OT: VCR Recommendation - Time Scanning

Ritchie wrote on 1/21/2003, 10:54 AM

I hope there are no objections to seeking such advice in this forum, but I have come to trust the experience of the users here.

I recently read about the high end JVC VCR's with the dynamic drum that allow you to play a VHS tape at a faster speed while still hearing the sound, I think they call it Time Scanning. Unfortunately, these VCRs are fairly expensive. I am currently in school over a distance program and recieve 6 hours of class tapes each week to walk. These tend to be a little slow moving and would love to pick up a VCR with the ability to play these tapes at 1.5x or 2x speed.

Are any of you aware of other VCR manufacturesrs that offer a similar ability to speed up the play of the tape while still being able to play the sound? I wouldn't even necassarily need super high quality video, as it will only be watched once, by me.

Thanks for any advice.

JVC Models that do this (NTSC):
HR-S9600
HR-S9800
HR-S9900
HR-S9911

Comments

craftech wrote on 1/21/2003, 12:07 PM

I have an HR-S9500U which does Time Scanning. It sounds like a Halloween recording when you use it. I am not sure why you need to hear the sound for your purposes. If all you need is High Speed Picture Search, there are many VCR's which will do that. Go to Walmart with a tape and mess with them all. If you like one buy it there. They have an incredible 90 day return policy (No questions asked).

The biggest problem I see with VCR's is that the quality has gone way downhill.
Panasonic consumer decks used to give you a decent picture for the money, but they have gone down the drain in that respect as well. Nearly all VCR's tend to have inferior mechanical parts these days particularly in the transports.

The best image in a reasonably priced VCR I have seen recently is the JVC SR-V10U. I have one of those as well. It records both SVHS and VHS equally well. Neemanmedia.com has them currently for $229 + shipping. Make sure you ask about return privileges if you get a bad one. After all, it's a JVC.

John

Ritchie wrote on 1/21/2003, 12:40 PM

I want to hear the sound because I want to watch the tape at a higher speed, not just search through it. For example, watch the 3 hour lecture in 2 hours, or 1 1/2. I don't mind a "Halloween" sound, as long as it is understandable.

Does the TBC help older tapes noticably better than say the SR-V10U you mentioned?

craftech wrote on 1/21/2003, 5:49 PM

The Time Base Corrector is on the SR-V10u as well as the units you mentioned. Basically it can help with the picture jumping although it isn't absolutely necessary.

If you need the Halloween sound on the unit, you will probably have to go to the JVC 9000 series unless you can find some of the discontinued models in the 7000, 5000, and I believe a few of the older 4000 series. Check the JVC website and search 'Time Scan'