VHS hifi sound quality. [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

stairpost

09-05-2019, 22:11

Hi all,

I've just watched on a youtube video about how good the sound quality is on VHS, and how it's a forgotten way to record high quality audio. I was intrigued enough to want to find out more but skeptical after watching one man's review. So, has anyone here used a good quality VHS machine to record vinyl with pleasing results?

My thinking is that it might be a handy & cheap way to compile a couple of hours of music from record, ideal for those press play and forget sessions on games night and the like.

Cheers

Rich.

Ali Tait

09-05-2019, 22:15

Not vinyl specifically, but I did have a top of the range Sony back in the day which made superb recordings.

Light Dependant Resistor

09-05-2019, 23:13

Hi Rich

Both the DBX 700 and Sony PCM 501ES used video tape beyond normal analog recording.
The DBX 700 broke many records for technological audio achievement, not even rivalled today , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dbx_Model_700_Digital_Audio_Processor

whereas the Sony was not quite as ambitious. Both used video tape to provide digital recording.

Macca

10-05-2019, 05:43

Not personally but I did know a bloke 30 years ago who would borrow CDs and copy them onto VHS. He reckoned the performance spec was pretty much the same as CD and they did sound pretty good. Certainly better than a typical cassette deck.

bob4333

10-05-2019, 06:09

I had a Panasonic NV-SV120 SVHS player that totally supported everything that's said about the medium's hifi quality. Pink Floyd's Pulse on VHS was a pure delight to listen to, up there with the best.

Another thing I wish I'd never sold. Got 20 quid for it off ebay - I must have been nuts. :doh:

Macca

10-05-2019, 06:27

I've still got a Philips VR686 machine and a collection of tapes. I started compiling a film library on VHS and then DVD came out about a year later so I switched to that. Not actually sure if it is possible to connect it up to my latest TV though. The same problem Cartman encountered when he was transported 500 years into the future and wanted to hook up his Nintendo Wii.

On paper a decent VHS player should be as good as the best open reel decks. But with CDs so cheap now there's no point making copies of them anymore. Unless I suppose you wanted a particular issue that is stupidly expensive or not available to buy at all.

stairpost

10-05-2019, 15:11

Thanks for all the input, much appreciated.

By the sounds of it then it seems well worth giving it a try, especially with the prices of VHS machines these days.

I see what's out there and let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Rich.

Macca

10-05-2019, 15:26

Should be interesting .

struth

10-05-2019, 15:28

you need a machine that can utilise the whole video section of the tape, as the linear audio track is tiny. Some machines could do this, and it was called hifi soundtrack mode.

Columbo

10-05-2019, 16:29

Macca

10-05-2019, 16:41

Scart-to-HDMI converter:
http://ebay.co.uk/itm/202568475587

.

useful thanks! I've got scart leads coming out of my ass, was going to bin them.

Barry

10-05-2019, 17:32

you need a machine that can utilise the whole video section of the tape, as the linear audio track is tiny. Some machines could do this, and it was called hifi soundtrack mode.

Agreed. and the tape speed for the audio channel is still the standard 1 7/8 ips. My VHS machine packed up a couple of weeks ago, so I threw it out along with over 50 pre-recorded tapes. Still it was over 15 years old.

Barry

10-05-2019, 17:39

useful thanks! I've got scart leads coming out of my ass, was going to bin them.

If you are interested Martin, I can let you have one of these for £20 (complete with HDMI cable): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1080P-SCART-to-HDMI-Converter-Audio-Video-3-5mm-With-Power-Adapter-DVD-Aluminum/173849865504?epid=24022271884&hash=item287a426d20:g:8qAAAOSwYipcv~nT

Macca

10-05-2019, 17:44

Cheers Barry but the eBay one is only eight bucks.

Firebottle

10-05-2019, 19:05

Agreed. and the tape speed for the audio channel is still the standard 1 7/8 ips. My VHS machine packed up a couple of weeks ago, so I threw it out along with over 50 pre-recorded tapes. Still it was over 15 years old.

That's not actually correct on the 'hi-fi' VHS machines.
The audio is superimposed onto a high frequency carrier, can't quite remember the actual frequency but about 400kHz, then recorded along with the video using the scanning head across the whole tape width.
Because the frequency is lower than the video recorded signal it penetrates the tape to a greater depth, so you end up with video recorded to a shallow depth and the 'hi-fi' audio recorded at a greater depth 'behind' the video.

Quite clever really.

Ali Tait

10-05-2019, 19:40

A lot used the NICAM system I seem to recall

Barry

10-05-2019, 20:04

A lot used the NICAM system I seem to recall

Yes mine did, but I thought that was a processing system and the audio record/replay head was separate to, and outside the spinning head mechanism. Could be wrong though as I never regarded VHS as a serious audio record/replay medium.

Mike Reed

10-05-2019, 21:55

Not vinyl specifically, but I did have a top of the range Sony back in the day which made superb recordings.

So did I. A Sony Betamax SL-HF 100 UB bought around 1984 for £600. It was advertised as an alternative to R2R. I still have the machine in my loft, and a Hi News review. It was highly rated.

Barry

10-05-2019, 22:01

So did I. A Sony Betamax SL-HF 100 UB bought around 1984 for £600. It was advertised as an alternative to R2R. I still have the machine in my loft, and a Hi News review. It was highly rated.

https://www.palsite.com/100spec.html

A W&F spec of < 0.005% rms is incredible, and probably 10x better than the best studio R2R machines!

They still fetch a good price: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-BETAMAX-SL-HF100UB-REMOTE-CONTROL-WITH-WARRANTY/392262254240?hash=item5b54a6fea0:g:KQoAAOSwe0tcaVO w

But the one I had in mind was this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-SL-F1UB-PAL-Betamax-Recorder-TT-F1UB-Tuner-Timer-Good-working-order/163679048909?hash=item261c0814cd:g:l40AAOSwxBNc0GK l

Macca

10-05-2019, 22:09

Yes mine did, but I thought that was a processing system and the audio record/replay head was separate to, and outside the spinning head mechanism. Could be wrong though as I never regarded VHS as a serious audio record/replay medium.

I think this is correct. NICAM required a NICAM encoded signal to be received otherwise it was redundant.

stairpost

10-05-2019, 22:26

https://www.palsite.com/100spec.html

A W&F spec of < 0.005% rms is incredible, and probably 10x better than the best studio R2R machines!

They still fetch a good price: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-BETAMAX-SL-HF100UB-REMOTE-CONTROL-WITH-WARRANTY/392262254240?hash=item5b54a6fea0:g:KQoAAOSwe0tcaVO w

But the one I had in mind was this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sony-SL-F1UB-PAL-Betamax-Recorder-TT-F1UB-Tuner-Timer-Good-working-order/163679048909?hash=item261c0814cd:g:l40AAOSwxBNc0GK l

Looking at that sony tuner/recorder has brought back some long forgotten memories. I spent a few years in the 90s in music/film production, we had that set up and it got a lot of use. Plus, whenever we stayed in a hotel and the TV had user functionality enabled, we'd plumb it in and watch whatever we had with us instead of the dire TV offerings. Hadn't thought about that for years, it's funny what brings memories back.

Leppy

10-09-2020, 13:03

I'd like your opinions on this. A few yrs ago I bought a panasonic nv fs200 svhs( charity shop) with the intentions of using it purely for audio recordings.Also bought about 40 svhs cassettes. Never did anything with them, my thinking was whatever I copy is going to be less than the original source but maybe with a different sound. I've got an inkling to finally have a play around with it, using a a digital source, radio or even youtube. I am aware of copyright but it is just for amusement. I,ve a couple of denon av amps, an avc3800 and an avr2307, which I think would be better than ordinary hifi amps, because they have toslink connections from a smart tv. Thoughts please
Thanks Frank

dowser

15-09-2020, 16:33

As above, you want SVHS, not VHS. I still have dedicated audio only backups of my best vinyl on SVHS - no way to fecking play them anymore, of course :) It sounded very good, I preferred top end Panasonic VCRs. All bettered by ripping to disc nowadays ai guess.

losepete

15-09-2020, 17:12

Hi Richard

If you really want to play those SVHS tapes and you prefer a Panasonic SVHS machine to play them on I am about to "ebay" a Panasonic NV-HS830B-S in fairly good condition - works well, few scuff marks on case. Boxed with manual.

I have a few pre-recorded tapes, mainly 70's rock, and some used blanks, mainly VHS that I would be happy to include.

If interested PM me to discuss further.

Leppy

16-11-2020, 16:45

Had a play around at the weekend and tried recording some concerts on bbc sounds onto svhs. My tv only has SPDIF sound out, no joy, either because the tv has a block on the digital out or , as the manual of the Denon avc3800 states " you can't record from a digital source." So most likely both. Rigged up the NV-fs200B to sound out on an old desktop (vista) and it worked perfectly. Recorded in lp mode so was able to get six 1 hour concerts on a fujifilm 180 svhs cassette. I couldn't discern any noticeable difference to playback on the tape and the source. I also tried one of the concerts in sp mode. I thought it sounded a little fuller although opinion on this seems to differ. It would be neater not to have to go through the desktop so any suggestions on this would be appreciated. The desktop is connected via a network cable .I only have adsl, no fibre available where I live so didn't want to trust wifi.

Macca

16-11-2020, 17:47

get a digital to analogue converter and run the sp/dif out of the telly into that, then into the VCR.

There's no way I can think of doing it that won't involve some sort of box in between.

martinswimmer

16-11-2020, 22:32

I've been using a Panasonic AG-7350 to record on 3 hours SVHS - I can't hear any differences between the recording and the LP.
3 hours of playback! No turning records! No wearing out the stylus! Occasional dropouts :-(

Ali Tait

17-11-2020, 08:35

I remember having a Sony SLV-R1000 back in the day and making some great recordings with it.

kirstysdad

20-11-2020, 17:56

I remember having a Sony SLV-R1000 back in the day and making some great recordings with it.

I had an AKAI top of the range VCR in 1990, audio level meters etc, could record at different speeds I recall. Blood excellent audio recording quality. Some bugger broke into the flat and stole it along with half my CD collection. Left the remote control though, the most complex I'd ever seen. Had pages that you turned to use different functions... VSF600 or something had 4 heads!!

Found one on ebay! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-AKAI-VS-F600EK-professional-VHS-video-recorder-editor-working-JAPAN/114452827304?hash=item1aa5eb8ca8:g:hw8AAOSwumNff4j T

Ali Tait

20-11-2020, 18:49

Yes, I remember the instructions that came with the Sony, it was like a phone book lol.

mik_rik

20-11-2020, 20:14

I had an AKAI top of the range VCR in 1990, audio level meters etc, could record at different speeds I recall. Blood excellent audio recording quality. Some bugger broke into the flat and stole it along with half my CD collection. Left the remote control though, the most complex I'd ever seen. Had pages that you turned to use different functions... VSF600 or something had 4 heads!!

Found one on ebay! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-AKAI-VS-F600EK-professional-VHS-video-recorder-editor-working-JAPAN/114452827304?hash=item1aa5eb8ca8:g:hw8AAOSwumNff4j T

From experience,an excellent machine

kirstysdad

20-11-2020, 22:53

Yes, I remember the instructions that came with the Sony, it was like a phone book lol.

The actual remote control had pages! The instruction book was like the Sony's you describe. Don't think I got to read much of it before the machine was nicked...

Jac Hawk

23-11-2020, 16:38

I've read this thread with interest, back in the day 1990's i had an Akai VS A-650 which i used for recording my LP's onto as well as watching films obviously, i remember it gave far better SQ than the top of the line Akai cassette deck with the glass ferrite tape heads i had at the time, the good thing about the Akai VCR was that it had phono input and output and a variable phono out i had it hooked up to the stereo and was amazed at how good it was, i'm sure it had a half speed setting that apparently gave better quality recordings.