New capture project - help needed!

[James1]

All,

I’d like to kick-off a video capture project, but there is a snag…

… I have a number of camcorder VHS-C tapes which have been recorded in NTSC, but I am resident in the United Kingdom. That means that pretty much all of the commonly available VCRs are PAL.

From reading round the excellent FAQs on this site, I understand that having separate VCRs to capture NTSC or PAL tapes is the best way to go. However, as I am in the UK, importing an NTSC VCR is likely to be a problem.

For the purposes of practicality, it’s likely to mean that I am going to need a machine that can produce a “true” NTSC 3.58 signal (in addition to its usually used modes), before passing this through a TBC such as the Panasonic DM-Exx series and then capture.

I would like to capture the video in a good quality as possible in an uncompressed format, before cleaning the video up with filters etc.

Am I completely barking up the wrong tree? A couple of questions that I have after looking at what’s available on the big auction site have sprung to mind:

(i) Is composite video definitely what is required here when using an outboard TBC?
(ii) I’ve noticed a number of machines that can output an NTSC 4.43 signal (as opposed to a NTSC Playback on Pal TV), could this type of signal be fed to a TBC before capture?
(iii) Do I need to bite the bullet and import a “true” NTSC machine from the US or elsewhere?

I am not opposed to doing some servicing work (I have the equipment) and as mentioned, I would like if possible to obtain as high quality as possible (I’ve obtained and repaired a drum scanner from still image digitisation work previously).

Any tips, pointers, laughs, suggestions would be welcome – LordSmurf or other regulars, do you have any ideas?

Or, if there is anyone in the UK that does have a machine that can produce NTS 3.58 that is surplus to requirements, I would be interested to know!

Thanks for reading,

J.

[latreche34]

You need NTSC 3.58Mhz all across the board, S-Video is recommended even with TBC (not all TBC's are composite only). NTSC 4.43 aka PAL60 can be captured but you'll limit your options in capture card and TBC choices.

[James1]

Thanks. That makes sense, looks like there are a couple of options.

I suppose now I also need to think about getting a TBC, and that doesn’t appear that it’s going to be an easy task...

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

You need NTSC 3.58Mhz all across the board, S-Video is recommended even with TBC (not all TBC's are composite only). NTSC 4.43 aka PAL60 can be captured but you'll limit your options in capture card and TBC choices.