UK choices for TBC? (timebase corrector)
 

I've been trying out a few test captures of VHS before beginning my transfer project in earnest. As I'm getting variable results with dropped frames between tapes am now thinking I won't be able to get by without a TBC and going to have to buy one.
I'm using a JVC DVHS, AIW9800, 3GB memory and 3.2GHz XP dedicated PC.
My problem is that here in the UK a TBC seems tricky to get hold of, I've found both the CTB-100 and AVT-8710 online at a few not particularly well known (at least to me) suppliers and a bit concerned about buying a reasonably expensive piece of equipment after reading reports on this site about faulty units and not being certain of getting the desired results.
Does anyone have any advice on UK suppliers and if both these units are compatible with PAL VHS?

the Datavideo TBC-1000 is a great unit

The TBC-1000 also looks tricky to get hold of in the UK, also a bit on the pricey side for me. Not sure I can warrant a £350 spend for something that may not give the desired results.

B&H photo will probably ship internationally

International shipping will add to the price somewhat I suspect!
The avt-8710 I've seen for sale on UK websites have differenent colour casings, something else that's raises alarm bells with me. Should I be concerned?

The "AVT-8710" is actually a rebranded Cypress unit, the CTB-100. The Cypress units isn't available in the USA, but only as the AVToolbox import. The CTB-100 is only available on eBay here. The UK, however, has the Cypress unit in online stores. The case are available in at least 4 color schemes internationally.

Beware, however, the issue with bad chips from 2011-2012. I'm not sure if Cypress ever fixed it.

As "expensive" as it seems, the Datavideo TBC-1000 actually isn't unreasonable compared to rack-mount units. The AVT-8710 is actually quite cheap. When it worked perfectly, that was awesome. When it didn't, it was cheap crap. Buying one now, to me, is a complete gamble unless you know how to test it.

I'd suggest the TBC-1000 to anybody lacking advanced experience.

eBay also, sometimes, has the TBC-100, TBC-3000, TBC-4000, TBC-7000, etc.

i recently got a TBC-100 on ebay for only $70 shipped.
i like the idea of it being a PCI card without the distribution amp

(the TBC-1000 is just a TBC-100 card with a distribution amp in a fancy metal box)

The distro amp is nice, however. It's a VP-299 + TBC-100 = TBC-1000. We use a VP-299.
The non-PCI "box" can be convenient if your computer has no open PCI slots, which is a problem these days.
That said, we use a lot of TBC-100s here, in addition to external boxes (TBCs).

It's nice to have choices. :)

Is the testing process on the site somewhere? Is it relatively straight forward?
I'll keep an eye out for eBay Datavideo units.
By expensive I also mean do the benefits outweigh the costs. I did a capture last night that had 0 dropped frames, the previous one (different film) had thousands. Would a tbc help in this case or is the source just too poor?
For £100 its worth a try but for £400 I'm not so sure.

Yes, a TBC would help.
And when you're done, just resell it. (The marketplace forum here is free.)

I managed to get hold of a Datavideo TBC-100 and it certainly made a difference. Zero dropped frames so far with repeat captures of VHS that previously had hundreds.
If anyone else out there is wondering if they should get an external timebase corrector my advice is to stop dithering and get one, you'll see a difference!