Taping on the JVC and Panny DST51

[drjohnc]

A few days ago, I purchased 20 brand new SVHS 160 tapes for $1.50 apiece. I drilled a hole opposite the SVHS indicator hole on the end of the tape (this is what DVHS tapes have ... VHS tapes have no holes).

Tonight I connected up the Panny DST51 to the JVC DVHS via a firewire (I've recorded a lot of DVHS content, and even some on SVHS tapes, but not with two holes drilled).

A perfect HD copy of JAG ... one hour of DVHS with no dropouts or other symptoms.

I thoroughly recommend this machine for you folks who have Panny 50's or 51's or are purchasing the new firewire OTA sets coming on the market.

Too bad the Sopranos aren't OTA.

[57U]

If I read you correctly you're saying that you can record HD material onto SVHS tapes, with the correct "holes".

When S-VHS first came out, people used to do the same to regular VHS tapes so they could be used. Now JVC just has a "ET" switch which does the same thing so you can use standard tapes on an "S" machine.

Let us know how those "S" Tapes perform on the "D" machine in future...

I know the quality of the "S" tapes is superior to standard tapes, especially for numerous recordings (timeshifting on the same tape often). They are much more durable and weigh much more.

The thing about Digital is, you'll be able to tell if the tape is not working since "on-off" is a lot different from "a little snowy".

The new SA8000 STBs coming out soon for "cable customers" are supposed to have firewire outputs, I'm just sorry my SA3100HD doesn't...:(

[drjohnc]

Yep! You sure can.

According to some other learned folks, DVHS recording onto SVHS most likely will suffer a much more rapid deteoriation than will DVHS tape (quality control), although the tape is essentially the same (the better quality tape is used for DVHS).

But still, for recording shows of say, JAG and some of the James Bond movies on ABC, SVHS works perfectly.

[jdillard]

Can you send a picture of the location of the hole you mentioned? I have 3,409 SVHS tapes, and that information would be a godsend.
Thanks,
-Jim Dillard

[drjohnc]

I'll scan a tape in and send a picture.

It's real easy to find. Turn over the SVHS tape, you'll see a small hole drilled halfway into the plastic casing on one side. Directly across from this hole, across the casing, is a small indentation similar to the hole, except it is not drilled. (VHS tapes have no holes; SVHS tapes have one hole; DVHS tapes have two holes).
This is where the second hole is drilled. If you have some sort of precision drill, you can set the depth to the same as the factory-drilled hole, and can then drill without getting any shavings inside the case.

[Ohm-Bob]

I know it's a month later and this info may be old by now, but I thought that it's probably worth mentioning. On the JVC 30000 you *can* record digital on S-VHS tapes *without* drilling any holes. Simply push the D VHS button on the front panel after loading the tape before recording.

The disadvantage to this method is that you have to A.) remember to push the button before recording, and B) record a few extra seconds ahead so that the VCR can "track" the digital signal upon playback.

I hope this helps anyone thinking about drilling, but not wanting to.

-Ohm-Bob

[57U]

Although this is possible, the same way it is possible now to record S-VHS on standard "high grade" VHS tapes, even the highest quality "standard" or S-VHS tape, does not make the "leap" to the next level very well.

In either case by using an inferior tape, you are not getting the full quality possible from the system. Since the cost is not a great deal more, I'd recommend purchasing the appropriate tape for the job. You've probably invested thousands of $ in your equipment, don't scrimp on a couple of $.

Some people are "pickier" than others so, S-VHS may be OK for some applications...