Adjust contrast levels in post, re-capture needed?

[atab]

Hey all, first time poster.

I'm using VirtualDub 1.10.4 for capturing.

Capture card: StarTech SVID2USB232
VCR: Originally was using a Panasonic PV-V4521 but I got a new Samsung SV-5000W (good deal off FB marketplace) because I had a lot of tapes of unknown format (PAL, SECAM, etc...).
I know the equipment isn't ideal but I can't afford much else (unemployed masters graduate).

Almost all of the tapes I'm capturing were made on various camcorders between 1995-2004. I know one of the cameras was a Sony CCD-TRV11, but there could have been others.

I've been capturing old family VHS tapes recently and upon review, a lot of the whites seem blown out / too bright. I looked at the histogram today and saw a bizarre pattern (see attachment). Once I adjusted the contrast it was a continuous pattern and looked fine.

So it turns out my contrast settings were left at default (32), which would explain why the whites are way too bright for some of the captures. Some of the tapes are fine (although I feel like they may deserve a re-visit now). Most of these are outdoor scenes. When I adjusted the contrast to a lower value (20) the whites looked a lot better.

I know colors are easier to adjust in post, but how about the contrast? Or would it be better to re-capture these tapes? (I feel like the answer is to re-capture already lol).

[lordsmurf]

Histograms are not religious text, to be followed faithfully "or else". An actual video sample should be used for primary judgment. The 'graphs/'grams are just to assist in visual tweaking.

However, I will say this: that's a lot-end card, and those are literally two of the worst VCRs made. Without even seeing a capture clip, I can't imagine those are at all good. Muddy badly-exposed video is expected.

And by "contrast", you probably mean exposure (jargon: luma values).

[atab]

Unfortunately I don't have the equipment to identify if the quality is due to the VCR quality, recording camera quality, or degradation of the tapes (The best I have now is comparing across both my VCRs). It makes it hard to identify without spending the money first, which I don't have right now. My guess is the tapes were made on camcorders then copied onto VHS tapes by cheap services over 20 years ago (often into montages with various quality of scenes). Often stored in questionable conditions (thankfully no mold). A mix of SLP and EP as well. I'll try to get a couple short captures tomorrow for comparison.


Regarding contrast, I was referring to the options/sliders given in Virtualdub. But agreed, exposure would be a better way to describe it.

[lordsmurf]

The VCRs definitely cause some loss. That Samsung deck especially sucks, I still have one.

Ouch, VHS copied to VHS -- aka "nth gen" -- gets ugly fast.
EP/SLP is worse yet.

With this sort of tape, in those extended modes, the VCR becomes especially important. Low-end decks add noise and problems to already-fragile quality.

I would wager as much as 50% of your image clarify is from the VCR, from composite (which both have, no s-video on either), from the lower speed modes, and from the capture card.

That exact Startech is a typical cheap USB card, and has exposure issues. Not too different from Easycap/Elgato cards (aka Easycrap/Elcrapo, earned nicknames!).

So that's why.

I know it doesn't solve the situation (that will require different/better hardware), but at least this is confirmation of your suspicions.

[atab]

Yeah, errors all around. It's like playing diagnostic whack-a-mole.

I have probably another $140 USD I can throw at any possible upgrades for now (would really prefer not to, but I also would really prefer not to digitize 30-40 tapes repeatedly). I need to digitize some of these VHS tapes within a month or two (for eldery grandparents). I'm not against shelving these tapes afterwards until I have the financial security that would allow for better equipment, but that's not a controllable variable.

Would there be any not-awful upgrades for my current setup that would give me slightly better captures in the meanwhile?

On local groups I can sometimes find low end S-VHS VCRs (ex. I just saw a JVC HR-S2912). However from my understanding the difference with S-VHS is the chroma and luminance info is on sep. channels vs mashed together w/ composite.

Not sure if there's a better capture card that's w/in my budget. (Not even getting into TBC for now). It seems like most capture cards aren't great until a certain price point, which may be out of my budget.

[lordsmurf]

Your plan is good. Immediate capture in "whatever quality I can get", but shelve for later quality (because later in life, you'll appreciate it, as will your kids).

$140 is tight.

The #1 issue here is lack of any TBC. So, to that end, get a Panasonic ES10/15 type recorder. (Not just any random Panasonic, but certain models, mostly ES10 or ES15, maybe ES25. Canada? Add ES16 to the list.)

That will eat up about $100. (Units can be half as much, or twice as much. ES10/15 are mostly about the random number the person wants for it, not actual market pricing.)

The capture card is not great.

Ideally, I'd discount one of my cards to $150 for you, but then you won't have any TBC still.

If we try to go by your $140 budget, we're at $40 after the ES10/15. With only $40, I'd look at the SVID2USB2 (you have the SVID2USB23). But it's a gamble, because the "2" card has versions, and could end up being no better than the "23" you have now. See also this post/thread. Right now, on eBay, I see a boxed version, but it assumes that's the original box (not a random "replacement"). I'm not even 100% sure the box matters to versions here. I hate to see people gamble, but that's what happens when you have a tiny budget, unable to buy the sure thing.

JVC S-VHS upgrade is ideal, but the ES10/15 line TBC(ish) matters more. The line TBC may correct some issues, and the output from it is s-video.

An ideal budget/not-awful would look like this:
- capture card from me, $150
- local Facebook low-end non-TBC JVC S-VHS, hoping it works, $100-ish
- probably ES16 from eBay Canada, or local FB, maybe another $100.

So $350 gets something that doesn't suck.

That's an insanely tight budget, with passable not-crap quality output. And yet, you'll probably see it as lightyears beyond what you have now. (And then know it can get better yet, later, with actual investment in gear. Noting that the "investment" can be quite temporary: buy it, use it, resell it.)

Shipping/taxes not include in those numbers.

[atab]

Thanks for the offer. When I have the means I'll look into a better capture card + TBC. Will keep your offer in mind.

The TBC seems like a decent upgrade in regard to affordability.

Speaking of better VCR's, I sometimes look at FB marketplace just to see if I can find a deal. I noticed a JVC HR-S9500U on a local FB marketplace post for $415 USD. I'm not sure what the going rate is usually for these higher-end VCR's, but is that considered a decent price? I find it hard to find good estimates for prices lol.

My plan is to eventually sell the equipment I have. Possibly recoup some costs by doing digitization for friends (although I wouldn't be happy giving them poor quality tapes, maybe justifying future upgrades)