Converting video tapes to digital, picture not good?
 

Hey,

I'm tired of converting video tapes to digital and the picture no being very good - curved lines at the top, dropped frames, a black line on the left side of the screen. I just want to update my computer and try to fix this. It's been a while and I've been trying different things, but nothing seems to work.

I know we've talked before, lordsmurf, and I'm finally finished trying to cut corners. I have two nice VCRs, nothing special, but they play the tapes well. I just need to figure out what's needed for a video card in my computer, if another's needed, and what a decent TBC is. I see cheap prices for them, but whenever I see a cheap price, I'm 99% sure it doesn't change anything.

Right now, my computer has NVIDIA GeForce 8100 GS. Is that good, average or cheap? Does that need to be replaced, if I find a good TBC? And, what is a good TBC? I see them around, but really don't understand the differences between them.

By the way, I have 2 JVC HR-S3900U - nothing special, but they seem to play the tapes well.

Sean :question:

What capture card do you have now?
What sort of computer specs? OS?

TBC is a loose term, can mean almost anything. You need specific types of TBCs for conversion, not just any "TBC" you find.

Computer graphics cards do not matter.

There were no HR-S3900 units. Did you mean 3800?

Not sure
 

Okay, this is where I feel like a child, but I'm not sure.

I don't know of a capture card, unless it's in the PC.

I know your first response to this, but:
Windows 7 Profession
Service Pack 1

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4440 CPU @ 3.10GHz 3.10 GHz
8.00 GB
64-bit Operating System
No pen

As for the TBC, I have no idea what the differences are and that's why I got lost trying to figure everything out myself.

The VCRs are JVC HR-S3900U - Here's an example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-HR-S3900U-SUPER-VHS-S-VHS-SVHS-ET-VCR/323761260306?hash=item4b61acc712:g:sk8AAOxyCGNTMJ5 m

How are you plugging the video output from the VCR it into the computer? There are some graphics cards that have capture functionality, including NVidia ones, but most don't. I think the 8100 GS is a graphics card that's integraded on the motherboard, can't find anything about a version of it that has capture functionality. I think there were a handful of Geforce 8xxx ones that did, but probably quire rare, it was more common in earlier iterations.

I would presume there's a video capture card in your system somewhere, there were some pre-built "media center" systems that came with them. Is there a card on the back with an antenna connector?

The 3900Us should be decent VCRs, though they lack the extra TBC/video stabilization/image processing of the higher-end models.

Ahhh - I actually use a Dazzle to connect the VCR to the computer.

I expect I'm going to get a response - That's why the videos look bad!!!!

What kind of video card would you recommend?

I love the blue guy, but he frustrates me because he's too modest, careful about being accused of tooting his own horn to give the best possible buying advice. Buy from HIM! The only other person/company I would put my trust in is tgrantphoto.com (Deter) and possibly some of the longtime frequently correct advice members here or at videohelp.com

lordsmurf has everything you need, including a TBC here: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/marketplace/. Guaranteed tested and top quality, unlike 99.9% of anything you'll find elsewhere.

Yes, his prices are high, but as he says: "Use it, then resell it." If you say it was bought from him and gently used, you'll probably get the best price, at least here or at videohelp where he's well known and respected. Well, at least when he's not a grouch, which he's gotten better at! Hey...I can only bluenose the guy so much! :D Luv ya blue guy!!!! :salute:

Instruction Manual attached. Wonder what the "video stabilizer" setting really did?

All it does is flash at the begining. It doesn't change anything. I think that was part of their ad.