I have heard that the VCR in the GL2 is delicate and can wear out after much use. I was wondering if capturing the video onto the computer will have any effect on the video quality. The camera that I would use is a little $500 sony camera that I bought a couple of years ago. Thanks

I've been using a GL2 as a deck for about 5 years now with no real issues. For what it's worth.

I bought a JVC GR-D347U (for about $200 new) to use for capture. It works very well. I have had just a very few issues with dropped frames, but now as I think of it, not in quite some time.

Not only does this keep the wear down on my GL-2s, I can leave it permanently attached to my computer. This configuration works very well for me.

Many users to use a cheap camcorder as a playback/capture unit to save wear on the main camcorder, and the cheap unit can weork as a backup or works as a B-camera in a pinch.

For most hobby types this is not necessary, but the spare camcorder is essential for people shooting events and other serious work.

I use a zr 800 as a deck.

I also use it to strip a used tape before reusing them before shooting with them. Doing this I have not had a problem with a reused tape.
Must add I always use a new tape on any paying job!!

Wear is wear, i do not use my shooters for the computer work.

But does capturing with the lower quality camera have an effect on the video quality?

Travis,
In a word - no. The capturing is merely a transfer of digital 1's and 0's. What your camera records to tape is where the quality of the GL2 in important. Once it is on tape, it is there.

But does capturing with the lower quality camera have an effect on the video quality?

Not if you do a firewire capture. It might if you try to capture from an analog playback stream, which is not likely for most users.

The only other possible issue is if the playback camcorder is having difficulty reading the tape, and that is not a common issue for tapes recorded at SP speed and if the heads are clean. But this would not be a reduced video quality issue so much as a no video or breaks in video issue.

I use a Sony DCR-HC20 and a Canon ZR-60 to rewind and capture to PC. Works perfect each time. I never use the GL-2 for anything other than record. I got the Sony for $80 used on ebay.