Do tapes recorded on SVHS decks look better on non SVHS decks when played back?

[Hulk]

I am considering buying a SVHS VCR so that I can record my projects via S-Video out of my camera. The newer decks have some sort of "ET" mode that allows them to record on normal VHS tapes.

Since my primary means of distrubution is still VHS, I was wondering if tapes that are recorded using SVHS decks will look better when played back on normal VHS VCR's than those recorded on normal VHS VCR's?

Thanks for any insight/experience.

Mark

[Peter B]

I can't claim any experience but I did ask at a retailer about these new type of s-vhs mode VCRs and was told their tapes do not play back on VHS decks.

They are designed to record the higher quality digital pictures you get from digital broadcasts with a higher resolution on to VHS tape. Similar to the 400 line quality you get from s-vhs but they are incompatable with standard VHS vcrs and I'm not sure whether they will playback in standard s-vhs players either. Given that s-vhs vcrs are expecting a different tape probabaly not

I am not sure if they can record in standard VHS mode as well. I was put off by the non playback in standard VHS vcrs and stopped asking questions. But I would research it first before buying if you plan to record for VHS decks. Note retail staff are not alwasy the best informed about technical information so my commenst should be viewed with caution.

I beleive if you use s-video inputs into a standard VHS deck you will get a better quality recording than if you use composite inputs. That might be all your wanting, a VHS vcr with s-video in.

Good luck

[VJ]

Generally, SVHS requires a different tape; although Philips now has a recorder that can record SVHS on a standard VHS tape, but I don't know if these tapes can be played back on "older" SVHS. I doubt an SVHS can record into a standard VHS format (it can play back a standard VHS, that is certain).

Normally, SVHS tapes cannot be played on VHS decks, but some regular VHS decks do allow this (my Philips 820 does not, and is the top Philips VCR here in Belgium). If the features is present, it will be clearly marked on the VCR .

I seriously doubt you will find a VHS with an S-video; as there is no real gain. The only reason to put an S-video on a VHS is to allow more flexible connectivity... The signal on the scart-connector might contain the S-video, but beter inform about this first.

Jörg

[Dr Mordrid]

I can speak to this.

IF you record a standard VHS format on an SVHS deck it generally WILL look better than if recorded on a good VHS deck given a high quality source and tape. The reason is simple: higher quality components and circuitry. This is especially the case if the SVHS deck involved has a built-in TBC (time base corrector) and frame buffer. Most mid-level and higher ones do.

Another advantage to SVHS decks when recording VHS is that they can take an S-Video input. These alone ups the quality of the recorded signal by providing a cleaner source. Most video editing cards worth using offer S-Video I/O, so you can go both ways to the SVHS deck.

Of course this also depends on you not using department store special VHS tapes for recording. Those are generally poor in quality. I always use broadcast quality (BQ) VHS tapes, which you can buy in bulk on the internet for not too much of a premium. Maxell's TI120BQ Pro tapes work well, but so do most other name brands like Fuji and Sony.

As far as what deck to buy, I've been using JVC SVHS decks for quite a while and highly recommend them. The mid-level and up models let you record VHS format to VHS tapes.

Some may suggest Digital VHS as an option, but that format is far from viable at this point and still too expensive for both the decks and media. Its higher quality recording is tempting, but its digital formatted tapes are also not exactly portable given the low market penetration. Wait for the dust to clear on this one.

Dr. Mordrid

[Hulk]

That's what I needed to know.

I've done some research. The JVC HR S7900U is the lowest JVC model with the TBC and frame buffer features. I'm going to make the investment.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Mark

[Dr Mordrid]

I had that model in mind, but wanted you to have some fun looking

At any rate, now that you've decided to make the plunge take another piece of hard won advice:

follow a regimen of regular shop visits for cleaning and alignment.

It's a precision piece of kit that needs tuneups to say in peak condition, not a $100 Walmart special.

Do this and it'll last a long time and give good service and results.

Dr. Mordrid

[Graham Meredith]

Doc,
I'm just about to buy a JVC HR-S5700. So then, in your experience with these SHVS/VHS compatible JVC models, is it possible to record on it, then give the tape to someone with a normal VHS player, and it will play back OK?

Graham

[Patrick]

If I can jump in with my two cents worth...

If you record a SVHS signal on a VHS tape with one of these JVC SVHS decks, you will not be able to play that tape on any regular VHS or SVHS deck.

However...

If you record a VHS signal on a VHS tape with one of these JVC SVHS decks, you will be able to play that tape on any regular VHS or SVHS deck.

Furthermore....

If you record a VHS signal on a VHS tape with any SVHS deck, you will be able to play that tape on any regular VHS or SVHS deck.

Anyone in disagreement?

(edit)

Hang on, there's more...

If you record a SVHS signal on a SVHS tape with any SVHS deck, you will not be able to play that tape on any regular VHS deck.

But...

If you record a SVHS signal on a SVHS tape with any SVHS deck, you will be able to play that tape on a regular VHS deck which has Quasi-SVHS playback capabilities. The catch is that you'll only see VHS quality from the SVHS tape.

Is everything clear now?

[Graham Meredith]

That's what I was thinking was the case, reading the blurb about it, on the JVC website:

http://www.jvc-australia.com/product_frame.asp

-seems good news! I want to archive important footage on good quality SVHS tapes, but I still want to do everyday stuff on it on normal VHS in VHS mode, and lend it to friends who have normal VHS consumer decks.

Graham

[Hulk]

Graham -

You might want to consider the 7800 or 7900 model. They have the TBC and frame buffer feature Doc mentioned.

Mark

[TnT]

Re: If I can jump in with my two cents worth...

Originally posted by Patrick
If you record a SVHS signal on a VHS tape with one of these JVC SVHS decks, you will not be able to play that tape on any regular VHS or SVHS deck.

However...

If you record a VHS signal on a VHS tape with one of these JVC SVHS decks, you will be able to play that tape on any regular VHS or SVHS deck.

Furthermore....

If you record a VHS signal on a VHS tape with any SVHS deck, you will be able to play that tape on any regular VHS or SVHS deck.

Anyone in disagreement?

(edit)

Hang on, there's more...

If you record a SVHS signal on a SVHS tape with any SVHS deck, you will not be able to play that tape on any regular VHS deck.

But...

If you record a SVHS signal on a SVHS tape with any SVHS deck, you will be able to play that tape on a regular VHS deck which has Quasi-SVHS playback capabilities. The catch is that you'll only see VHS quality from the SVHS tape.

Is everything clear now?

lol, that is exactly what I'm doing in Discrete Math right now: Predicate Calculus, Quantifiers, and Logical Relationships.

[Dr Mordrid]

hehee...and if you have an Elite Video BVP-4+ you get great results with about any signal you push through it

Dr. Mordrid

[Graham Meredith]

Hulk,

Yeah, I saw them, and drooled, but they were out of my price range

Graham

[Hulk]

BestPriceAudioVideo.com has them for $239.

They are out of stock now but will probably be back in a week or two.

I've ordered from them before and they are on the level.

Mark
PS The other option is 800.com
MSN Passport rebate of $60 on $300 order.
$50 gift certificate from 800.com for orders over $299
$263 for 7800 (last years model), add some stuff to get to $300 and then get $110 back.

[Bond]

Hulk and others.

Earlier this year i bought a JVC HR-S7700 SVHS VCR. This model also has TBC, 2MB frame buffer etc, but differs from the more expensive 7800 and 7900 models in the editing features. It still has all the basic editing stuff.
I believe all these three models are being discontinued because I got my with a 40% discount. Unfortunately I´m not that uppdated on the new models, but do know that the successor to the HR-S7700 does NOT have TBC. The retail price is still the same though ...

Thank you
/ Bond, Stockholm, Sweden