Is a 6-head composite VCR better than a 4-head s-Video VCR?

Answer 1

In my opinion for the general application, the 4-head S-Video VCR will be slightly better, although most video is transmitted either through RGB (via SCART) or as composite via RF (antenna cable).

In general, S-Video eliminates some of the aches Compositve video suffers from - the way composite is encoded onto a single wire pair leaves artifacts (visual errors). S-Video somewhat alleviates that by keeping the color and brightness information separate. However, it does not necessarily improve picture quality to/from the VCR. The quality of the picture is dependent most heavily on the quality of video recorded on the tape, or presented in the video stream to be recorded. Also, tape quality affects stored video quality in general.

Also, since most VCRs connect using a SCART cable, the point of this question is moot - the VCR will send/receive its signals using the RGB standard.

If it does, however, come down to choosing between Composite and S-Video when it comes to recording video off of the TV, S-Video is a better option. S-Video provides better overall picture quality. Also, if I remember correctly, the tape has a standard speed regardless of the number of heads, so the only improvements to be gained from having more than two would be chiefly in the area of wear-and-tear of the head mount/spindle, and/or the strength of the signal. Also, I once had a two-head VCR which provided superb quality (at the cost of some image altering during playback).

It really comes down to how you intend to use it. If your pleasure is mostly watching rented movies, a 6-head is the way to go (VCR->TV will go through RGB anyway). If, on the other hand, you record a lot from your TV, I'd choose S-Video (TV->VCR will then have better quality overall).

The extra heads are for the special effects in playback such as slow motion, they play no part in the recording process.