Buy a TBC VCR if using regular VCR with AVT-8710 TBC?
 

I am currently deciding between two setups for converting my VHS tapes to digital format. The first one is to buy a JVC HR-S7600U VCR with built-in TBC and other features. I will then send the signal to my Sony Digital8 camcorder as a way of digitizing the analog signal.

The second option is to use a regular old cheap VHS and then use the AVT-8710 TBC box to time base correct the signal. Does anyone have any experience or idea which of the two is a better method? Many thanks!!

You should use both an internal and external TBC. In a nutshell, the VCR's TBC cleans up the picture (removing chroma artifacts, etc), while the external TBC cleans up / stabilizes the actual signal being sent to your capture card to yield a more stable capture with fewer / no dropped frames.

@Towncivilian: Good advice. :congrats:

To repeat what he said, use both.

- The internal VCR TBC "cleans the image".
- The external TBC "cleans the signal".

They have two different functions.
There's at least a half dozen types of TBCs. These are the only two you need, in most cases.

A related question: I have read that some members use a couple specific models of a Panasonic DVD recorder as a passthrough TBC to solve tearing issues. I also read that the recorder is not transparent (it introduces posterization artifacts), but that is still "less worse" than tearing.
If such a device were to be used, where would it be in the chain? Would this be in the chain only in the case of significant tearing issues, or would it always be active?

Only use it when needed -- when tearing is present. Correct. :congrats:

Great, thanks for your prompt reply! And it would go last in the chain - i.e. VCR -> TBC -> DVD recorder -> capture card?

VCR (TBC off)
> ES10 passthrough DVD recorder
> external TBC
> optional proc amp, detailer, etc
> capture card

That's the proper workflow here. The TBCs could negate one another if stacked wrong.

That clears everything up (no pun intended), thank you!