Go Back    Forum > Digital Video > Video Project Help > Capture, Record, Transfer

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
08-14-2020, 12:42 PM
justin81 justin81 is offline
Unconfirmed User
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 23
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Hi,

I'm transferring some tapes to digital for a friend. The tapes are of movies and TV shows he recorded off a premium cable channel (Cinemax) via a cable box back in the 90s. When watching the tapes, I've noticed an occasional "flash" in the picture that encompasses the entire screen. This flash lasts a second or less and occurs at random intervals maybe every 5 - 10 minutes. I was able to pause the VCR during the flash and what I'm seeing is the scrambled version of the signal.

Has anyone ever seen this before or know what causes it? I'm guessing it's something having to do with his cable box and the way the video was recorded back then. I see this on multiple VCRs and monitors, so I know it's not my equipment. Not to mention, the "flash" literally looks like analog cable scrambling that you would see if you tried to tune to a premium channel you didn't subscribe to.

It's just kinda weird. Any ideas?
Reply With Quote
Someday, 12:01 PM
admin's Avatar
Ads / Sponsors
 
Join Date: ∞
Posts: 42
Thanks: ∞
Thanked 42 Times in 42 Posts
  #2  
08-14-2020, 10:36 PM
lordsmurf's Avatar
lordsmurf lordsmurf is online now
Site Staff | Video
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,501
Thanked 2,447 Times in 2,079 Posts
Sample image needed.
Sample clip preferred.

Probably some sort of anti-copy issue, either at the cable company/box, or at the recording end. If at cable side, typical terrible scrambling setup. If on his end, a bad hack-y method is often to blame (illegal cable descrambler, cheap non-TBC doodad, bad VCR).

It's been a while, but yes, stuff like this was common.

What TV shows? TV/toons collector here.

- Did my advice help you? Then become a Premium Member and support this site.
- For sale in the marketplace: TBCs, workflows, capture cards, VCRs
Reply With Quote
Reply




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pre-recorded D-VHS tapes for sale [SOLD] latreche34 Marketplace 1 02-23-2019 01:01 AM
Betamax VCR problems playing pre-recorded tapes? digicube Capture, Record, Transfer 3 03-11-2017 08:32 AM
Modem lights are suddenly rapidly flashing/blinking; Is my computer being hacked? Sossity Computers 1 11-03-2011 07:26 AM
Weird dust on VHS tapes from smoker home mrwhitethc Restore, Filter, Improve Quality 14 07-26-2008 06:24 AM

Thread Tools



 
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38 AM