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Yes I have owned this unit - I'll share what I know. Firstly this model ran concurrently with the more well known HS1000 model so 1995-1997/8. Both use identical heads and mechanisms (K Deck) and as far as I can see the video circuitry is almost identical too. The 1000 offers extra features, namely assemble edit and time base correction. In normal play mode both look the same on screen with both having the soft to sharp slider and edit selection for raw playback. So to sum up the HS800 is fully worthy of use in the role of video transfer with the caveat that it does not have TBC. If you do as I did and run it through a Panasonic DVD recorder with internal TBC this may not be so important but if you are running directly to the video capture card then you may well miss the TBC that the HS1000 offers.
To add, I have seen both of these models with worn heads quite often which has a negative impact on the picture and hifi sound. Also both models really hate TDK Pro S-VHS tape - it clogs the heads (don't know why this is) and neither are great options for really ratty old tapes as they don't mask dropouts as well as some other decks.
I'd pay £80 for an HS800 in good condition and £130 for a HS1000 in the same state.
Hope this helps.
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