VCR with S-Video Output? <£30?

[jezzer256]

Hey

Our VCR just went bust. After much debate about whether we should actually get another one, we've decided we've got too many childrens' videos that need to be working for the next couple of years or so.

We have a projector mounted to the ceiling. It has HDMI and VGA wired to it. However, my amplifier can upconvert S-Video to HDMI - so I was thinking, what VCR has an S-Video output (or at least an S-Video compatible SCART output)?

Any ideas? Need it to be less than £30 ideally. Any links from the Bay much appreciated!

Jezzer

[njp]

The only VCRs that had s-video connectors were Super VHS (and Super VHS ET) machines, because they were the only ones that recorded in a format where the signals were seperated. Even then, playing a normal VHS tape would give no PQ advantage over the composite output.

I wouldn't bother.

[nvingo]

Originally Posted by njp

The only VCRs that had s-video connectors were Super VHS (and Super VHS ET) machines, because they were the only ones that recorded in a format where the signals were seperated. Even then, playing a normal VHS tape would give no PQ advantage over the composite output.

I wouldn't bother.

He doesn't want it to improve the quality, but because he has no composite video connection to the projector.

Originally Posted by jezzer256

We have a projector mounted to the ceiling. It has HDMI and VGA wired to it. However, my amplifier can upconvert S-Video to HDMI - so I was thinking, what VCR has an S-Video output (or at least an S-Video compatible SCART output)?

Any ideas? Need it to be less than £30 ideally. Any links from the Bay much appreciated!

Jezzer

If you have a DVD recorder, you may well have the means to convert composite to S-video (therefore on to HDMI), just by setting up as if to record from the VHS, the S-video output will act as passthrough.
Search Ebay for S-VHS VCRs

[njp]

Originally Posted by nvingo

He doesn't want it to improve the quality, but because he has no composite video connection to the projector.

In which case, he presumably wasn't connecting his previous VCR to his projector either. I was hinting that perhaps he shouldn't bother.

[jezzer256]

Originally Posted by njp

In which case, he presumably wasn't connecting his previous VCR to his projector either. I was hinting that perhaps he shouldn't bother.

Cheers chaps.

OK, so if I get one of these 'Super VHS' players, they have a S Video output that will work with standard video tapes yes?

Jez

P.S. I have a Panny EX75 if that could help at all?

[njp]

Originally Posted by jezzer256

OK, so if I get one of these 'Super VHS' players, they have a S Video output that will work with standard video tapes yes?

Yes. It will have a comb filter that will do that job. BTW, the Sharp VCR on the first result from that ebay link is very good - I have one.

[nvingo]

Originally Posted by jezzer256

Cheers chaps.

OK, so if I get one of these 'Super VHS' players, they have a S Video output that will work with standard video tapes yes?

Jez

P.S. I have a Panny EX75 if that could help at all?

In that case you have a choice;
New VHS recorder and connect via scart to the DMR-EX75, and view via that and the HDMI link.
Used (or new if you can find one!) S-VHS recorder connected in S via the amp.
I have S-VHS machines but they're so old that I'm not in a position to recommend or otherwise from the more recently available models. Suffice to say that JVC, Panasonic and Mitsubishi were the main players when the format ruled.

[jezzer256]

Originally Posted by nvingo

In that case you have a choice;
New VHS recorder and connect via scart to the DMR-EX75, and view via that and the HDMI link.

I've tried this with the current Video recorder and it doesn't seem to work. Does anyone know how to get it working (with a Panny EX75)? Are you sure it can essentially 'upconvert' Scart to HDMI?

To confuse things, I also use the EX75 for a simple Scart pass-through. Which means I only have to have 1 scart lead running to the CRT telly rather than 2 (when the Panny is switched off, it lets the VHS Scart signal through).

Originally Posted by nvingo

Used (or new if you can find one!) S-VHS recorder connected in S via the amp.

This makes sense. Unfortunately, yet another complication, I need a black one to keep in colour scheme! What do you think of this one?

Thanks people!

Jezzer

[nvingo]

Originally Posted by jezzer256

I've tried this with the current Video recorder and it doesn't seem to work. Does anyone know how to get it working (with a Panny EX75)? Are you sure it can essentially 'upconvert' Scart to HDMI?

To confuse things, I also use the EX75 for a simple Scart pass-through. Which means I only have to have 1 scart lead running to the CRT telly rather than 2 (when the Panny is switched off, it lets the VHS Scart signal through).



This makes sense. Unfortunately, yet another complication, I need a black one to keep in colour scheme! What do you think of this one?

Thanks people!

Jezzer

My dad has one of those, and a JVC equivalent (I think the Philips was simply a JVC clone, with few adjustments) and I don't believe he has any problems with either, still being used for regular timeshifting (he doesn't have DVDR or a PVR) after eight or more years.
It was not a premium model, introduced at a time when it was thought possible to bring S-VHS to the masses, but also when Philips had little further interest and when home DVD recording was on the horizon.
One review.
So for your particular purpose it should be ideal.

[jezzer256]

Originally Posted by nvingo

My dad has one of those, and a JVC equivalent (I think the Philips was simply a JVC clone, with few adjustments) and I don't believe he has any problems with either, still being used for regular timeshifting (he doesn't have DVDR or a PVR) after eight or more years.
It was not a premium model, introduced at a time when it was thought possible to bring S-VHS to the masses, but also when Philips had little further interest and when home DVD recording was on the horizon.
One review.
So for your particular purpose it should be ideal.

Great, I think I'll go for this one then. Just one final question... I won't be 'sacrificing' picture quality via standard Scart with S-VHS players will I?

Jezzer

[nvingo]

Originally Posted by jezzer256

Just one final question... I won't be 'sacrificing' picture quality via standard Scart with S-VHS players will I?

Jezzer

Not quite sure what your point is ?
You'll presumably use the rear 4-pin S-output (and associated RCA stereo audio) to feed your amp which connects via HDMI to the projector. That's as good as it gets for playing VHS or S-VHS tapes.
I'm not sure but I expect the scart output can be configured for composite video or S-video. If you have equipment connected to the scart (CRT TV) just select which is appropriate or convenient for that. Any quality difference between composite and S-video will only be apparent if the tapes are recorded in S.

[epicdream]

Just for information, I have just bought a JVC S660 SVHS deck, second hand, off ebay for £20... So they are out there....

[njp]

Originally Posted by nvingo

Any quality difference between composite and S-video will only be apparent if the tapes are recorded in S.

Or if the VCR has a better comb filter than the display. Unlikely to be much difference, admittedly!

[jezzer256]

OK great. I'll shove a bid in soon then for that link above

Cheers all

Jez