an external TBC.

Any indicator I can check before getting the VCR to see if the gears are already worn off?

You can ask to seller specific technical questions, but then you have to rely on his answers. It will eliminate resellers obviusly knowing little about VCRs, but not somebody lying. It is always better to have a "return policy"

edit: (*) here and in german doom9 forum, in particular search posts from knowledgeable user Bogilein

[Name]

together with a Hauppauge USB-Live 2 (even marginally better).

Why is this one better compared to the "I-O Data GV-USB2"?


What is the difference between these 3 models:
JVC HR-S9500
JVC HR-S9500E
JVC HR-S9500EK

No letter: International
E: European market
EK: UK market

Is there any technical difference? Regarding the power supply, would the E model be better for the EU?

[lollo]

Why is this one better compared to the "I-O Data GV-USB2"?

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/406066-What-is-best-capture-device/page3#post2660565

What is the difference between these 3 models:
JVC HR-S9500
JVC HR-S9500E
JVC HR-S9500EK

No letter: International
E: European market
EK: UK market

Is there any technical difference? Regarding the power supply, would the E model be better for the EU?

Search and read the (f) manuals

[dellsam34]

On my book, any S-VHS VCR with TBC in a good working condition is recommended for conventional capture, Although I prefer late models for the easiness of repair, but that has nothing to do with playback.

[Name]

@dellsam34:
If we say I would spend up to 300 €, which S-VHS VCR with TBC would you recommend me?

I have to say, I'm struggling to find a VCR release database where I could filter by features or year.

[dellsam34]

Again any S-VHS VCR with line TBC, JVC happen to be the most produced, They invented the format.

[lollo]

I have to say, I'm struggling to find a VCR release database where I could filter by features or year.

You do not like to search by yourself, right? Not a complete database, but some good info here

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/414871-Best-VCR-opinion#post2738885

https://gleitz-info.translate.goog/forum/index.php?thread/48526-%C3%BCbersicht-%C3%BCb..._x_tr_pto=wapp

https://forum.videohelp.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=79781&d=1717960709

[rgr]

I've copied a couple of tapes with TBC and in the vast majority of cases it causes the image to shake (sometimes or often).
Isn't this TBC overrated?
Could the DMR-EH575/585 as passthrough be the cause?

[Name]

Well, it may look like that my questions are clumsy, but the last couple of days I have been crawling the internet for information and watched dozens of YouTube videos.
I just have the feeling that there is no absolute truth to this topic. It starts with the VCR, continues with the capture device and ends with the software.
Whenever I think I got what I needed, I check a different forum, and the opposite gets recommended.

Then I read that the "JVC HR-S9500" is at the top, and yes, definitely get one. Other opinions are that they are clearly overrated, they like to eat the tapes and as they are so overhyped all the units you find on the second hand market had been already sold 10 times.

I always hear that the VCR doesn't play a role, but for that, there are a lot of different recommendations on the web.

Thanks for this list (https://gleitz.info/forum/index.php?thread/48526-%C3%BCbersicht-%C3%BCber-alle-jvc-pan...r-deutschland/), even when trying, I couldn't find it.


I guess in the end, I will get a JVC HR-S9500EK plus an I-O Data GV-USB2, and put a stop to this search.

[Sharc]

I've copied a couple of tapes with TBC and in the vast majority of cases it causes the image to shake (sometimes or often).
Isn't this TBC overrated?
Could the DMR-EH575/585 as passthrough be the cause?

Enabling TBC of the VCR plus using a DMR in passthrough may be a problem. Try disabling the TBC of the VCR and let the DMR do the "TBC", or enable TBC in the VCR and skip the DMR passthrough.

[lollo]

I've copied a couple of tapes with TBC and in the vast majority of cases it causes the image to shake (sometimes or often).
Isn't this TBC overrated?

Which TBC? The one in the VCR? Sometimes the TBCs in the VCRs introduce a vertical shift of one of the the fields (rarely both), especially when compensating for drop outs. The same may happen with a DVD Recorder in pass-through mode. But for tapes in nice conditions, we are talking about few frames affected.

edit: as Sharc properly said, enable just one TBC (VCR or DVD Recorder)

[Sharc]

I just have the feeling that there is no absolute truth to this topic. It starts with the VCR, continues with the capture device and ends with the software.
Whenever I think I got what I needed, I check a different forum, and the opposite gets recommended.

Bogileins post here said it all (bottom line: there is no universally "best"):
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/414871-Best-VCR-opinion#post2738885

I guess in the end, I will get a JVC HR-S9500EK plus an I-O Data GV-USB2, and put a stop to this search.

Good decision. You won't be wrong with it. Nothing excels your own experience (or 'learning by doing').

[lollo]

there are a lot of different recommendations on the web

You should trust sources showing facts and concrete results, rather than "blah blah blah", myths and legends, and "opinions". There are several around in the first category, much much much more in the second.

[cholla]

Please excuse me for hijacking this topic with a question.
I rarely copy a VHS to DVD so I'm not archiving.
My hardware is NTSC .
I have an Insignia NS-DRVCR DVD Recorder/VCR for the VCR it has component out.
I have a Polaroid DRM-2001G it has component in.
If I see a Macrovision problem I have a Dimax Grex.

Any opinion on this setup ?

[dellsam34]

You should start your own thread, this is not the topic discussed here.

[cholla]

You should start your own thread, this is not the topic discussed here.

Would you explain .
Why?
My guess is because what I posted is not about a PAL VCR.
Or
A capture device to a PC via USB.