Hi Guys.

I am looking for a quaility VCR or SVCR for my editing.
I shoot with a vx200 and am editing on a Casablanca Prestige.
Any suggestions on which brand and model would be appriciated!

How much are you willing to spend? Will you be using the deck to make dubs? via standard VHS or S-VHS?

You might want to look into the JVC "combo" miniDV/ SVHS deck, which allows you to make extremely clean dubs to S-VHS off the heads from the miniDV deck section. I haven't bought one of these yet, but am considering it. Right now I have a higher end Mitsubishi S-VHS deck, cost me about $800 and it makes very nice recordings. The first thing it does when you insert a tape is that it aligns itself to the tape, maximizing its' recording capability.

If anyone is using a combo unit such as the one mentioned above, I would love to hear your input.

- don

Hi Don,

Thanks for your imput.

I am recording my dv footage into the Prestige editor and then
taking the footage from the hard drive into the vcr.
So I guess I'm looking for the best quality picture. I don't know
if I need a svcr though.
Also the Prestige has a built in dvd recorder to burn dvds.

Do you know a good place to buys these vcrs?

In you haven't already, you can read my review of the JVC DVS2 MiniDV/SVHS deck (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1777). It's a fairly good deck, roughly $1000.

I have always heard that toshiba make some of the best vhs decks.

Zac

If you are serious about reliable recording, look at the industrial decks from Sony (or anyone else). They have much better transports and seem to do everything just a little bit better. Expect to pay around $500 for a Stereo HiFi VHS deck.

Or if you want a great S-VHS deck, take a look at the Sony SLV-R2100 at around $1200.

I have a pair of SLV-R1000's that a great but no longer made (even though you can still buy new ones)

Thank you all for your advice!

Mike, where is the best place to get the svhs?
And can you record tapes in just vhs for people who
do not have a svhs deck?

Thanks again.

Also, don't foget to look at hospital grade vcrs as well. I have seen them around for $150 used and they are fantastic and really robust.

zac

I use 6-JVC Consumer grade SVHS VCRs for duplication purposes. I only record in standard VHS but find that by using SVHS decks, the recording quality is better. Each deck was purchased for approx $130.

From my computer, my signal passes through a Panasonic AG-DV1000 Mini DV recorder and then is distributed to an Ocean Matrox 1x10 SVHS Distribution Amp. I previously used a JVC SR-VS10 combo mini dv & svhs deck but had terrible experience with my unit (severe dv pixelation).

RECOMMENDATION: Purchase the same brand of vcrs for all your duplication decks...by doing this, 1 remote will control all vcrs at the same time!

I would second the Sony SLV-R1000 if you can find one. I have had mine for 8 or 9 years and it has given great service. The only thing I have never liked about it is the jog shuttle.

The SLV-R2000 is the direct replacement for it. The 2100, though, is the same electronics with a much more rugged deck construction for around $200 more.

Yea, the deck control is real slow. I find it an agony to do an EDL with the deck.
That's one of the things that come with the pro decks. Darned near real-time response to the shuttle.

Thanks Steve, I will take your advice!