Good vintage VCR? (1 Viewer)

[Ron1973]

I bought one of the combo deals with a DVD player/recorder. The DVD side isn't bad at all, but the VCR just isn't what I'm looking for. I know you'll never get HD, but even professional tapes in SP mode just look crappy. It introduces noise in tapes I don't remember being noisy on my last combo unit. Yes, I would prefer to chunk the format altogether, but there are still classic shows not fully out in DVD format that are still accessible through VHS, plus a few home movies I want to transfer to DVD.

If I decided to look into a vintage player, obviously hi-if capable, what brands or whatnot would I be looking for?

 

[schan1269]

Mitsubishi(any) and Sony/Panasonic editing models(have forward/reverse knobs on the player itself or the remote.

 

[John Hermes]

I bought one of the combo deals with a DVD player/recorder. The DVD side isn't bad at all, but the VCR just isn't what I'm looking for. I know you'll never get HD, but even professional tapes in SP mode just look crappy. It introduces noise in tapes I don't remember being noisy on my last combo unit. Yes, I would prefer to chunk the format altogether, but there are still classic shows not fully out in DVD format that are still accessible through VHS, plus a few home movies I want to transfer to DVD.

If I decided to look into a vintage player, obviously hi-if capable, what brands or whatnot would I be looking for?

A great machine if you can find one in good condition is the Panasonic AG-1980, one of their prosumer models. Very clean video, and a built-in basic TBC (time base corrector). Excellent SP playback and it tracks better than most on old slow-speed tapes. I have one and like it more than anything other than the big pro editing decks.

 

[Citizen87645]

Seconding the Panasonic AG-1980.

 

[Ron1973]

I looked at a few on eBay, and that does seem to be the route I want to go. Many thanks!

 

[Jerome Grate]

If you can get your hands on any of the JVC S-Video VCRs, like the H3600U. These made owning a VCR during the outbreak of DVDs worthwhile. You should still be able to find one of these and if you can get a 7200, that is even better.