Re: [Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016
I suggest sending it out to a transfer house that can do it right. The difference between cheap and good VCRs is pretty high, and if you buy an old thrift store VCR you're in for a lot of work replacing every rubber part on the transport. The question comes down to how good a job do you really want? --scott ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016
I have two of those JVC S-VHS decks and they work like a charm. > On Feb 4, 2016, at 3:37 PM, Dave Tetzlaff wrote: > > Check thrift stores that let you return electronics (usually just for store > credit) if it doesn't work: Salvation Army and Goodwill usually do. Thrift > stores are where all VHS decks go to die – and the stores just want to move > them, so they price the good ones the same as the crappy ones. For > digitizing, I think you'd want one with: > • s-video output > • separate heads for SP and EP > • some kind of built-in frame-store buffer on the video out > > The later JVC S-VHS models fit the bill. They weren't super-reliable, but now > you're basically dealing with a disposable item that should cost less than a > pizza -- $5-$15. > > If one works well when you get it, it should serve for a god while if you > take care of it. > > VCRs either run at the correct speed or don't play-back a clean picture at > all. > > If the transport mechanisms are bad, the problems are generally obvious: they > either don't load/eject the tape, don't Play or FF or REW, or do obvious > damage (e.g. creases) to the tape. Run a junk tape through the various > functions: and if they all work, and there are no suspicious noises, you're > probably good mechanically. > > The electronics generally either work or don't. They don't degrade. At some > point, a capacitor dies or something, and the machine just gives up the > ghost. If you have a working unit of any substantive age, there's no saying > how long the circuits will last, so keep the investment low and don't worry > about it. > > The part of a VHS VCR that will cause the picture to degrade with use is wear > on the heads. But all you can do about that is check the image at home. > > Aside from JVC, Mitsubishi made some good S-VHS decks, though they didn't > have frame-stores... > ___ > FrameWorks mailing list > FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com > https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016
Check thrift stores that let you return electronics (usually just for store credit) if it doesn't work: Salvation Army and Goodwill usually do. Thrift stores are where all VHS decks go to die – and the stores just want to move them, so they price the good ones the same as the crappy ones. For digitizing, I think you'd want one with: • s-video output • separate heads for SP and EP • some kind of built-in frame-store buffer on the video out The later JVC S-VHS models fit the bill. They weren't super-reliable, but now you're basically dealing with a disposable item that should cost less than a pizza -- $5-$15. If one works well when you get it, it should serve for a god while if you take care of it. VCRs either run at the correct speed or don't play-back a clean picture at all. If the transport mechanisms are bad, the problems are generally obvious: they either don't load/eject the tape, don't Play or FF or REW, or do obvious damage (e.g. creases) to the tape. Run a junk tape through the various functions: and if they all work, and there are no suspicious noises, you're probably good mechanically. The electronics generally either work or don't. They don't degrade. At some point, a capacitor dies or something, and the machine just gives up the ghost. If you have a working unit of any substantive age, there's no saying how long the circuits will last, so keep the investment low and don't worry about it. The part of a VHS VCR that will cause the picture to degrade with use is wear on the heads. But all you can do about that is check the image at home. Aside from JVC, Mitsubishi made some good S-VHS decks, though they didn't have frame-stores... ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/vhs-player-new for about 100 you can get a brand new vcr. safer than an used clunker that may eat tapes 2016-02-04 16:01 GMT-04:00 : > Test it with some tapes you don't care about. I have 2 VCRs which are > still working fine, but I use them periodically to keep them in working > order. It's the sitting around for long periods of time with the belts > drying out that kills them. > > Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Rogers network. > *From: *Chris Freeman > *Sent: *Thursday, February 4, 2016 15:53 > *To: *Experimental Film Discussion List > *Reply To: *Experimental Film Discussion List > *Subject: *[Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016 > > I have some old VHS tapes I'd like to transfer to digital. I have the > software and the hookups for my computer but I don't have a VCR. What > should I look for when buying them now? I know with cassette tape decks, > you have to watch out for things like belts loosening over time and them > playing the wrong speed. I imagine VCRs have similar quirks that have > happened over time? > > Budget is probably like thrift store. > > > ___ > FrameWorks mailing list > FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com > https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks > > ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
Re: [Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016
Test it with some tapes you don't care about. I have 2 VCRs which are still working fine, but I use them periodically to keep them in working order. It's the sitting around for long periods of time with the belts drying out that kills them. Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Rogers network.From: Chris FreemanSent: Thursday, February 4, 2016 15:53To: Experimental Film Discussion ListReply To: Experimental Film Discussion ListSubject: [Frameworks] Buying a VCR in 2016I have some old VHS tapes I'd like to transfer to digital. I have the software and the hookups for my computer but I don't have a VCR. What should I look for when buying them now? I know with cassette tape decks, you have to watch out for things like belts loosening over time and them playing the wrong speed. I imagine VCRs have similar quirks that have happened over time?Budget is probably like thrift store. ___ FrameWorks mailing list FrameWorks@jonasmekasfilms.com https://mailman-mail5.webfaction.com/listinfo/frameworks
