VHS Hi-Fi instead of R2R or Cassette

[steerpike2]

VHS Hi-Fi possibly isn't really in the class of genuine hi-fi, as applied to most audio components. But compare it to the quality of a "normal" VHS machine, particularly at economy speeds, and the stereo-on-linear-tracks models, and it is an amazing achievement - even more so considering that it is fully backwards compatible with the VHS format as it was before Hi-Fi.

More incredible to me, is the VHS-C mechanism, with it's tiny head drum, that can write a dual-layer video + audio recording that is fully compatible with a full-size transport.
Sony did something similar with the creation of the BetaMovie - but I believe that could not play its own recordings.

 

[Copa1934]

Whatever. I used it for years with no issues, as have many others (more than I expected too). The idea of having hours of uninterrupted listenable music was a joy, to say the least. Beat cassette by a long shot, sounded better than many R2R's (and better specs than most at the time), was cheaper, at the time, than buying CD's. Recorded many a vinyl to VHS-HiFi. Stuff I wanted to listen to, not some DJ or radio listener.

If it weren't for our iPod (shared device), or Laptop, I would likely go back to using VHS.

 

[gewoonmaf]

No sound quality issues here... but my Sharp VHS was a pretty good unit at the time.

 

[Ed in Tx]

...And tapes won't interchange from deck to deck. VHS is very primitive in the tracking stability department...

You must have a bunch of VHS machines in need of proper alignment or with worn out parts! Interchange of tapes or transport stability is no more of an issue than with Beta machines.To me Beta has a longer, more complex tape path subject to tracking errors as things wear like the upper stationary part of the drum. I've seen a lot of those with the air bearing surface worn down slick causing stiction of the tape and tracking problems. Heads themselves still OK not worn out but the whole drum had to be replaced on those. Bummer for customer's wallet.

VHS Hi-Fi possibly isn't really in the class of genuine hi-fi, as applied to most audio components. .

20-20kHz freq response, unmeasurable wow and flutter, 70 dB or more apparent s/n ratio (when the compander is working with a quiet low switching noise floor), sounds pretty hi-fi to me!

 

[68custom]

this format was great for parties..truly set and forget. however was a PITA to try and find a certain song. pretty sure I later used my party tapes to record the simpsons! Doh..

 

[KentTeffeteller]

On tracking, I am discussing it as it relates to hi-fi or PCM audio on VHS. Not about tracking on the picture. Audio on VHS sans picture is what I am discussing. These machines are fine regarding maintenance. Ever try using most VHS machines with a Sony PCM-F1? Very few worked well with one. Newer high end VHS decks improved in that department but the VHS loading method is complicated relative to a Beta machine. And don't let me get started about Macrovision on VHS decks.

 

[steerpike2]

70 dB or more apparent s/n ratio (when the compander is working with a quiet low switching noise floor)

^^^That's always the iffy bit. Put no signal into it, the VCAs close and you have a really low noise floor. As soon as there's signal, and the VCAs open up, there's always that rattle of head switching noise. Makes a real mess of certain types of music that don't mask the noise well - usually solo instruments on classical pieces, or staccato arrangements where you can hear the compression/expansion working in the decay period.

I used & still do use the format a lot, but in my book, to be *true* "hi-fi", the above artefacts would have to have been eliminated on ALL program material.

I don't consider beating the performance of Compact Cassette a really great achievement - CC barely, or only just, makes it as hi-fi on the very best cassette decks.

Around 1992, Grundig had an SVHS machine that catalogued and indexed your entire tape collection in EEPROM - rather like Hard-disc recorders do now. It had a user-editable database of all recordings made & told you what cassette they were on, and would locate them when that cassette was loaded.

As far as I know, the PCM pseudo-video coders don't work on VHS because of its video noise reduction system - it has not so much to do with the VHS transport. The older the VHS machine, the better, because the older ones do not try to conceal or fix dropouts - which is what upsets the PCM systems error correction. Older VHS machines without auto-white-level also dont care a fignewton about Macrovision.