VHS/SVHS deck with decent TBC for U$$200 or less, is it possible?

[Chainmax]

From what I searched, decks with TBC don't cost less than 500 bucks. Is there a good solution to add decent TBC to my future VHS captures for 200 bucks or less? What do you think about this (http://www.datavideo-tek.com/products/tbc_100_main_page.htm)?

[FlimsyFeet]

I'm shocked at the price of that TBC here in the UK, £195!

The JVC HR-S7965 or the Panasonic NVSV121EBS (both include a TBC) can be bought for ~£140.

[kurt476]

what is TBC?

[jggimi]

Kurt, you could have searched, or used one of my favorite sites, www.acronymfinder.com -- but your question was just answered, quite clearly, in another thread. Blackout described not only what TBC means, but what a TBC does, and how it does it. Click here (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=576076#post576076).

[Chainmax]

Thanks for the recommendations, FlimsyFeet. That JVC HRS7965 sounds like a sweet deal, I'm going to know if it can be used to capture PAL and NTSC VHS and SVHS and what exactly does "Auto 16:9 Recording & Playback" mean.

[trevlac]

I don't have a TBC, and I'm a bit suspecious of the value over a VCR with a built in one, or just a vcr that plays well.

Are you in the US?

Anyway ... BHPhoto lists one from TVOne for < $200. It lists that Datavideo one for $260, so you might be able to get the TVOne for a bit less.

Markertek is a place that sells pro equipment in the US. They have that Datavideo one for $250, and the TVOne for $209. You can also see a bunch of pro level ones there.
http://www.markertek.com/ProdList.asp?cat=VIDEOEQUIP&subcat=VIDPROCESS&prodClass=TBC&search=0&off=

Hotronic is a pro brand I'm always looking for on ebay. But they still arn't cheap.

I'd guess the difference tends to be how many lines (or if a full frame) are digitized and adjusted. I doubt that VCRs do full frame. Also, the pro ones have stuff you don't need. They also have built in proc amps.

Finally ... this seems to come up a bunch over at videohelp.com You might search there. I recall that there are one or 2 cheaper models out there.

Hope this helps.

[FlimsyFeet]

Yes the TBCs built in to consumer VCRs will most likely only correct a few lines at a time, whilst the separate pro units will do the full frame.

The 7965 is a UK model, yes it will do PAL and probably play NTSC tapes as NTSC 4.43 or PAL 60, auto 16:9 just means that if you record a widescreen programme then the VCR will output a signal on playback to switch the TV to 16:9. But if you're in the US then you would need to get one imported and use a voltage converter.

The equivalent US model is I think the 7900, but it probably wont do PAL.

[Chainmax]

I live in Uruguay and we use PAL here (more specifically PAL-N, IIRC). I'm not looking for Pro stuff since this will be used mainly for family tapes backups and I just want TBC.

trevlac: thanks for the links, I see that getting a cheapo VHS/SVHS deck and either the Datavideo or the TVOne would basically give me what I need at a much lower price than what I expected. I'll look into the options you gave me, thanks a bunch :).


P.S: what's a proc amp? :o

[Chainmax]

While we're at it, can you recommend me a cheap VCR that accepts PAL and NTSC VHS/SVHS?

[trevlac]

Originally posted by Chainmax

P.S: what's a proc amp? :o

Processing Amp. Adjust brightness/contrast/hue/etc. Stuff you can adjust on a tv. It's nice if you can do this in analog before the signal gets digitized. Not sure how that TVOne works.

Sorry I don't know VCRs. The JVC FFeet pointed out is supposed to be good, but on the high end. I have a low end JVC SVHS, but it only does NTSC.

I pointed out the TBC in case you already had a VCR.