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VCR for analog TV as well as HDTV

Since this is a specialized issue, I thought I may have a better chance of getting responses in a separate thread.

We need to buy a new VCR to replace a dead unit. It will be used to watch old tapes as well as record/playback missed TV shows.

However, presently we have one of the older analog TV's. Within 1-2 years we will probably buy an LCD HDTV. (Given the quality of broadcasts and our cable company, we are likely to continue watching off-air with antenna.)

Will a VCR work on both the analog TV and the future HDTV? Will they all or do I have to watch out when choosing a specific model?
aktchi
reubent
7,072 posts
 
Nshashidhar is correct. There are hi-Def VCRs too. However, they are expensive. The ones I usually see are about $400-$500. I did just recently see one on closeout at Circuit City for $100 open box. It might be worth a look.

TIC
drew_eckhardt
394 posts
 
You do NOT want to mix VHS with a larger, sharper screen. The horizontal luma resolution is about 320 pixels so the image will be very soft. Buy yourself an S-VHS recorder for about 530 pixels horizontally if you must retain backwards compatability with VHS tapes. It'll still be a bit softer than DVD, but not far from laser disc.

It's still only good for about 32 colors across a line, and you will have color bleed into adjacent objects.

Disk based recorders will avoid these problems.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Not too long ago I bought a JVC VCR for a few bucks over $100, mainly to fill the slot in a TV/HT setup, and, on very rare occasions, play a tape. Viewed on a 42" EDTV plasma the picture is much better than I expected. It does depend on the particular tape.

Slightly off topic, but whatever happened to the idea of recording high quality audio (no video) on VCR tapes?
reubent
7,072 posts
 
Eldartford,

I haven't heard of anyone recording Audio on a stereo VHS tape since about 1987. It was a popular concept back then....

Enjoy,

TIC
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