Need a new VCR at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · July 25th, 2003, 09:14 AM

Anybody have any tips? I never thought I’d have to invest another nickel in this dying technology, but people still want tapes more than any other format. Any suggestions on what to look for? I need a consumer machine that will make the best possible recordings.

Jeff Donald · July 25th, 2003, 10:36 AM

Consumer deck and good recording are almost mutually exclusive. You might try looking for an S-VHS deck. They sometimes have wider head tracks and are more optimized for SP recording. Sometimes they have larger diameter drum assemblies, also.

Marco Leavitt · July 25th, 2003, 10:53 AM

Would S-VHS be able to record on regular cassettes? I thought that was an entirely different format. I need to record tapes for people to play on their home machines.

Jeff Donald · July 25th, 2003, 11:07 AM

There is a small hole in the bottom of S-VHS tapes that allows the tape deck to automatically determine whether to record in S-VHS or not. If no hole, the deck defaults to VHS. Some Pro decks have a switch to enable S-VHS recording.

Use VHS tapes in the S-VHS deck and you'll have no problems.

Jacques Mersereau · July 25th, 2003, 12:51 PM

JVC manufactures cheap SVHS decks that make good dupes imo.

Aaron Rosen · July 26th, 2003, 08:28 AM

How much for the JVC?

Also, are there any Fire Wire Controlled?

Jacques Mersereau · July 26th, 2003, 09:03 AM

They have several models depending on your needs. The two I
purchased several years ago, HR-S4500U were under $300.
I don't know what the current model numbers are.
Keep in mind, no bells or whistles . . . no audio adjust, no meters, etc.

They are not firewire controlled. For that, you have to get one of their
duel decks. They are miniDV on one side and SVHS on the other.
WARNING: There were a few issues with the duel decks, so before you
jump in that direction, take some time to surf around and make sure
they will cover your and your system's requirements.

Too bad the new JVC HD/VHS/D-VHS firewire decks cannot be
controlled "reliably" from a computer, nor will they output NTSC
via firewire. I think had (or if) JVC solves that at the $500 price point,
they'll sell a BUNCH.

John Threat · July 26th, 2003, 09:19 AM

I just picked up the JVC one that has s-video out and s-video in .. the hr-s3911U

Marco Leavitt · July 26th, 2003, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the tips. Just what I was looking for.

July 25th, 2003, 09:14 AM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Need a new VCR Anybody have any tips? I never thought I’d have to invest another nickel in this dying technology, but people still want tapes more than any other format. Any suggestions on what to look for? I need a consumer machine that will make the best possible recordings.

July 25th, 2003, 10:36 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Consumer deck and good recording are almost mutually exclusive. You might try looking for an S-VHS deck. They sometimes have wider head tracks and are more optimized for SP recording. Sometimes they have larger diameter drum assemblies, also. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 25th, 2003, 11:07 AM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	There is a small hole in the bottom of S-VHS tapes that allows the tape deck to automatically determine whether to record in S-VHS or not. If no hole, the deck defaults to VHS. Some Pro decks have a switch to enable S-VHS recording. Use VHS tapes in the S-VHS deck and you'll have no problems. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 25th, 2003, 12:51 PM	#5
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	JVC manufactures cheap SVHS decks that make good dupes imo. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 26th, 2003, 09:03 AM	#7
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	They have several models depending on your needs. The two I purchased several years ago, HR-S4500U were under $300. I don't know what the current model numbers are. Keep in mind, no bells or whistles . . . no audio adjust, no meters, etc. They are not firewire controlled. For that, you have to get one of their duel decks. They are miniDV on one side and SVHS on the other. WARNING: There were a few issues with the duel decks, so before you jump in that direction, take some time to surf around and make sure they will cover your and your system's requirements. Too bad the new JVC HD/VHS/D-VHS firewire decks cannot be controlled "reliably" from a computer, nor will they output NTSC via firewire. I think had (or if) JVC solves that at the $500 price point, they'll sell a BUNCH. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 25th, 2003, 10:53 AM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Would S-VHS be able to record on regular cassettes? I thought that was an entirely different format. I need to record tapes for people to play on their home machines.

July 26th, 2003, 08:28 AM	#6
Aaron Rosen Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: HB, CA - USA Posts: 298	How much for the JVC? Also, are there any Fire Wire Controlled?

July 26th, 2003, 09:19 AM	#8
John Threat Major Player Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York Posts: 322	I just picked up the JVC one that has s-video out and s-video in .. the hr-s3911U

July 26th, 2003, 11:55 AM	#9
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Thanks for the tips. Just what I was looking for.