VHS component, s-video outputs composite quality?
 

I have a Panasonic DMR-EZ47Z DVD/VHS combo player/ recorder that will output VHS tapes via s-video and component, but to my eyes the quality looks identical to composite. It's hard to test b/c the best tapes I have (old Blockbuster rental VHS tapes) are still not going to in s-video quality. The only output that looks different is the HDMI, which is less saturated and likely closer to the intended color, but I've read here not to use HDMI from these units.

So, I know we should be outputting via s-video for color reasons, but I'm wondering if this unit actually does this separation I've read the importance of here or if it's essentially sending composite video with a fancy wrapper that does nothing.

Thanks for any help!

HDMI is okay for this DVD recorder, the question is, what HDMI ingest card are you going to use? that choice will make or break the end result.

This is because almost all combo units internally composite the video, prior to any output. So everything will appear the same, even the HDMI (when HDMI out actually exists from the VHS side, not just the DVD side).

This is a reason (of many) why these units are terrible for converting videotapes, or even using as a middleman passthrough device.

I wasn't planning on capturing the video via HDMI as I thought that was sort of no fly zone rule of thumb for this kind of thing. But, I did a few tests w an "HDML Cloner" which from Amazon in 2017 for around $100 and records to USB thumb drives in MPEG-4 4:2:0 YUV. The only thing I've gathered so far doing this is the video is a little sharper and less saturated (again, probably more normal) when the VCR's HDMI output is set to upres to 1080(p or i) rather than set to 480i.

I have an AJA Kona LHe and was planning on recording w that from a true S-video feed.

Thank you for this and it's exactly what I thought was happening. I appreciate the confirmation!

Will have to find a better VHS player. Either an S-VHS or D-VHS, but hopefully w a line TBC included.