Review my setups: JVC S-VHS VCRs, TBCs, capture cards?
 

Hello, I have been digitizing and my VHS tape collection for a while now using equipment I purchased from Lordsmurf over the years. I like to periodically step back and re-evaluate my setup to make sure I am doing things the best I can, and I am at one of those points now. Would appreciate any input from Lordsmurf or experienced members.

Hardware I own:

VCRs:
- JVC HR-DVS3U (VHS/S-VHS/VHS-C — MiniDV transport broken)
- JVC SR-MV40 VHS/S-VHS

TBC / Signal Processing:
- CDM-640AR multisystem TBC/converter - currently inline in my signal chain.
- FOR-A FA-125 TBC owned but never installed.

Capture Cards:
- Pinnacle 710-USB v1 currently the only card in use
- ATI TV Wonder 600 USB on hand but not yet connected or tested

I originally purchased all of this equipment with the intention of setting up two separate capture stations, but life got in the way and I never got around to setting up the second one. So I have two of most things and only one active station.

My current setup:
I capture on Windows 7 PCs using VirtualDub. Since I got the equipment I have been running whichever JVC deck I am using with the CDM-640AR and the Pinnacle 710-USB that has been my standard chain from the beginning.

Current signal chain:
JVC HR-DVS3U (S-Video out) → CDM-640AR (S-Video in/out) → Pinnacle 710-USB (S-Video in)
Audio: JVC RCA L/R → Pinnacle RCA L/R (bypasses CDM-640AR)
VirtualDub 1.9.11 / Huffyuv V2.1.1 / 720x480 YUY2 / PCM 48kHz 16-bit stereo

What I am reconsidering:
I am debating whether I should add the FOR-A FA-125 to my signal chain and whether I should switch from the Pinnacle 710-USB to the ATI TV Wonder 600. The FA-125 has been sitting unused and I want to know if I should be using it and where it belongs in the chain. Similarly I have the ATI card on hand and am not sure if it is worth switching or if the Pinnacle is fine.

Questions:

1. VCR: Is one of these decks meaningfully better than the other for S-VHS/VHS, or are they equivalent at this tier?
2. FOR-A FA-125: Should I be using it? If yes, where does it slot in before or after the CDM-640AR?
3. CDM-640AR: If the FA-125 goes in the chain, is the CDM-640AR still worth keeping, or does the FA-125 make it redundant?
4. Capture card: Should I stick with the Pinnacle 710-USB or switch to the ATI TV Wonder 600?

I appreciate any guidance. I just want to make sure I am getting the best results from the equipment I have.

All excellent gear. :congrats:

From model info alone, I'd do:

setup#1 = SR-VS30 > Cypress CDM-640 > Pinnacle
setup#2 = MV45 > FA-125 > ATI 600 USB

#1 = best setup
VS30 = tiny % sharper
Cypress has added proc amp
Pinnacle is % better at capture

#2 isn't bad at all, this is just nitpicking. You can easily rotate any of this gear to create two solid workflows.

CDM-640 = TBC#1
FA-125 = TBC#2
Those are both frame TBCs, only one per workflow.

Assuming the gear is all still in top shape (it's been a few years), and it should be, you can easily transfer tapes in the best quality. The only limiter will be tape damage, using physical damage, not often playback/signal damage (and usually misalignment if/when found).

Thank you. One clarification - I do not own an SR-VS30. From the two decks I have (HR-DVS3U and SR-MV40), which would you put on the primary station with the CDM-640AR and Pinnacle?

he other vcr is SR-MV40 not a 45

VS30 = DVS3, no real difference
MV45 = MV40, no real difference

Condition matters most, not exact model, in this exact case.