CompuServe Thread

Dick: >instead of just getting a couple SVHS/VHS decks and a controller for starters (such as Pana AG-1970's) I've had some conversations and seen some newsletter type comments suggesting editing to a 3/4" tape system. Thus allowing less generational loss when editing and then copying again. I'm assuming used equipment here. Any opinions from "real" experience out there? < Well, as someone who's tried it both ways–while 3/4" is preferable because you can get more composite info on the tape, you'll also need a time base corrector/digital frame buffer to get S-VHS quality (a component format) onto 3/4" (a composite format). Also, if you want any degree of edit control (which you'll need for 3/4", since I don't think any models come w/flying erase heads), you'll have to get a true industrial level S-VHS edit deck and an editing 3/4" deck, along w/a industrial level controller (don't have numbers offhand, but each is a couple thousand–used). For the level you're discussing, maybe editing S-VHS – S-VHS would be preferable, since everything more likely to be compatible that way. (Of course, if you want the best dub-down of S-VHS to VHS, you'll still need a TBC/frame buffer–like what comes w/SEGs like the Panasonic WJ-AVE-5 & 7, or the Videonics MX-1–but you can worry about that later.) Hope this helps, Tim Liebe

Dick, Im my opinion 3/4" is about dead. It may hold out more to multi-generation work, but as the power of doing more in "one-pass" continues to increase with DTV advances, multi-generational formats become secondary to higher quality first or second generational formats. I'd go with SVHS on the record side and maybe hi-8 on the source. -John