Which DVD recorder with Panasonic VCR?
 

hi lordsmurf

Which DVD recorder would you recommend to use with this Panasonic VCR unit [NV-SJ200] for transferring VHS cassettes? I don't care about quality being perfect, as long as it matches the VHS quality.

Thanks

Marcus

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Welcome. :)

That's just a low-end multisystem VCR. Better low-end, but definitely low-end.

It lacks any TBC, so a Panasonic ES10/15 type is a must. Specific Panasonic recorders have a strong+crippled line TBC, non-TBC frame sync, and other issues (luma hotness, posterization, aggressive AGC, others). However, given you desires, this will be best.

Also use XP mode only (SP at worst), definitely not anything longer than 2 hours per disc.

In PAL, there are several more Panasonic models beyond ES10/15. Noting that the VHS/DVD combo and HDD/DVD combo units do have more problems than just the DVD recorder units. So it tends to be safer to stick to ES10/15, unless you just come across a low-priced local/offline deal. For online buys, ES10/15 is better, especially due to the weight (and drop damage chances!) of the combos, combined with typical pathetic packaging by online sellers.

In some ways, quality will improve. In others, decrease. It's impossible to maintain quality "as good as the tape" with low-end/cheap options.

Noting that people often confuse "tape quality" with "crappy VCR quality". Most tapes, intrinsically, look vastly better than some old rotten VCR played it.

Thanks, I always thought this VCR was top range because of its Super LP capability. I remember this being one of the most expensive VCRs in Australia at its time of release. I have a lot of vids recorded in Super LP so I am wondering if its even worth transferring these to DVD's if they are only 2 hours max for recording.

"Super LP" is mostly just marketing. Like advertising that cars have "V6 Engine". It's not the worst, but it's not going to impress anybody. It's just a not-worst/not-best car (VCR).

Record 2 hours worth, then 2 more, then 2 more. That's what NTSC users do for EP mode recordings, where we want the DVD to actually have any degree of quality.

(*Certain DVD recorders had a great 3-hour mode, but you can't use those here. Well, unless you just get ES10/15 for passthrough, then feed the signal to the LSI-based recorder. That'd be more ideal, if you're not trying to skimp on funds.)

4/6-hour DVDs tend to look dreadful**, resolution and bitrate is just punished. The DVDs output are more blocks than image.

(**Noting that some LSI can also do good at 4-hour, but only if the content is animation, clean, or static. Nothing can do 6 hours and not look like total garbage.)

All rules have exceptions. These are those.

I looked this model up. It seems Super LP was an even more economical mode than LP, recording 50% longer time per tape. Possibly unusual for Australian PAL which from memory normally only extended down to LP. So yes it's probably worth hanging on to the machine so you can play/digitize your Super LP tapes.

I believe some of the latter JVC S-VHS also play this (essentially) SLP/EP PAL mode.

But yes, in case I didn't make it clear, definitely keep that machine, no reason to dump it.