pyle@ut-ngp.UUCP (07/02/83)
I have two VHS VCR's (no, I'm not rich; I just couldn't a respectable
offer for my old one when I bought a bells & whistle model) and have
copied tapes in order to edit out unwanted material on several
occassions. In general, I have had no problems in copying programs
from one to the other, but there are a few factors to keep in mind.
Copies will be of better quality when the original is recorded at a higher
speed, preferably the highest that your playback machine will handle.
The lower speeds tend to cram the video information rather tightly on
the tape with a resultant loss of playback resolution. If you then copy
(i.e., set the record machine) at a low speed, the loss of resolution
will be compounded to some degree. Generally, when I know that I will
edit a recording, I make the original at the SP speed (highest) on my new
machine to get the best possible recording. I play this tape back on the
older VCR and re-record and edit the program onto a tape in the new
machine. Thus, recording is always done on the "better" VCR. I make most
of my "permanent" tapes at SLP (slowest) speed and find little difference
between a copy and an original SLP recording.
I do find a quality difference depending on the method used to link the
two recorders. With my machines, both have direct video inputs and
outputs in addition to the modulated inputs and outputs. I use standard
audio cables to run the video output of the older VCR to the video
input (camera input) of the newer one. This is much superior to RF
out to RF in.
Keith Pyle . . .!decvax!eagle!ut-ngp!pyle
. . .!ucbvax!nbires!ut-ngp!pyle
pyle@utexas-11
Remember: Copying programs that are copyrighted is illegal. The Supreme
Court has not yet issued an opinion on whether copying for personal use
(without profit) is exempt.