Awful video capture

[ScarAce1989]

Okay. I just tried to digitalise a VHS for the first time. Just some testing first.
I must be doing something wrong because the capturing is awful. I didn't even set framerate and so on, just did a test.

The hardware I used is:
Philips VR1100
Elgato video capture

Software:
Virtualdub

I used multiple VHS so I should be something with the VCR or the capturing...

Can anyone explain me how this is so bad and more importantly how to fix this (if possible at all)?

Sample:
https://mega.nz/file/015TVZJR#9Ho0GZ...URvkDdzgLlcg1w

[dpalomaki]

Does the tape look OK when fed to a TV?

Add a TBC to the VCR output
Use a quality capture card (the Elgato is not one). See recommendations elsewhere on this site.

See https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vid...w-fix-vhs.html

[latreche34]

That's a VCR problem if all tapes exhibit the same behavior, Stop using immediately and get another one as it might be damaging the tapes as it plays them back.

[Tester]

I concur. That VCR could very well be feathering/scratching the tapes, by the looks of it!

[ScarAce1989]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpalomaki

Does the tape look OK when fed to a TV?

Add a TBC to the VCR output
Use a quality capture card (the Elgato is not one). See recommendations elsewhere on this site.

See https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vid...w-fix-vhs.html

Any recommendations on TBCs and capture cards?

[latreche34]

Neither TBC nor any capture card can fix a broken VCR.

[Tester]

And —perhaps more importantly— nothing "can fix" those tapes if feathered/scratched/wrinkled/chewed. So...

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

...Stop using [that VCR] immediately and get another one...

...or at the very least double-check that the tapes come out of that VCR unscathed.

[dpalomaki]

Forgetting capture for a moment Do tapes play/look OK when fed directly to a TV?

If all tapes look bad when the VCR is connected directly to a TV, the VCR is the problem.

If tapes look OK played directly to the TV the problem lies in the workflow which includes the capture card, lack of TBC, and perhaps some subtle issues with the VCR.

There are many threads here in recommended capture cards and workflows. Which capture card will in part depend on your existing gear (including the PC and OS), your budget, time you plan to invest in the project, and ultimate objectives including editing/restoration plans and distribution of the end product.

[ScarAce1989]

Will receive a JVC HR-S8600 tomorrow and try again.

With the JVC HR-S8600 does adding a Panasonic DMR-ES10 improve anything or not?

[latreche34]

It's tape specific not a general rule.

[ScarAce1989]

It was the VCR for sure.
Received the JVC HR-S8600 and video is okay.

Sample:
https://mega.nz/file/5xQWlYjJ#TviURU...sYzmQoCJuAQ3FQ

Current setup:
JVC HR-S8600
Elgato video capture

Software:
Virtualdub

How to improve the capturing quality?

-- merged --

I have a JVC HR-S8600 with line TBC. Does adding a Panasonic DMR-ES10 to the chain improve anything or not?

I’m also looking for a decent to good capture device. I have seen people mentioning these:
ATI TV Wonder HD 600 USB
Hauppauge WIN TV USB-Live2
I-O Data GV-USB2
AVerMedia DVD EZMaker 7
Tevion High Speed DVD Maker+

Are any of these useful?

Or any other suggestions?

[Tester]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarAce1989

...Does adding a Panasonic DMR-ES10 to the chain improve anything or not?

Asked and answered:

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

It's tape specific, not a general rule.

So... yes, it's better to have one of these around for the tapes that need it, in absence of a good-known frame TBC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarAce1989

...a decent to good capture device...

Plenty of info in these forums (and guides, tweaks). Anyway... the consensus here would narrow down your list to:

ATI TV Wonder HD 600 USB
Hauppauge WIN TV USB-Live2
I-O Data GV-USB2 — perhaps one of the best-behaved on modern systems (W10)

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarAce1989

I have a JVC HR-S8600 with line TBC. Does adding a Panasonic DMR-ES10 to the chain improve anything or not?

The 2nd line TBC in a workflow does nothing.
ES10 contains strong+crippled line TBC, non-TBC frame sync.

Line + frame TBC can be stacked -- and should be stacked. But not 2 line/field, not 2 frame. Stacking any video gear is generally not allowed whatsoever, either doing nothing, or making it worse.

The ES10 also has quality-harming affects, such as posterization and luma gain issues. Only use it when the net effect is improvement, not as a general use tool, such as fighting off nth gen VHS tearing.

[Tester]

But it can be beneficial if and when the JVC's TBC misbehaves for a given tape (and thus must be turned off)... couldn't it, LS?

[hodgey]

Yeah, the JVC TBC can be a bit hit and miss so it's useful to have an alternative for tapes where the JVC TBC ends up causing a lot of vertical jittering/jumping. It will also help give the capture card a stable signal to capture to avoid desync/frame drops etc.