Capturing Betacam SP tapes?

[lordsmurf]

FYI: Any work I did on these formats was with equipment that was provided to me; they owned the decks.

I didn't want to do the projects, and I was uncomfortable with the format and hardware. However, it was essentially identical to any other analog tape workflow. The output was the annoying part, but I just do not remember what I had to use. This was 5-10 years ago for me. Fairly certain BNC was involved. In fact, I think it was the first time I'd seen BNC s-video (yet not actually separated s-video).

Working with SDI sucks. I'd stay away from that, not make your non-pro/non-live projects overcomplicated.

The Sony J-30 looks nice, compact, dirt cheap (~$1k). Note the handle on the side of the unit. This was a portable.

The Sony UVW-1400/1800 looks nice, also cheap.

Beware of eBay. About 80% of all VCRs are crap, not working, even if claimed otherwise (including "tested"). Those are real stats, too, not pulled-from-air numbers, been doing research with others.

[koberulz]

So I should use SDI, and also I should avoid SDI. Righto.

[msgohan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

Working with SDI sucks. I'd stay away from that, not make your non-pro/non-live projects overcomplicated.

Explain. The only issue I've had is the same as with HDMI capture: some card(s) manipulate the video rather than just passing it through as-is.

[lordsmurf]

Uncompressed (SDI) = huge files = not fun to work with

[NJRoadfan]

SDI is "must have" only if the tapes were originally digital. With Betacam SP, things have gotten easier with the proliferation of component capture cards. SDI doesn't have to be captured uncompressed. If the capture card supports DirectShow, you can use HuffYUV and other lossless codecs.

[koberulz]

Well, I'll leave you three to talk about it, and come back when you've reached a decision.

[JVRaines]

I picked up a UVW-1200 (player only) for $100 on eBay and lucked out. Had only 10 hours on it. A little cleaning and lube and it works great. It has an s-video mini-DIN on the back.

[juhok]

UVW-1200 with 10 hours is unlikely. The battery for the meter runs out at some point. But if it works it works. I've had 3 different generations of BetacamSP. UVW-1200 is the cheapo light model of the latest generation. Picture quality is not as good as with the broadcast models but it's ok.

BetacamSP component is very easy to capture with 100€+ Blackmagic card for example. Output is clean, no need for all the crap we have to deal with with VHS etc. If using Blackmagic, there's an option for "Betacam levels" too.

[koberulz]

I do have an Intensity Shuttle I use for capturing from my cable box. But I can only capture MJPEG through that, which is wreaking havoc with those captures even outside of compression issues with restoration.

[juhok]

Intensity Shuttle is lossless capture device. MJPEG is used by the software. Try different capture software. VirtualDub has worked fine for me with BM.

[JVRaines]

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhok

UVW-1200 with 10 hours is unlikely. The battery for the meter runs out at some point.

Yes, it is. But the machine had no sign of wear inside and I believe meter values are stored in unpowered EEPROM. The UVW series has a luminance bandwidth of 4 MHz, which is 0.2 MHz shy of broadcast quality. Obtaining a 4.5 MHz BVW deck in good condition, however, is an expensive proposition these days.

[koberulz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhok

Intensity Shuttle is lossless capture device. MJPEG is used by the software. Try different capture software. VirtualDub has worked fine for me with BM.

Did it? I have vague memoreis of trying that and not having much success. The software it comes with can allegedly capture uncompressed, but it requires a really high disk speed and I'm not sure how to obtain that.

Can you explain the 'betacam levels' thing?

[juhok]

VirtualDub can use lossless codecs which will give smaller filesize.

Intensity doesn't support Betacam levels. I made the assumption that Decklink and Intensity share the same settings, sorry about that. It might not matter anyway because:

Quote:

Originally Posted by https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1671

Keep in mind that the audio input on the Intensity is unbalanced and the audio output on the deck is balanced so you will have to use a Balanced to Unbalanced converter for this. Also make sure the deck is set to output SMPTE video and not Betacam since the intensity doesn't have the "use betacam levels" option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmagic manuals

SMPTE Levels - Betacam Levels
SMPTE levels are more common and even Betacam SP decks can use SMPTE levels, so only switch this to Betacam if you are sure that Betacam levels are being used.

[koberulz]

I'm aware VirtualDub can capture losslessly, I've captured VHS tapes that way. I just remember trying VDub with my Intensity Shuttle and it not working, although I don't recall the specifics. Might have to set it up and give it another shot.

[koberulz]

If I select the BlackMagic device under 'Device' in VDub, then go to 'Video->Video source', it merely lists 'No video sources'.

[juhok]

After choosing Direct Show there's nothing in "Video source" with Decklink either. Doesn't need to be. Capture works without.

[juhok]

Attached you find the relevant parts of my setup. YMMV.

[koberulz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhok

After choosing Direct Show there's nothing in "Video source" with Decklink either. Doesn't need to be. Capture works without.

Do you also have no preview? Not sure how I'd start and stop capture at the appropriate time...

[juhok]

There is preview when there's signal (and all input settings are correct and matching in Blackmagic Control Panel and VirtualDub). I don't have Intensity at hand so I can't help further. Many people use it with other than Blackmagic's software so it just needs some tinkering. Good luck.

[koberulz]

Nope, can't get it to recognise the Shuttle at all. I select 'Blackmagic WDM Capture' as the capture device, but it lists no video or audio source, there's no preview, and most of the menu items are greyed out.