Connect AJA Kona LHi to Super VHS?

[iurusan]

My Aja Kona is about to arrive. I'd like some explanation on how to connect it. I have a Super VHS. Do I take an S-video cable to the TBC, right? Then an HDMI to the HDMI splitter, and from there another HDMI to the Kona? Why, for example, can't the Super VHS be connected directly to the Kona? It doesn't have an S-video input, right?

[ge0dude]

I don't own an Aja card myself, but from what I have gathered it does have an s-video input, it's just split between two BNC inputs. You'll want to connect your s-vhs to your TBC through s-video, then s-video again from your TBC to your Aja Kona LHI. You'll need an adapter like the Extron 26-353-01. (s-video to dual BNC.)

Good luck!

Edit: you'll need a TBC in between so you wont have any dropped frames, I imagine the aja is probably pickier about source signal than some of the suggested capture cards.

[iurusan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ge0dude

I don't own an Aja card myself, but from what I have gathered it does have an s-video input, it's just split between two BNC inputs. You'll want to connect your s-vhs to your TBC through s-video, then s-video again from your TBC to your Aja Kona LHI. You'll need an adapter like the Extron 26-353-01. (s-video to dual BNC.)

Good luck!

Edit: you'll need a TBC in between so you wont have any dropped frames, I imagine the aja is probably pickier about source signal than some of the suggested capture cards.

But the TBC is the typical Panasonic DVD that they recommend here, so it doesn't have S-video, it should be via HDMI, right?

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iurusan

But the TBC is the typical Panasonic DVD that they recommend here, so it doesn't have S-video, it should be via HDMI, right?

HDMI is never suggested. HDMI involves processing (usually lossy), and can really harm VHS signal quality.

[ge0dude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iurusan

But the TBC is the typical Panasonic DVD that they recommend here, so it doesn't have S-video, it should be via HDMI, right?

The typical Panasonic DVD Recorder recommended around here is the Panasonic DMR-ES10 and DMR-ES15. They both indeed have S-video out. Also keep in mind it is mainly a Line TBC, you'll still need a frame TBC to prevent dropped frames and keep the sync. If you tell me your budget I can make suggestions.

[iurusan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ge0dude

The typical Panasonic DVD Recorder recommended around here is the Panasonic DMR-ES10 and DMR-ES15. They both indeed have S-video out. Also keep in mind it is mainly a Line TBC, you'll still need a frame TBC to prevent dropped frames and keep the sync. If you tell me your budget I can make suggestions.

apart from the panasonic, is there anything else needed?

[ge0dude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iurusan

apart from the panasonic, is there anything else needed?

Sure let's go through the whole chain.

S-VHS Player > S-video cable > Proper Panasonic DVD Recorder > S-video cable > Frame TBC > S-video to dual BNC adapter > 2 BNC cables > Aja Kona LHI Breakout Box > AJA Breakout Cable(s) > AJA Capture Card > Computer

So that should cover all the physical hardware you need. Keep in mind if you're using any random S-VHS VCR it may not look as good as it could, but if this is your budget setup, work with what you can of course.

Edit: if you read this within the first 30-45 seconds of me posting it was missing information, please re-read.

[iurusan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ge0dude

Sure let's go through the whole chain.

S-VHS Player > S-video cable > Proper Panasonic DVD Recorder > S-video cable > Frame TBC > S-video to dual BNC adapter > 2 BNC cables > Aja Kona LHI Breakout Box > AJA Breakout Cable(s) > AJA Capture Card > Computer

So that should cover all the physical hardware you need. Keep in mind if you're using any random S-VHS VCR it may not look as good as it could, but if this is your budget setup, work with what you can of course.

Edit: if you read this within the first 30-45 seconds of me posting it was missing information, please re-read.

I have doubts about this, can you show me images of what they look like? pls: Frame TBC > S-video to dual BNC adapter > 2 BNC cables > Aja Kona LHI connection box > AJA connection cable(s) > AJA capture card > Computer.

[ge0dude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iurusan

I have doubts about this, can you show me images of what they look like? pls: Frame TBC > S-video to dual BNC adapter > 2 BNC cables > Aja Kona LHI connection box > AJA connection cable(s) > AJA capture card > Computer.

Sure, I won't send a picture of the Frame TBC since that could be a variety of objects. But here is a picture of the adapter:
https://media.extron.com/public/prod...bncfead-lg.jpg

Here is a picture of a 75 ohm BNC Cable, of which you'll have 2:
https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/files/3...b5eae97513.jpg

Here is an ad with the appropriate pictures of the KONA LHi breakout box (KLHi-Box) and its appropriate cables.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226834489520

And then of course the Kona LHI card itself, which is installed in your computer.
https://www.aja.com/assets/images/pr...i_workflow.jpg

I hope this helps! Good luck feel free to ask more questions.

[lordsmurf]

I would start over with another card, there's no benefit to these AJA cards for consumer analog sources (VHS, etc), especially not for PAL.

You're headed down a path that will bring lots of grief. I'm trying to save you from this.

I've seen this scenario far too many times over the decades. It always ends in the video not getting converted. Or the person gives up trying to do good work, and instead goes the opposite route, using Easycaps and making terrible quality conversions. The main cause is always money or stubbornness.

Add a better/easier card to use, add a frame TBC, and off you'll go, converting video with quality and ease.

[iurusan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

I would start over with another card, there's no benefit to these AJA cards for consumer analog sources (VHS, etc), especially not for PAL.

You're headed down a path that will bring lots of grief. I'm trying to save you from this.

I've seen this scenario far too many times over the decades. It always ends in the video not getting converted. Or the person gives up trying to do good work, and instead goes the opposite route, using Easycaps and making terrible quality conversions. The main cause is always money or stubbornness.

Add a better/easier card to use, add a frame TBC, and off you'll go, converting video with quality and ease.

I have already bought it

[ge0dude]

If you already bought it and you bought it complete (with breakout box and cables) then you can follow the information in this thread to make it work with Virtualdub.

If you don't have experience modifying windows file systems/registry this might be a bit of a bother for you.

I still defer to LordSmurf's experience as far as the easiest route that most people will be grateful and happy for. But if you proceed with this route, know there is very little documentation out there regarding VHS capture and the KONA LHI, though I have seen some good captures made with them.