JVC S-VHS not in buying guide?
 

Is the only difference between the recommended JVC S-VHS units in the buying guide and non-recommended units such as the HR-3900U or HR-5900U simply the lack of TBC in the 3900/5900/etc? If a non-recommended JVC is paired with a DMR-ES10, is it effectively as good as the 7000/9000 series JVC recommended units with built-in TBC?

The reason I ask is I've seen some really incredible results from the DMR-ES10, even when paired with run-of-the-mill VCRs.

If the S-Video signal output when playing back old VHS tapes for capture purposes is better in the 7000/9000 series vs. the 3900/5900/etc/alongside DMR-ES10, then I'd like to know why that is.

Thanks!

No.

The JVC line TBC is very transparent to the source. The ES10/15 all degrade the signal some. The ES10/15 type Panasonics are only recommended for when net gains are made, such as removing tearing (which the JVC line TBCs are not great at, and sometimes cause on nth gen tapes). The line TBC in the Es10/15 is different, not better. It's stronger+crippled, meaning it will face issues that the JVC never will. Situations where ES10/15 harms is more common than situations where JVC harms.

When you actually watch footage, at a normal size, you'll see issues. Not a tiny preview window on the computer, not a cell/mobile phone, not a processed Youtube version (and also viewed tiny). The issues are still there tiny, but you can miss almost anything when overly small.

You have a budget option, 2nd option

In order of quality:

(1) TBC model JVC/Panasonic = best

(2) non-TBC model JVC/Panasonic + ES10/15 = quality is degraded, but can be an acceptable solution if mony matters more than quality -- for PERSONAL USE ONLY ("businesses" using low-end gear should generally be smacked upside the head, with few exceptions)

(3) non-JVC generic consumer VCR + ES10/15 = better than nothing

(4) generic consumer VCR + no TBC = cheapskate, zero care about quality (or others that have to view it), which I've always found somewhat pitiful. If you are the ONLY one to ever view this stuff, do what you want. But don't subject others to your miserly BS.

That makes sense, thanks for the reply. I guess the answer, as with just about anything in life, is "it depends" :-)