Adapting Video8/Hi8 workflow to capture VHS?
 

I currently have the following workflow for capturing Video8/Hi8 tapes:

TBC camcorder --S-Video--> Panasonic ES15 --S-Video--> green AVT-8710 --S-Video--> Pinnacle 710-USB --USB--> Windows XP/VirtualDub 1.9.11

Now I would like to capture VHS as well. What should I change? Which VCRs or other devices should I look out for?

Just replace the camcorder with a VCR, that's it.

That workflow is very lossy, I don't see why you have to use the ES15 since you have the line TBC and the frame TBC?

IIRC he needed to add the ES15 because he was getting weird artifacts when using the camcorder's line TBC + AVT-8710. He found that disabling the camcorder's line TBC resolved it, so he picked up an ES15 for line TBC duty.

But latreche34 makes a good point. Since you're changing your source to an S-VHS deck (assuming you get one with a built-in line TBC) you should first try eliminating the ES15 and go directly from the VCR to the AVT-8710. Only add the ES15 back in if the same issue appears, or if you aren't using a VCR with a built-in line TBC.

If top-tearing happens the ES-10(15) must remain in the workflow for that particular tape.
So sayeth the elders.

I have captured lots of Hi8 tapes. All SP camcorder masters. Some have tearing/flagging, but not all. I only use the ES10 when necessary (while viewing a few minutes of footage to set light/dark levels I watch for tearing). Otherwise, I skip it and just use the camcorder line TBC. Use the exact same method for VHS.