Super VHS

[darstar007]

Simple question about S-VHS VCRs. Can you use regular VHS tapes in them?

Plus, are they noticeably better than regular VHS VCRs???

Thanks.

[57U]

What's a VCR? ;)

1. You can use regular tapes in them, but depending on the make/model, it may not record in "S" mode.

2. A regular VCR is roughly 240 lines resolution. An S-VHS VCR has up to 400 lines resolution, however, the inexpensive ones (S-VHS) often don't look much better than a regular VCR.

3. Both look pretty poor on an HDTV and people have switched to DVD recorders which have up to 480 lines of resolution in 1-2 hour modes.

[darstar007]

The thing is, I want a DVR/DVD Recorder with plenty of disk so that I can record a bunch of programs and save the ones I want to keep on DVD. Problem is there doesn't seem to be too many of these and the ones they do have are both expensive and have generally mediocre ratings.

Do you have a recommendations 57U???

[Ratman]

Have you considered an TV tuner card in your PC?

It provides the same functionality as a DVR or VCR and assuming you have a DVD burner in the PC, make a copy to DVD+/-R's.

[darstar007]

I don't have a DVD burner at this point, but will soon. How does the TV tuner card work? Cable to card and software on the PC for timer recording?

[57U]

If you don't want an HTPC, you can get a DVD Recorder with HDD. They are not that expensive and were recently reviewed in S&V (a few months back). They all seem to have different features.

Considering my last S-VHS VCR was about $600, the DVD recorders with HDD are quite inexpensive. ;)

[Ratman]

LOL... kind of strange and perhaps from Bizarro World, but I can't remember the last time I've used my VCR to watch a tape. The only reason it's till in the rack/stand is......... we depend on the clock! :)

[darstar007]

I don't know. I see S-VHS VCRs from JVC at $150. This is the closest thing I can find in the DVR/DVD burner world:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Panasonic-DVD-Recorder-DMR-EH55S/sem/rpsm/oid/155053/catOid/-12876/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

$500

[Ratman]

I really suggest you look for an alternative to S-VHS.

As for the PC suggestion:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7727258&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01041&id=1140392418231
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7907848&st=pc+tv+tuner&type=product&id=1149206843793

[57U]

If you look at some "off brands" like Emerson, I believe you can find them for about 1/2 that. Search for HDD DVD Recorders, or something similar.

You can certainly get an S-VCR, for $150, but the quality's not going to be there either.

Or you could get just a regular DVD recorder without HDD and run it at the longer times like 4-6 hours. You will then have VHS quality picture.

[darstar007]

I'm leaning against S-VHS, but I do have an extensive tape collection. Only one thing could change my mind, would a S-VCR display stuff recorded on a regular VCR better (enhanced)???

[57U]

The S-vcr will not "enhance" a regular tape. Sometimes a tape may look better on new equipment because the heads are clean, however, a regular tape is just a regular tape.