VCR Signal Deterioration

[Blades]

VCR

[evildragon]

i prefer running all composite stuff through my VCR, as it can amplify the signal..

for example, i purposely put in a low powered video signal into the VCR, and out came a beautiful image..

[evildragon]

That's cool. Do they do it automatically and do all VCRs do this?

Blades

yea, it's done automatically, as it's just how it's comb filter works (or however the thing "switches" and mixes the video..

depends on the VCR I think, some do it and some dont.. from what i could tell, all VCRs that have an on-screen-display do it.. (once again, how it's mixes the video 'overlay')

mine is a Panasonic...

[Joe Redifer]

Well, there's one way to find out if your particular VCR is causing any degradation to the signal. Hook the composite directly to the TV, bypassing the VCR. View something you are familiar looking at on that television which normally passes through the VCR. Notice any difference at all? Not all VCRs are equal. Some may or may not react to the Macrovision nonsense.

[retrosega]

I have found signal degradation doing that. I prefer to connect straight to the TV inputs.

I don't think the composite signals are amplified. However the VCR may have picture and sound settings which may give the appearance of a better signal.

If you use the RF cable and plug into the VCR....then thats another story. I would tend to believe that the signal is amplified.

[evildragon]

I have found signal degradation doing that. I prefer to connect straight to the TV inputs.

I don't think the composite signals are amplified. However the VCR may have picture and sound settings which may give the appearance of a better signal.

If you use the RF cable and plug into the VCR....then thats another story. I would tend to believe that the signal is amplified.

there's no such thing as a filter on a VCR.. VCRs are just so primitive they never have any kind of filters (unlike DVD recorders). They either amplify the signal, or they don't..

They need to bring the signal up to par, in order for it to properly overlay the on-screen-display.. So they do that, in effect, the picture has a much better picture..

I tried this. Since my Atari 2600 is Composite modded with the old Ben Heck mod, the signal is extremely weak.. Connecting it to the TV has poor H-Sync and a dark picture.. Putting it through the VCR gives me a nice bright stable image..

[Joe Redifer]

I have a couple of S-VHS VCRs with built in Time Base Correctors and digital noise reduction.

[evildragon]

I have a couple of S-VHS VCRs with built in Time Base Correctors and digital noise reduction.

yea, i know the Seperate-Video stuff will, but we are average consumers that can't afford those high-quality machines with awesome Comb Filters..

[retrosega]

I have some sort of picture optimizing option on my VCR.

Also what about combo VCR/DVD units? They will definitely have picture and sound optimizations.

[evildragon]

I have some sort of picture optimizing option on my VCR.

Also what about combo VCR/DVD units? They will definitely have picture and sound optimizations.

actually, no.. if you notice about combo units, their S-Video out is only for DVD (and sometimes COAX).. Their Composite out is for VCR and DVD use.. They just don't optimize the picture..

And do share what kind of VCR you have...

[retrosega]

Well both our VCRs have a picture setting. Both are quite old though.

1. Philips VR655/75. It has an option in the menu "Picture Control" which increases the sharpness of the picture.

2. Panasonic NV-HD650MK2A. It has a button - CVC (crystal view control) - which adjusts playback for optimum picture quality. Again I think its a sharpness setting.

I haven't bothered connecting the megadrive into the VCR to see if there is a difference with the settings on or off. I know it definitely makes the picture sharping when watching a video tape.

[evildragon]

I believe those are for the VHS tapes themselves, to compensate for the crappy quality..

[retrosega]

Just tested the Philips VCR.

There is a DEFINITE improvement in image color. Particularly more vibrant. Image quality has improved in sharpness....slight but still noticeable.

I tested it on Panorama Cotton, comparing Japanese text and the in game icons.

I have it running on an Panasonic Veira 32 LCD HDTV.

I'll be running the megadrive though the VCR from now on for sure!

[evildragon]

that would be the amplification i mentioned...

[retrosega]

Picture is slightly better too when I have "picture control" enabled on VCR. Seems sharper.