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From: mth@ihnp1.UUCP (M. Horbal)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Questions on copying tapes
Message-ID: <408@ihnp1.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Mar-86 00:00:48 EST
Article-I.D.: ihnp1.408
Posted: Thu Mar 13 00:00:48 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Mar-86 05:44:34 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 37

Can any of you video wizards help me?

I presently have two VCR decks, a Panasonic VHS, and a Sony Beta, and am
interested in making copies of tapes from one to the other.  Neither of
the VCR is top of the line.  I recently made a few copies (beta->vhs)
with less-than spectacular results, although I used the highest speed.
The symptoms are a loss of sharpness, and what I would call a slight
"paint-by-numbers" effect, where adjacent areas of similar color seem
to blend into larger "blotches" of a uniform color.  This is especially
evident on people's faces, etc.  Now the questions:

1. What tape should I be using to get the best quality possible, and does
   virgin blank tape improve results?

2. What do "video-enhencers" at al do, and can they help? My better
   judgement says that you can't make something out of nothing, but ...
   Does anyone make a decent one? Any idea how much $?

3. The Sony does not have video or audio inputs, so the output from the
   Panasonic would have to be be modulated onto a VHF channel, e.g 3.
   I am assuming that I can still record on the Sony by connecting it
   to the Pansonic and pretending that it's a TV (TV/VCR switch set to
   VCR on the Panasonic).
   Assuming no losses anywhere else, how much would this extra modulation
   affect the quality of the copy?

4. Assuming the above can be resolved, which copy direction is preferable,
   beta->vhs, or vhs->beta?

5. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.  Feel free to respond either via this group, or directly.
-- 

				Mark T. Horbal IH1b230
				...ihnp4!ihnp1!mth
				(312) 979-3425