CompuServe Messages

Hello All, So I'm still on the track for frame-accurate VTRs and controllers. I have been talking to a few suppliers around here (Vancouver) and in Toronto. I'm confused and would love all your opinions on the subject. I was checking for prices for the different formats. One shop said they would even give me a price for rental or sale on the S-VHS, just because the quality is so bad. Is this true? I understand it's not broadcast quality but would it do for a short film or demo tape? Then another supplier said that the Hi-8s are lousy as well! Well, that's the two more affordable formats out the door. At this point I'm becoming a little "salesman weary". This same guy said they had a 3/4" edit suite (frame accurate) for sale for $5000 – including Sony VO5850, Sony VO5800, and the RM440 controller. Sounded pretty good to me – about 5 years old. Then he said "Naw, you don't want these – they won't hold out to single-frame recording… You want the Beta-SP!" So this guy had handily worked me up from the cheap stuff to the most expensive deck in the joint. A Sony BVW400, $8000 (used). I guess the question is: would Hi-8 or, even better, the 3/4" system work for me – I love the idea of being able to edit my own stuff… Thanks for the patience James