Warm up your cool fall season with new premiers this week that include Little People Big World (PICTURED, 5th Season, 10/13, TLC); Samantha Who? (2nd Season, 10/13, ABC); My Own Worst Enemy (10/13, NBC); Eli Stone (2nd Season, 10/14, ABC); Time Warp (10/15, DISCVRY); Parking Wars (2nd Season, 10/15, A&E); David Alan Grier's Chocolate News (10/15, COMEDY CENTRAL); Crusoe (10/17, NBC) and Real Simple Real Life (10/17, TLC). Season Finales this week include The Cleaner (10/13 A&E); The Rachel Zoe Project (10/14, BRAVO); Project Runway (10/15, BRAVO) and Destination Truth (10/15 SCI-FI). You can discuss all your favorite programs with other HTF members in our TV & HDTV programming forum
I would never buy a DVHS deck. I just don't see the point in spending a bunch of money on a teeny tiny niche format that has very minimal software available, and will only last as long as it takes for HD-DVD to make it's appearance. Not only that, but it's tape, so it's a nice step backwards in lastability and useabilty, and value for the money...
I guess if you are the type that must have everything, go for it, the picture quality is certainly impressive.
I would never buy a DVHS deck. I just don't see the point in spending a bunch of money on a teeny tiny niche format that has very minimal software available, and will only last as long as it takes for HD-DVD to make it's appearance. Not only that, but it's tape, so it's a nice step backwards in lastability and useabilty, and value for the money
I can understand where you're coming from, but have you ever watched a movie on DVHS. The video bitrate completely blows broadcast HD away IMO. I sat and watched X-men and Ice Age and both were beautiful.
If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.
For crying out loud: Do NOT use this thread to air your anti-D-VHS rants. Keith is asking for specific information regarding the reliability of D-VHS machines, not for tape-bad/disc-good diatribes.
I have been using the standard definition DirecTV D-VHS VCRs for over 3 years with great results. All D-VHS VCRs are more finicky than analog VCRs, with little tape imperfections or dirty heads causing noticeable glitches. Mine require high grade SVHS or D-VHS tape to get acceptable results. The VCR heads require more frequent cleaning which I do by taking the top off the VCR and using a chamois and isopropyl alcohol. It seems I have to clean them about once or twice a year or perhaps every 100-200 hours of use. I am considering an HDTV D-VHS VCR now that the prices are reasonable. I think D-VHS is good format but I certainly could not fault anybody for waiting until HDTV DVD recorders are available. Fuji H471S SVHS tape is the best tape to use in my opinion.
How is the build quality of the unit? I currently own the JVC 9400U flagship svhs from a few years back. And was not very impressed compared to other manufacturers offerings. Yet, the picture quality for svhs on this deck is very crisp.
Is the fan very loud? Is studio support diminishing? Why are the prices dropping so quickly? Should I just patiently wait out the "next" format?
