Redo VHS captures: VHS/DVD Recorder vs PC capture?

[StrikeX]

Back in 2009 I digitised my VHS tapes (SP) using a Toshiba DVR20 (the VHS/DVD combo recorder). I recorded from VHS to DVD, and more recently I ripped the DVDs to my PC, since DVDs aren’t really used anymore. I then processed the files in Hybrid, deinterlaced with QTGMC (Bob, Slow Preset), and saved the files in MP4 format.

After reading some threads here, I’m now wondering if it would be worth revisiting the project using a proper USB capture device (Pinnacle USB?) and capturing VHS directly to PC.

Would the quality improvement over my DVR20 captures be significant, or just minor - especially when watching on a TV?

If the gain is real (Like what?), I don’t mind redoing the work. But if the difference is small, I’ll stick with what I already have.


For reference, here’s the MediaInfo from one of the DVDs:

Video
ID                                       : 224 (0xE0)
Format                                   : MPEG Video
Format version                           : Version 2
Format profile                           : Main@Main
Format settings                          : CustomMatrix
Format settings, BVOP                    : No
Format settings, Matrix                  : Custom
Format settings, picture structure       : Frame
Duration                                 : 40 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Maximum bit rate                         : 9 282 kb/s
Width                                    : 720 pixels
Height                                   : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 4:3
Frame rate                               : 25.000 FPS
Standard                                 : PAL
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Interlaced
Scan order                               : Top Field First
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Time code of first frame                 : 00:00:00:00
Time code source                         : Group of pictures header
Color primaries                          : BT.601 PAL
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.470 System B/G
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.470 System B/G

[StrikeX]

Just to add (I can’t edit my post) - I used a VHS-C to VHS adapter and inserted it into a Toshiba DVR20

[mts1]

Welcome to the forum!

If you'll get the right equipment, you might get better colors, proper contrast and brightness, better detailing, less digital artifacts.
However, due to the age of your tapes, you might get more noise and more distortions.
So, if you want to give it a try, be ready to spend some time and money.

[timtape]

Without having access to samples of your original tapes, your DVD captures and your mp4 conversions it's very hard to say. This applies to both the picture and the sound.

If you squeezed say 3 or more hours onto a DVD it's likely the picture will have been visibly compromised. Normally at the DVD's maximum 2 hour rate the picture is much closer to the original tape picture quality.

[aramkolt]

Looking at the posted statistics at ~9Mb/s, that's pretty high as far as MPEG2 goes, so the quality should be pretty nice. The main thing you might end up avoiding with a lossless capture is pixelated/blocky artifacts, but if you aren't seeing much of those in your final result, then sticking with what you have is probably reasonable.

Pinacle cards aren't too expensive, so you could just get one and try it on one tape at first to know for sure.