Which JVC SVHS deck should I buy?
 

Hello all!

I have seen two JVC SVHS decks for sale nearby and I'm unsure which one to pick up. Both are roughly $25 USD.

One is a JVC HR-S5600AM from 1999
One is a JVC HR-S5900AM from 2001

They're both Hong Kong units and there isn't much info online about either of them.

I'm wanting to buy one to use for capturing PAL/NTSC tapes.

Does anyone have experience with these machines or any idea which one is superior? I've checked the manuals for them and they both seem very similar.

Thanks!

Get both, if not get the 5900, It has S-Video in, you may not need it but it could have other extra features, check the manuals online for more details. Both units lack the line TBC which is essential for capturing tapes, The only S-VHS PAL/NTSC with LTBC is the HR-S7600AM.

Thanks for your reply! Any particular reason to go for the 5900? Is it because it’s newer? Both models have SVHS in according to the manuals.

Is there any real difference in picture quality between these mid range JVC machines or are they all quiet similar?

I already have a HR-S7600AM but I fried it while trying to repair a broken SVHS output. Sadly I’m moving apartments soon and I suspect it will end up in the trash.

I don't know what is the difference besides S-Video input but you can take time and read the manuals.

I would like to have the broken S7600AM if you are trashing it, I will pay the shipping. I could salvage some parts to repair other people's VCR's.

It may be a long shot, but it's possible the terminal board form the 5600 would be compatible with the 7600, JVC did share PCBs between several models in the same lineups. You could have a look at the service manuals.

I believe the ribbon cable plug on the main board for the Drum RF is different therefore it would not work, The 7600AM has some extra heads. Even if it works what benefit he would gain from doing so since he will still be lacking the extra features the 7600AM has such as TBC.

The terminal board is the one in the back that has the input/output connectors. What I meant was that if they use the same motherboard pcb, it may be possible to put the terminal board from the 5600 into the 7600 if the one in the 7600 was broken. Anyway, read the other thread and there were more issues, and the service manual for the 5600AM actually refers to the HR-S7500EH for the non-special parts and uses the motherboard PCB layout from the x500 models, while the service manual for the 7600AM use the newer motherboard PCB layout, so it won't work for any spares.

Probably not, Those mechanisms are designed to snap into the motherboard, any extra options means more pins therefore larger or smaller connectors.