VHS - abnormal brightness
 

Hi

Using a Philips VR110/02 as my VCR and EZcap as my capture device and sometimes I get very high brightness that I can't seem to remove.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/5...1176172841.jpg
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9079/composite1.jpg

What is this weird brightness problem called and how can I fix it?

The EZcap device is the problem. Use something better, like the ATI 600 USB card. It has no such issues.
You also need a TBC in the hardware chain.

I'm european btw, so I see this will be pretty expensive :P Is it necessary to change VCR too? I was looking at a JVC HR-S9850EU which got S-VHS and TBC. I do have S-VHS tapes that we recorded long time ago on a Hitachi VM-S7200E which now is not operating, there is no power for it unfortunately.

~$587 + $34 + maybe some taxes here too.

I looked up about the TBCs and I saw you recommended the TBC-1000 to another from EU.

$480 + $276 for that one

I'm already at $1376, + the ATI600USB(unknown price) which right now is out of stock.
If the 600USB is not coming into stock soon, how is the ATI750USB?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Wonder_HD.html

I guess I have to pay the price if I'm looking for quality.

yes - you need a better VCR for sure.
the only thing that Phillips is good for is as a tape rewinder

you should be able to find a good vcr used on ebay or such for a decent price.
the Panasonic decks tend to be cheaper than the JVC's

the ATI600USB are not very expensive - around $50
if you cant find one i have one i can sell

I've gotten this artifact before even with a TBC. It was a unique situation though, I was playing back Betamax copies of a mid-90s Disney Macrovision protected VHS tape. Somehow the residual protection managed to trip up even the TBC!

I got one last week.
An S-VHS-ET tape in a Panasonic AG-1980P. No copy protection was present. It just reacted badly.

Found a good deal on a Philips VR1000, €175 ~ $232 (shipping included).
Other VCRs I looked at which were S-VHS and had TBC were well over $500 here. Definitely excited for this one!

the Phillips VR1000 is a rebranded JVC - it is a good deck

the ati 600usb goes for about 35-20usd on amazon, i just picked one up last week to replace my pos capture card and Im quite pleased once getting it installed and testing it out

I think I will go for a ATI 750 USB, what I have seen it does have RCA / S-Video which I will need, it is Win 7 compatible and I can buy it in the same order as the TBC-1000 to keep the shipping minimal.

What is your opinion on the 750?

the 600 is known to be good and the 650 is known to be bad
i have not heard much feedback on the 750

Hm, I'm a bit concerned about the TBC-1000 and EU standards. Is an adapter enough or do I need a transformer?
I want to make sure I don't destroy the TBC-1000 when I plug it in. It needs 120VAC 60Hz (Or does it work for 110VAC too for you?) while we use 230VAC 50Hz.

How many Watts does the TBC-1000 consume? I might need to talk to a local shop about it, they might be able to help me find the right equipment for it.

I got an answer from bhphotovideo, they said that they supply European customers with a world-wide power-supply (110-240VAC) so all I need is a plug-adapter :). They didn't mention about the frequency, but hopefully it says 50-60Hz on it(being world-wide it should be able to handle both frequencies). I have 0 experience using US stuff in EU so that's why I'm so worried.

I'm considering becoming premium member when I got everything up and running (it won't be until a few months though) I might need the extra help when it happens :P

Let us know how it goes. :)