I'm going to buy a new VCR because my very old one died just before Xmas (a video got stuck in there ), and since then, the TV picture is a tiny bit worse on ITV/C4 (still good though).
Any ideas on what I should get? Do most/all VCRs have Ariel Int/Out connections (the connecting lead goes from an external booster ariel in my room into the back of the VCR at the moment). I guess I need connections like that.
Also I want NTSC playback, VideoPlus etc and Short/Long play (for some reason since I retuned the "video" channels on my old VCR yonks ago it wont *do* VideoPlus anymore).
[quote][i]Originally posted by grim_tales[/i]
Any ideas on what I should get?[/quote]
A very cheap one which is Nicam stereo of course.
[quote][i]Originally posted by grim_tales[/i]Do most/all VCRs have Ariel Int/Out connections[/quote]
LOL they aren't much use without them (well the input socket anyway). You do crack me up Grim.
[quote][i]Originally posted by grim_tales[/i]
Also I want NTSC playback, VideoPlus etc and Short/Long play (for some reason since I retuned the "video" channels on my old VCR yonks ago it wont *do* VideoPlus anymore). [/quote]
I'd imagine all VCR's have this now a days, videoplus and LP support anyway.
Personally I'd not spend more than about £40. VCRs are a dieing format.
Have you thought about a DVD Writer and/or HD unit instead?
[quote][i]Originally posted by bradavon[/i]
have you thought about a DVD Writer and/or HD unit instead? [/quote]
LOL I was talking to him about that on MSN the other day, but he said he's got loads of stuff on vhs. I think he would want to be able to make copies of his vhs onto disc.
What's the best way if you have loads of vhs and want to back them up onto disc? Get a standalone dvd recorder or combi vhs/dvd recorder?
I'm not sure, I hadnt thought about a DVD/HD unit Brad, I think a VCR will be fine for now. Perhaps a newer one will give me a slightly better picture on the TV (the one I have is old).
OK I guess they all have Ariel Input/output sockets but I was only asking
How much would what you are talking about cost Bruce? I wasnt looking to spend too much, theres' a decent looking Panasonic one on Amazon, tis quite expensive though.
dvd recorders are so cheap nowadays-sainsbury's do a mico for £99 i'd get one of them and transfer your vhs stuff to dvd,using rewritables for taping off air.
[quote][i]Originally posted by brooce-leroy[/i]
What's the best way if you have loads of vhs and want to back them up onto disc? Get a standalone dvd recorder or combi vhs/dvd recorder?[/quote]
In theory the combi BUT I imagine macrovision would stop you so either get one with it disabled (rare now a days) or get seperate device and use a macrovision disabling scart.
Can't you just buy again what you have on VHS?
[quote][i]Originally posted by grim_tales[/i]
I'm not sure, I hadnt thought about a DVD/HD unit Brad, I think a VCR will be fine for now. Perhaps a newer one will give me a slightly better picture on the TV (the one I have is old).[/quote]
It depends how many heads your old one had. Was it mono or stereo?
Mono VCRs only have 2 heads (1 video + 1 audio), stereo VCRs have 6 (2 audio + 4 video). So clearly they're better.
My Sony Stereo VCR is much sharper than my Dad's crap 2 head mono Matsui. Get a 4 or 6 head VCR! NOTE: 6 head VCRs don't really exist it's just different labling. 4 head VCRs don't mention the 2 audio heads but 6 do.
I have lots of video too but nothing I couldn't live without. I record so little off TV I don't need a DVD Recorder.
[quote][i]Originally posted by bradavon[/i]
Salty and it has no copy protection to stop you?
In theory the combi BUT I imagine macrovision would stop you so either get one with it disabled (rare now a days) or get seperate device and use a macrovision disabling scart.
Can't you just buy again what you have on VHS?
[/quote]
No, as I have some TV shows and TV specials recorded from Terrestrial TV/Sky which aren't available to buy on dvd.
It was a stereo VCR Brad, not sure how many heads it had, probably 4. One of the older Furgeson models.
Unfortunately almost all of the VHSs I have is stuff taped off TV Hundreds of the blummin things :doh:
This one looks good, and isnt too expensive...
It looks quite hefty though, and I'm concerned I could get mixed up with my DVD SCART (Gold-plated Acoustic Research one with blue wires/connectors also).
LOL I'm sure you're clever enough to work out which is which. Yes you want a Gold plated Oxegen Free scart. I have one similar to this on my DVD player (it was 2 metres, bought from the same shop and I'm sure it was a bit less, weird):
I used to use it on my DVD player but on my latest player the socket was around the other way so 0.75m wasn't then enough. TBH the one from Amazon looks fine.
IMO go on looks, does it look beefy? and don't spend more than £20. A decent scart does make a difference over a cheapo black one (even if it's gold plated which in itself makes little difference). I was really surprised.
Having said that I have a thick but bog standard black scart for my VCR as it's well a VCR which doesn't have to cope with RGB or anything like that so yes if you want a new scart and it's for a VCR don't spend more than £10.
My VCR is working fine. Good picture through the telly (like I had before) and incredibly easy to set up, it did everything for me as soon as I pressed the "Enter" button on the remote, set the clock on it, tuned the AV channels etc, and the picture is good (for VHS) DVD is unaffected and is fine too.
), and since then, the TV picture is a tiny bit worse on ITV/C4 (still good though).
DVD is unaffected and is fine too.