VCR to DVD recorder question..... S-video cable?

Question

I have two Sony VCR's that both work good. I also have an external DVD player. I've transferred a couple VHS tapes onto DVD using the RCA cables (I think that's what they're called).

The problem is neither VCR has the S-Video outlet and I have heard the quality is much better with the S-video cord. Is it worth it to buy a new VCR with an S-video cable outlet? If someone has done this, is the picture *that* much better?

I do not want to get a vcr/dvd-recorder combo. I kinda hate those things. I am getting rid of my vhs tapes, so I don't want the combo for that reason either.

Any tips would be great. I am just transferring some old TV shows and stuff. thanks

Answer 1

Honestly, I've not noticed much of a difference in the quality between S-Video and RCA.  Both are digital signals.  You've also got to remember that you're transferring from an analog source (VHS) to a digital source.  The quality of the video's going to be limited more by the source, and not so much the transfer method.

Answer 2

It seems you're getting a bit of incorrect information on your other answers here.  No big deal - but maybe I can help you out.  For one thing - yes, the S-video gives you a better picture because it separates your video signal between luminance and chrominance on the 4 pins.  The higher separation of signal, the better picture.  However, when you're talking about VHS - the picture is only ever going to be as good as the source.  So, when you transfer it to DVD - it's only going to be either as good as the original or worse - never better.  Also, composite and s-video are not digital as someone said.  They are both analog.  S-Video can be digital when used in a computer (laptops used to have a 7-pin s-video connector that was digital).

Generally a VHS is 640x480 resolution.  When you copy it to a DVD it is converted to MPEG2 at 720x480.  The only thing that will determine the quality in that case is the recording mode you put the DVD recorder in.  Generally there is XP, SP, LP, and EP modes.  SP is the default - which allows for 2 hours.  This is the usual quality of picture and doesn't have a noticeable difference between it and XP (1 hour) mode.  It uses what's referred to as a VBR (variable bit rate).  Most DVDs have a 5Mb/s bit-rate.

Basically, for copying VHS to DVD - the s-video cable will not make a difference.  The only time it would is if you're copying from a source that has a higher quality image than what is capable of being transmitted through the CVBS (yellow) cable - which VHS is not.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

S-video is somewhat over rated.

Keep your existing hardware and connections until you can upgrade all the hardware to HD DVR, HD recorder, and HDTV.

Besides that you are using a VCR and a VCR is only capable of so much quality if it is a VHS or BETA VCR or even the so called VHS-HQ.

Only S-VHS, Hi-8, or digital formats benefit from better connections than the Yellow Composite Video connection and really only the digital formats do in my humble opinion.

Answer 4

s- video will give you better quality.but hey the hole point is you not putting money on another VCR  so don do it.

better quality  yes but just a little so not worth it

Answer 5

I don't think you would see any appreciable difference

especially when transferring from VHS.

I would just go with what you have until something

dies and then upgrade at that time.

The S-Video does give a somewhat better picture

from DVDs but don't think it would justify the expense.