TBC-3000 causing lines and picture shift?
 

I have been using the DataVideo TBC-3000 for a while now, and for the most part it has been great. But it keeps having this recurring issue which introduces lines across the picture (most notably when something moves across the screen) It is very annoying, especially when i notice it on something i captured a while ago, then i have to go find the tape among hundreds, recapture that part then splice it in. This isn't ideal, so is there anyway to fix this issue?

Also a lesser issue is when i capture in full 720x576, the picture shifts and cuts off a slight portion on the right hand side. I have to capture at 704x576, just so the picture stays centre and doesn't cut anything off.

Here's some examples of the lines issue.

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/att...1&d=1706715513

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/att...1&d=1706715543

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/att...1&d=1706715544

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/att...1&d=1706715544

I now see this on one of my own TBC-3000 units. :(

I've had to set it to the side, use a different TBC. No idea yet.

I've now had two DataVideo TBC-3000s fail in the past year, and read about many more.

The DataVideos are starting to have brand-wide failures. We have TBC-1000 mostly figured out, thus also TBC-100. The 3000 shares components with all other models. So not good at all. Mass failures are probably eminent, as it was/is with TBC-1000, and was/is with AG-1980/1970 (and other Panasonic decks) before it.

Stay tuned. I'm looking into it with others.

Ah so it seems to be a wider issue with these units. I suppose age catches up with it eventually.

So even the TBC-100 is having similar issues? I suppose at this stage the best TBC to use would be the green box AVToolbox AVT-8710?

You're probably as relieved to find another person with this exact issue as I was. :salute:

I knew of other TBC-3000 issues, but I had not come across anybody else with this weird issue until now. For troubleshooting, are you opposed to send that unit somewhere? Now that we have two problem units, it will help trace.

Possibly, though not sure i'd be comfortable with sending something overseas that is now worth more than anything else in my room :omg:

If it makes you feel better, this is something I need help with myself. So I'll be shipping mine as well.

The key to shipment is quality of the box(es) and packing materials, and proper packing of the box(es). I write "(es)" because this needs to be double boxed, or sent in a very secure heavy-duty doubl/triple corrugated box. For these exact TBCs, sent alone, good large bubble wrap and good foam peanuts are required.

Heavy PSU not needed, just the black box itself.

UPS, signature required, insured. Not cheap boat rate with a postal service.

This isn't something I'm doing tomorrow, not something quick, so plenty of time here. Just keep on the lookout for a good box (or boxes), and proper packing materials. Set them aside for when the day does come. Within next 3-4 months.

I've seen this happen with my TBC-3000 as well back when I used it a bit, though since it crops too much of the right of the image and has a noise pattern if the brightness isn't turned down a notch I don't really use it anymore so I don't know how frequent it is.

If you are shipping yours somewhere, feel free to let us know if whoever you ship it to figures out whatever is wrong.

Oh is there someone who may be able to fix it? I'll definitely have a think about it, and gather some boxes and materials.

I should note this lines issue only happens maybe about once per tape (sometimes more) for about a second. So you've got to be looking out for it really. The shift to the right as hodgey mentions is always present. But capping at 704x576 fixes it.

Another issue that's cropped up is capturing through the second input, the picture goes black and white.

From web pictures, it looks like there are two versions of this box, From the inside, it looks like a lot of things can go wrong, Power supply issues, caps, cracked solder joints, lifting chips ...etc.

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/att...1&d=1707684426

https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/att...1&d=1707684065

There are actually at least 5 versions/generations, each with very different board and component layouts. .

Yep, that is the error entirely. :screwy:

Hmm.. That is likely a problem with the s-video ports. How does composite act?

Noted. Will keep in touch when the time arrives. :congrats:

You can try replacing all the capacitors for good ones like Nichicon, Panasonic or Wurth.

Ohright. Is that hard to do? Or could possibly get someone who specialises in electronics to do it.

Funnily enough i got the B Source working (as in it's in full colour now and not in black and white) and so far i haven't noticed this lines issue with this side, so it's probably the A Source side that's busted. The top row of proc-amp buttons isn't working either on that side.

Also i stand corrected on this, no matter what resolution you capture in it doesn't fix the picture shift. I thought it did as there was small black bars on either side, but comparing a capture without the TBC in the chain, there's still a sizable portion cut off.

I heard somewhere you can fix it with a screwdriver by turning the "yolk" inside. Whatever that means.

Master Tape, I would really like it if you could send your unit to KhAoS182.

See related: https://www.digitalFAQ.com/forum/vcr...bc-3000-a.html

Just to confirm, I'm seeing this on NTSC, and you're seeing it on PAL?

I can recap these if you are looking to do something like this within the USA, would charge something like $100 for the time involved plus $20 return shipping. I may have all the caps this needs, or I may need to order some from Mouser so I'd expect the turnaround time to be 2 weeks from when it makes it to me if anyone is interested, PM me. I mostly use panasonic and rubycon caps just because I trust their specs more than Wurth which seem a bit "too good" on paper for me to trust them. Anything should beat original caps though.

Can't guarantee the recap will actually fix the issue though since it's odd that it is so sporadic. Typically failing caps will be consistent in their issues once they are up to temperature or before they get up to operating temperature.

I'm from Spain, if it would be okay for you to send it to me I would be happy to replace the capacitors, I would charge you for the labor, the capacitors from Farnell and the return shipping. Cheers!

Thanks for the heads up LS. I'll look into sending it off to him. I would really like to get rid of these lines as they have been driving me mad lately. Seems to be happening more often.

Yes these are all on my PAL recordings.

Have sent you a message :congrats:

Keep me posted on progress. :)

@KhAoS182, will you be testing caps values, looking at board heating with the scope, etc, before repairs?
And again after?
I need to buy one of those temp cameras.

Yes, I can check the value of the capacitors, and for the thermal camera, I would have to ask if someone can lend me one, like the Seek Thermal for phones.

Just to give an update.. All the capacitors were replaced but unfortunately it didn't fix the lines problem. It did fix another issue i had where all the buttons weren't working on one side.

KhAoS182 did a tremendous job of replacing all the capacitors and highly recommend his services if you're in need of a recap job.

So in terms of troubleshooting for this unit, we now know it isn't the caps that is causing this problem.

:soapbox: :rant: :rage: :cry: :censor:

:pullhair: :wall1: :wall2:

:rats: :depressed:

<sigh>
<insert colorful censored words>

I was afraid of this. No, actually, not afraid ... I knew it. Some technical reason, some gut feelings. This is not a simple issue, we're all screwed.

I actually have a TBC-3000 that isn't showing these issues yet, but further testing needed. But my other pair both have it now. These have been set aside for more than a year now, and I've relied on my other units.

I need to do some more research, this story isn't over yet. :hmm: