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  #1  
06-19-2025, 02:16 AM
Bester Bester is offline
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Hello digitalFAQ,

I have been lurking for a while now, looking at posts and watching YouTube videos (VideoCaptureGuide mostly). I have taken on the task of digitising old family tapes. I wouldn't say there was a lot, maybe not even 10 hours worth. I can get good results with the ION equipment I already have (details below) but I have the opportunity to spend a bit more now.

I am however limited to PAL and I am UK based. I have looked for an ATI TV Wonder 600 device but I had no luck evening finding one for sale. I also do not have a desktop PC so capture cards are not an option.

However, I do however have a very nice laptop (Clevo W870CU) with an ExpressCard/54 slot, running Windows XP (SP3) which I have already found much more stable than Windows 10.

Media:
VHS
Hi8

Hardware:
ION VCR2PC (Scart/RGB)
ION VIDEO2PC MKII

I am asking around my family for VCRs with S-Video out, bonus if they have built in TBC. I can update this post once I receive some model numbers back.

Software:
Video2PC Drivers v1.43.07.50
EZ Video Converter v3.0.18
VirtualDub 9.1.11
HuffyVF 2.1.1


You may have noticed some words above in Bold, these are recommendations I have already seen on this site. Often with reference to a LordSmurf. So thanks in advance!

QUESTION: I have tracked down a I-O DATA GV-USB2 or Hauppauge USB-Live2 for sale. Given my limitations (UK/PAL/Laptop), which would suit a quality workflow more?

Perhaps there are UK/PAL users on here who can offer alternative advice or even sell a better VCR...

Regards,
Bester

Last edited by Bester; 06-19-2025 at 02:34 AM.
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  #2  
06-19-2025, 02:47 AM
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lordsmurf lordsmurf is offline
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Welcome.

When you lack both line+frame TBCs in a workflow, those non-suggested Hauppauge Live2 and Japanese GV-USB2 entirely fall apart, unable to cope with bad timing. Even with TBC(ish) devices, like ES10/15, those give your grief. Those are not resilient cards, especially not that Live2.

Cards sold "new" on Amazon/eBay these days are just not great. (Note that I put "new" in quotes, because those cards are based on 10+ year old hardware designs, and were very unpopular at the time. This is because vastly better cards exists back then. Better cards are only used, so these "new" cards have "won" by being the last ones at the party. But drunk, and hugging a toilet.)

Certain Pinnacles are what you should seek (which is why I make those available in the marketplace, I try to make capturing easy).

Correction = Huffyuv (not HuffyVF)

I highly doubt a family members has a spare with-TBC VCR laying around. Those were not cheap low-end VCRs, then or now. Maybe a deck with s-video, but I doubt even that. Your best hope may be a Sony VHS VCR? No combo units.

Ideally, just buy a S-VHS VCR with TBC from VCRShop in Europe.
Get my Pinnacle.
With no frame TBC, cross fingers, pray. But for 10 hours, you may "get by with the skin of your teeth".

This is not an endorsement, but if you're unwilling to buy a quality VCR (with line TBC), and quality capture cards -- and that's ignoring frame TBC -- then just send the tapes somewhere. Either another forum member here, or Video99.co.uk (Colin). Preferably a UK member here, who has a proper JVC/Panasonic with TBC, frame TBC, and best capture card -- as I'm not sure Colin uses the best gear, off-hand.

- Did my advice help you? Then become a Premium Member and support this site.
- For sale in the marketplace: TBCs, workflows, capture cards, VCRs
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  #3  
06-22-2025, 03:57 AM
Bester Bester is offline
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Update: I have purchased a Pinnacle USB, PAL from Lord Smurf.

I forgot to add my Sony CCD-TR748E in my Hardware list.

My family members have got back to me regarding players:
  • Bush DVHRS02
  • Panasonic DMR-EZ47
  • Sony SLV-SE200
They appear to be basic VHS players, some have S-Video and other outputs like HDMI but not one match with the guide. I am on the lookout for something better. Unless anyone has some experience using them?

Last edited by Bester; 06-22-2025 at 03:59 AM. Reason: Spacing
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  #4  
06-22-2025, 04:45 AM
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lordsmurf lordsmurf is offline
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The "HDMI" is almost always internally composited first, so it's low quality output. It's mostly meant for the DVD/BD player output, not the old VHS tape half of the combo unit.

That Sony may not be terrible, but it must be paired with a PAL DVD recorder that has passthrough. I've long suggested the Panasonic ES10/15, and Panasonic is the only real choice in NTSC. But a certain Pioneer (I believe) is best in PAL land. There are some posts here by Bogilein discussing these models.

Still not better than actual S-VHS VCR with line TBC. For those, go to VCRShop.nl

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- For sale in the marketplace: TBCs, workflows, capture cards, VCRs
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  #5  
06-22-2025, 06:28 AM
Bester Bester is offline
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Amazing! It took a while but I found this post: https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vid...html#post61663

It seems ES10 comes out on top even for PAL land! That answers a post I created yesterday.

The Sony RDR-680, Sony RDR-870, Pioneer DVR-555 and Pioneer DVR-630 are listed as having "satisfying jitter correction (good enough for good tapes)".

Thank you Bogilein!

I will of course NOT be using the HDMI.

Looks like I am on the hunt for a ES10...

Last edited by Bester; 06-22-2025 at 06:31 AM. Reason: Added URL to Bogilein
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hi8, ion, pal, vhs, w870cu

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