Capture interlaced VHS without workflow modification?
 

I am looking to capture VHS with the digital file Interlaced. Having a file as close to the original as possible.

A large master file is fine. Secondly a file that can be shared online (wetransfer) that retains the interlacing without any modifications will be a great option to have.

What would you suggest for these 2 files, and workflow.

CURRENT GEAR:
VCR (Sony SLV-R1000, Samsung SV-5000W for PAL, SECAM).

Panasonic DMR-es15

StarTech USB3HDCAP
Diamond Multimedia VC500

VirtualDub2

Yes, I am looking to upgrade my gear in time. Recommendations welcome.

That said, what settings and standards would you suggest for the 2 types of files that I would like for this project?

Thank You!

Proper capture is about having both:
- quality capture card that faithfully replicates values
- quality software, and with proper settings

What you have now is:
- VirtualDub2 incudes various errors, as it's based on the flawed capturing of the final official VirtualDub 1.10.x
- HD cards are infamous for making a mess of SD video
- VC500 has known issues, especially random AGC

So ... none of those. :unsure:

Swap VirtualDub2 for VirtualDub 1.9.x, but the inferior card is still an issue. Yes, you can capture with those cards, but the difference is that it will not be a "quality capture" (interlaced, proper original exposure/values, etc).

There are problems weaknesses here.

ES15 adds flaws, it's not a transparent item. If you're a total amateur home users, just wanting to archive a few tapes on the cheap, then it can do that. But if you have any quantity of tapes (including the home DIY'er crowd), or are serious about video (tape hobbyists), or are doing it professionally in any capacity (archivist, filmmaker, etc), then it's the wrong tool. More ideal is to acquire proper VCR with line TBC, not the duct-tape-and-chicken-wire type TBC of the ES15. Noting that actual pros do use ES15, but only in very specific uncommon situations.

That Samsung is such a horrible deck. I have one, but only for SECAM, PAL-M, and PAL-N. And it's only because I handle less than 1 tape per year of those formats, that I've not opted to upgrade if to Panasonic/JVC S-VHS VCRs capable with those formats (with or without line TBC).

Suggestions:
- get a new card (new to you, not "new new"), using VirtualDub 1.9.x
- you lack frame TBC, get one
- save that Samsung for SECAM only (unless you do a volume of work/hobby)
- get a recommended JVC/Panasonic type S-VHS with line for the PAL work, it will be night-and-day quality compared to that crummy Samsung

Capture all as lossless, and then use Hybrid to quickly encode the H.264/streaming version. I have a Avisynth template file that I use to quickly deinterlace, properly 4x3 crop overscan, then properly resize, and then let Hybrid chew through it quickly.

We can go over that later, don't want to get ahead of ourselves. Let's focus on the proper capture tools now, and then post-capture conversion copy next.

The SLV-R1000 is a prime example of a deck without a TBC that almost always adds top skewing/tearing to commercial tapes that other VCRs do not in my experience, so you'll probably find yourself wanting to use that ES15. StarTech USB3HDCAP I've seen pretty well reviewed as long as you are using the analog inputs.

Both the SLV-R1000 and the StarTech USB3HDCAP are on my list of devices to test. People are probably tired of hearing that by now lol

I forgot to discuss the NTSC VCR. :smack:

Yes, not a recommended deck.
But using ES15 is the wrong approach. It's like choosing a leaky boat to go fishing, and just patching the bottom with duct tape. That will only work for so long.

No.

Yes. :laugh:

Hi. Thank you.

In terms of capture cards, what would you recommend in place of the StarTech? To work with VirtualDub 1.9x?
Is there a USB card that you find preferable?

Lossless Capture to : Lagarith, UT Video Codec, Huffyuv? I have been using UT Video.

Standard advice applies here. There are specific version Pinnacle cards (not Dazzle!), ATI 600 USB and clones, and ATI AIW cards, all of which "just work" (and in quality). There are some lower-end "new" (2010s) cards on Amazon, but you get what you pay for (less problems than now, but not problem-free).

Aside: I have cards in the marketplace precisely because acquiring properly-working correct-model cards is a PITA. I try to be the "easy button" for our community (both members new and old). The few bucks I make from those is entirely sunk back into this site.

Use Huffyuv, the official non-hacked and non-MT version.
Use the Hofmand installers.

- Lagarith has byte encoding issues when used for capture (sometimes also just encoding), and it has more overhead anyway.
- Ut is the same, too much overhead.

Capturing is a per-core task, so modern may-core CPUs really don't help prevent dropped frames, if the cause is overhead-related. And certain codecs were not made for capture, only transcoding/encoding.

In terms of "salvage operation", forcing yourself to use your current gear, then
- the VCRs into ES15
- VC500 with VirtualDub 1.9.x
- praying (crossing fingers, salt over shoulder, whatever) to avoid problems, because problems are likely with such a setup; perhaps you can muddle through, perhaps not.

Thank you for the advice. It is helpful short term, and for upgrades coming up.