Guide to using Worldwide Video Cassette Recorder

Q: What are the basics of using the Worldwide Video Cassette Recorder?

These are only the basic controls for the VCR. Refer to Samsung's Online Manual for more in depth instructions.

A: To copy a video from a foreign format, i.e. PAL, SECAM, etc., or to copy a video into another format then you must use two VCR's. The VCRs  pictured are in the LLRC lab behind the monitors station. The VCR on bottom is capable of converting video formats to and from other formats.

The VCR on top will only read videos that are in NTSC (American) format.
 

Note: The Face of the Samsung VCR simply folds down from the  top.

On the fold down face plate of the bottom VCR are the input and output format selection buttons. On the left is the input selection and on the right are the output selections. The auto  selection on the input buttons should always be selected.

Things to know before copying:
Recording happens in real-time. So when you start copying a tape it will take as long as the video is to copy it. A two hour long movie will take two hours to copy.

The table below shows the conversion ratios of American NTSC tapes to PAL/SECAM tapes. Under the type column it shows both the foreign tape and the American tape. i.e. E-180 tapes will convert, in SP mode, to T120 tapes. An E-240 will convert to a T160 in SP mode also.

 

Note: At slower record speeds you will lose quality in the tapes. The best speed is SP, but it will not allow for as much space on one tape as LP or SLP will. LP and SLP are lower quality than SP. (SP is the default setting on the Top Panasonic VCR)

To copy a video from a foreign format:
1. Place the original into the Samsung VCR. Place the blank into the top VCR.
2. Press the NTSC output button on the right side.
3. Press the record button on the top VCR once to record for 1/2 hour, twice to record for 1 hour and three times to record for 1 and 1/2 hours etc. Then press the play button on the bottom VCR.

EXAMPLES:

1. To copy an E-180 Foreign video tape into American format the best tape to use is a T120. In SP mode the video will allow for the same amount of video to fit on the tape. This will give you the best quality tape.

2. To copy an E-240 tape onto a T120 tape you must change the speed at which the tape records. This means you will change the speed on the top Panasonic VCR. Use the white remote control that is sitting on the shelf next to it and press the SPEED button located on the lower right side of the remote. Press it once to put the VCR into LP mode, press it again for SLP mode and again to go back to SP mode. So an E-240 tape will not convert to a T120 in SP mode. You must change the record speed from SP to either LP or EP. This will allow for more video to be recorded onto the tape. Remember: This will reduce the quality of the video! Try doing a 5 minute record test to make sure the quality isn't too low.

3. If you have a T120 tape and would like to record it onto a T90 or smaller tape then you must reduce the speed of the recording. Reduce it from SP to either SLP or LP.

4. If you have multiple T90 tape and would like to record them onto a single T120 tape then you must reduce the speed at which it records. Two T90 tapes will not fit onto one T120 tape in SP mode. Reduce the speed to either SLP or LP; this depends on the amount of video you wish to record. If you do not want all of what is on the tape then you may not have to reduce the speed.

If you have a long video and would not like to give up the quality of it when copying then you should consider copying half of it onto one tape and half of it onto another tape. This way you can record in SP mode.

If you would like to copy a video from NTSC into a foreign format you must contact either Doug Winther or a student tech, as it requires re-routing of cables on the back of the VCRs. If you have any other questions regarding any of the video copying process then don't be afraid to contact Doug, Cecil, a student tech or the lab monitor.