Best vhs for transfers

[waloshin]

Is the Panasonic AG 1980 the best VHS for transferring vhs to digital? Or is it junk today?

Thanks

 

[phrehdd]

Waloshin, I can only offer an opinion here - picking the right means to transfer includes both audio and of course video. Some devices are problematic with playback of higher quality audio. You didn't mention what type of VHS tapes you are wanting to tranfer, what speed they are recorded at etc. Some VHS player/transfer units succeed well in some venues but not others. Then again, maybe a service would be a good option.

 

[mcpix]

Back in the day, the Panasonic AG 1980 was great for transferring VHS to digital. The problem with buying a used one today is that because they were used professionally, it will most likely have lots of wear on the heads. The best bet today is to find a used consumer JVC S-VHS deck. The S-VHS output provides a superior transfer and most JVCs include a software "edit" switch that provides the cleanest signal possible. Some of the higher end models even include a TBC (time base corrector) that will help with some tapes. Since these decks were not used professionally, your chances of finding a clean, low hours model is much greater.

 

[waloshin]

Thanks. I need to transfer mainly SP.

 

[markphil1424]

I have one of these, seems to do a decent job. I can also import to FCP X to edit and clean-up the video, then it can be converted to any number of formats. I like the workflow better than using converter boxes, etc.

Funai ZV427FX4 Combination VCR and DVD Recorder

 

[Doc Horrorshow]

Seek out a JVC D-VHS deck. It replays old VHS/S-VHS with about 9 heads and brings out unbelievable detail in sound and picture.

 

[waloshin]

I agree thank you everyone for their comments. I now own the AG 1980 as well as a JVC U7900.

 

[Auggie]

I agree thank you everyone for their comments. I now own the AG 1980 as well as a JVC U7900.

I apologize for bringing up this somewhat dated and once resurrected thread, but what computer do/did use to receive the converted digital stream?

I'm about to embark on digitizing about 50-100 VHS and S-VHS tapes, most of which are recorded in SP mode. It seems the 1980 is the way to go, though some suggest for SP tapes, a JVC 7000 and 9000 HR/Sr series may be better.

Those same recommendations go with an XP-based PC using an ATI AIW 7000 or 9000 series (Rage Theater/Theater 200 chipset) capture card and recording in lossless AVI. I would prefer to use my cMP if I can get similar quality, but I'm already resigned to collecting vintage PC parts to put together a socket 478 machine to be used strictly for digitzing the tapes, and then transferring copies of the masters to my cMP for any editing and final conversion to MPEG/MP4 using FCP perhaps.

 

[waloshin]

I used an Intel i7 7700 16 gb ddr4 ram and a multitude of hard drives for storage. Currently I have upgraded to a Ryzen 7 2700. A classic Mac Pro would work great using a Matrox Mx01 Mini with the PCIe daughter card.