Looking for a good VCR

Shane Jensen wrote on 3/10/2006, 12:45 PM
Since I'm having too many troubles on the VCR I have had I'm now looking to get something new and better. I'm looking for a commercial grade VCR that is ideal to playback my old VHS tapes to digitize into my computer for DVD authoring. I heard JVC is the way to go, but someone on another forum on videohelp.com suggested the Panasonic AG-1980 which looks like a sweet VCR. TBC, S-Video out, all that good stuff.

Anyone have any better suggestions of is this Panasonic the way to go? I'm thinking of starting a little service to convert people's old home movies so I would need something reliable.

Comments

farss wrote on 3/10/2006, 1:58 PM
I've been using a JVC S-VHS without problems but yes I think the Panny decks are better. The ABC down here fitted their OB vans with half a rack full of JVC decks and have had a few die, then again OB vans are the place where things get stressed.
There's so little choice left with VHS decks now you're more or less forced to buy whatever you can get.
Bob.
BrianStanding wrote on 3/10/2006, 2:35 PM
Why not look at a VCR/DVD recorder combo? My Samsung DVDVR320 does firewire VCR dubs (unfortunately only in to VHS, not out) and DVD dubs. It does do S-Video out and is at least as good quality as my JVC S-Video decks.
Coursedesign wrote on 3/10/2006, 5:10 PM
The Panny AG decks are very high quality, my AG-1830 lasted 18 years with regular use (with professional maintenance). Perhaps more importantly today, it also put out a better picture than other VCRs playing the same tape.

The TBC is a necessity with old tapes, ditto for manually adjustable tracking (which the Panny AG's have), and good playback heads make a big difference.

There are some models with recording heads that have a gap that is three times as large, those record a better signal but won't give you better playback.

craftech wrote on 3/10/2006, 7:55 PM
I have a rack of ten Panasonic VCR's and all have lasted to this day. Not any more. The stats are abysmal on VCR reliability. Take a look here at this hierarchy of VCR's on the Amazon.com website sorted bt Customer Satisfaction. Virtually all five star rated units are discontinued. I guess if you go through each page you can find the closest to decent one, but no five star ones.
Here is a list of so-called professional VTR's from a reliable vendor. Take a look at them.

John