Can a capture from a VHS at DVD resolution be better than the original source?

[tafguy]

I was asking myself, technically VHS is 240x480 and DVD is 720x480 which has a
vertical resolution 3 times better. Assuming that the video bit rate is DVD long play
quality, I can see any gain from the original source except it seems better resolution though in
big rear projection. It may be better at higher bit rate.

[Potatophysics]

Well, your VHS tape video is ALWAYS going to be about 240x480 quality
no matter what you do to it. When you compress to MPEG2 you will probably
see a reduction in noise because the compressor in your pvr-250 is likely
throwing away the noise as part of the compression process.

Note that a reduction in noise is not the same as an increase in resolution.
The resolution may still be 240 by 480 but it may look better than the
original because some noise has been filtered out.

Your VHS tape might look worse if you capture it at a higher quality because
this will allow noise to creep in.

[Xleon]

The DVD video is only as good as it's source. The compression will add yet more degredation to the quality of the video. Granted, you could run some noise filters on it, but then you'll simply 'soften' the image.

So, in honesty, no, it won't look any better.