S-VHS to DVD____VCR's panasonic NV-FS200B and others??

Hi I'm still looking to upgrade the play back VCR for DVD convertion. (VHS some S-VHS)
***Panasonic***
After reading this forum and more, I've picked up on the panasonic AG-1980 having a full frame TBC. I've seen some posted results and there good so can some one tell me if panasonic made anything similar for the UK market - PAL and not 110v power.

The NV-FS200B looks the same as the AG-1980 but is the TBC a full frame?
Also more recent models like the NV-HS960 have TBC but how good??

***JVC***
Also considering the HR-7500 which i believe has TBC but only 2mb frame buffer as opposed to the 4mb buffer on the 9000 models. How does this reduction in memory effect there use, has anyone had both and compared the two as the 9000 go for more and I don't see many for sale.

Cheers for any help offered

thanks davideck,
So no significant difference between the 9000 and 7000 then (digipure parts wise)
Though I can't seem to find the HR 7500 manual online, I prosume that its basically the same as the 7600 other than trivial changes.

I've scanned through the link, and will need to reread later. Unfortunately the picture examples are not available but there is another post showing AG-1980 v's a JVC-9???, don't have to hand.
Anyway still not clear if there is a UK version of the AG-1980 I've emailed panasonic to ask, not expecting to get much from them. I saw an AG-1980 just go for £20 on ebayUK ($40!) sorry but no real use to me.
I could be looking at £100 for a panasonic NV-FS200B (possible UK version of 1980) but say £40 for a JVC HR-7500. Should I stick to JVC and spend the rest on a extra 'TBC-1000'?
My issue with JVC's is that they don't look quite as clean a picture but impossible to really know without testing first!
Anyone any thoughts?

If your source is SVHS, then you most likely can use a low cost DVD recorder without TBC. I did, and the result is as stable and as good as SVHS.

Thanks daviddeck, didn't know the 7500EK had no TBC, very important fact, phew that was close! I'll save the link and have a look, couldn't find that one.

I've got a Philips 3305 (anyone want to buy it!) and a sony GX300. I use the Sony it's fine for 1-2hrs so I'll stick to that for now (best if you turn up the input brightness a bit I think as records a bit darker) The sony has a TBC apparently but only very basic.

As for SVHS I've only a few and 95% as VHS, but SVHS recorders always seem to have the extra functions.

*** Still no one with any info on the Panasonic NV-FS200B ***
panasonic haven't got back to me, even they don't know!

Well it looks like the FS200B and HS-1000B are the UK models that equate to the US AG-1980. It looks like they both have full frame TBC. But as they all go for too much on ebay (hard to find else where alas) I've gone for a HS-860B which is a 2000-1 model. Both the other two must be over 10yrs old now so I've taken that into account.

This model does have 3DNR and TBC (can't find out if its full/half?) I like the fact that these functions are independant which is not the case with JVC's. This gives you the option to use the TBC and not the 3DNR. I've read from some posts on this site that even top JVC's can produce softer images, and prosume this could be due to the 3DNR.

Anyway I will report (if anyone cares!) on the copy quality when it comes. Unfortunately I could have bought a JVC S9500 for about the same price. I left it as they seem to be popular and costly hope I don't regret it, I know members like lordsmurf would generally advise JVC but I'll soon see!

Originally Posted by StuR

...I've gone for a HS-860B which is a 2000-1 model. Both the other two must be over 10yrs old now so I've taken that into account.

This model does have 3DNR and TBC (can't find out if its full/half?)...

Anyway I will report (if anyone cares!) on the copy quality when it comes...

Hi StuR

I care! I'm waiting with bated breath

Seriously, I would be very interested in your findings. My own needs aren't for the topmost quality (or not at any price, anyway) and the HS-860B might be adequate for me - unless there are any no-no's. Have you managed to find out whether the 860B's TBC is full-frame or half-frame, or even only a line TBC (which would seem out of character for a Panny)?

Can some post some pictures with 3d filter on video recorders to see quality does its worth or no?

Sorry Kosketus, should have got back about this. Quick answer is I've found the HS860 a good buy, the soft/sharp adjust is handy but don't use. The 3DNR work fine best described as working without really being noticable. It's clearest on say a large expanse of sky, which is a flat colour but has a slight variation in colurs. With VHS you can see the 'noise' a grainy look. With 3DNR on this smooths off fine. Soft picture setting wound do the same but 3DNR is more selective. Used together they are too much. If you convert to HQ DVD 2hr/500lines then this smoothing happens anyway to a large sky, so you may like to do without the 3DNR. I use it about 50% now. Importantly - unlike the consumer JVC's- the HR860 has a seperate button for the 3DNR and the TBC. The TBC can stay on and you just flick the 3DNR on and off to decide.
My DVDR sony GX300's 'noise reduction' is poor I don't like and don't use. It seems to use the prevoius frames pixel to sort of smear between the frames which at the highest settings is too noticable. The HR860 is a better NR.
And briefly the TBC. It works fine horizontally stopping side to side jitter that is usually obvoius if graphics are record like sports score boards. You can see the slight wobble around the borders. But it doesn't stop up and down rolls which can happen. It can't be a full frame TBC and panasonic have never got back to me.
Its better than nothing and I'm sure as good as the JVC's so it's another option. The HR960 has better editing features (no point if its only for a source VCR) and a jog dial which is handy as my sony (with jog) is much better at slow frame movements.
Hope that helps.

lordsmurf, better is always relative, its better for me cos' I've got one so is much more useful than a JVC I don't ! (mind you I do have JVC HR-S5595 which I hate, muddy colour, stabilizer? does nothing, cofusing BEST system which is best left off, but it isn't in the league of the 7000 and 9000's and cost £1)
Main thing I like is the seperate TBC and NR buttons on the Panasonic, hard to compare with JVC really but well worth considering for upto £70 second hand I think.
There is a comparison on this reveiw, notice the JVC wins on better edit features, I don't think anyone bothers recording onto tape if they can help it now though.

http://www.rickmaybury.com/Altarcs/homent/he00/gtbudnics2.htm

These are good reviews for anyone looking

The HS860B (notice - 1ns for jitter in VHS test with TBC, thats pretty good)
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/wvreviews/VCRs/Panasonic/PanasonicNV-HS860B.php
Slightly better HS960B
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/wvreviews/VCRs/Panasonic/PanasonicNV-HS960B.php

JVC's
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/wvreviews/VCRs/JVC/JVCHR-S9700EK.php
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/wvreviews/VCRs/JVC/JVCHR-S8850EK.php
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/VCRs/JVC/JVCHR-S8850EK.php
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/wvreviews/VCRs/JVC/JVCHR-S8700EK.php

or search for more -
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/

Hope that helps if your looking for a VCR that's not too old and expensive with a TBC like I was.