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-   -   What is a TBC? Time Base Correction for Videotapes (https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-restore/2251-tbc-time-base.html)

lordsmurf 06-19-2010 06:31 PM

What is a TBC? Time Base Correction for Videotapes
 
Timebase Corrector (TBC) FAQ

A 'timebase corrector' or 'time base corrector' -- often simply referred to as a 'TBC' -- is a device that corrects the signal and/or image quality of video tapes, especially VHS and S-VHS tapes. By the most basic definition, video is input into a buffer, and then it is corrected before being output again. However, the term "TBC" is often used so loosely, that it seems any type of "correction" can apply. There is no universal or standardized definition, so product makers can get away with calling anything a TBC. Sometimes I wonder if my toaster has a TBC.

The best way to define a TBC is by empirical analysis of devices that exist, and claim to have a TBC inside, and analyzing what they do.

Quick link: Listing of popular and commonly available TBCs; includes pricing and misc usage notes.


Standalone, External Full-Frame TBC:

A good recent-era standalone external time base corrector will:
  • reduce visual on-screen image jitter (mild up/down image bounce)
  • overwrite "dirty" signal areas with new clean ones --- understanding these areas are often used by anti-copy, which of course is an artificial video error -- and understanding this is not going to visually improve the signal, but rather only prevent image quality issues (as seen on a TV or capture device) caused by false detection of anti-copy, such as Macrovision
  • and provide a steady signal that prevents dropped frames on capture cards, or premature recording stop on DVD recorders
A standalone TBC will generally not clean up visual image quality, such as removing chroma noise or suppressing visual distortions (excluding mild vertical jitter/vibration). Clean-up features of this nature are generally found only in high-grade modern broadcast TBCs that price well into the 4-digit range, from companies such as Leitch, DPS or For.A.

Good standalone TBCs include:
  • AVToolbox AVT-8710 aka Cypress CTB-100. Note that only the green unit is good, not the current black unit, due to well-documented flaws. As of 2018, Cypress TBCs will be discontinued.
  • DataVideo TBC-1000, TBC-2000, TBC-3000, TBC-4000, TBC-100 (PCI). All are currently discontinued models.
You would do best to avoid old user TBCs found on eBay and other places -- many ancient 80s/90s TBCs work different than the ones specifically suggested here. Most ancient "big Bertha" rack-mounted units existed before the age of tape-to-digital conversion (example: VHS to DVD), and were created for entirely different workflows. Generally speaking, these older TBCs don't work as well the modern non-rack boxes, when the workflow is converting consumer tapes to digital formats. Those are geared more towards U-matic, Betacam SP, and other broadcast/professional formats of that era.

Update: After reading this first post, scroll further down the page, and read extended information in post #3, concerning current standalone TBCs.
Addendum: If you're looking for repair information on the AVT-8710 (aka CTB-100) units, a photo gallery of images is at http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...-8710-tbc.html ... it shows both the inside components, and shots of the power supply specs. The images come from a known-working unit with zero flaws.


S-VHS VCR Line TBC:

Found in commonly suggested VCRs, but unlike the standalone TBC, this type of timebase corrector will:
  • NOT give a continual clean signal out from the VCR
  • NOT remove anti-copy signals, by replacing those often-dirty areas with new clean data
  • NOT help much with vertical "picture bounce" jitter -- in fact it can sometimes increase the amount of jitter
What it will do, however, is clean the visual quality, by:
  • removing or reducing chroma noise (the red/blue colored mist found in all VHS tape formats)
  • removing geometric distortions from the image, such as the wiggling appearance of older video, as if viewed through a rippling pond or bathtub (aka "horizontal" jitter)
Very often VCR TBCs are merged with embedded noise reduction circuits, which use the power of the TBC to further suppress or remove grain and prevent color bleeding. For example, the DNR/TBC unit found inside the higher end JVC S-VHS and D-VHS professional and prosumer VCRs.

The quality of the TBC really depends on the model and line/series of the deck. In many cases, the oldest "professional" VCRs (used in studios and hospitals) are worthless crap, as compared to late 90s and early 2000s professional and prosumer models that work much better. The older VCRs were geared towards recording quality, while the latter generations of VCRs were made with playback in mind, especially that of analog-to-digital conversion workflows.

A trivia worth mentioning is that the Panasonic AG-1980P comes with a "full field" TBC, which is not the same as a full-frame TBC. It's more like multiple lines of correction, instead of single-line correction. However, it is not superior (simply due to having extra lines) to the single-line TBCs found in the higher-end JVC S-VHS VCRs. JVC and Panasonic are fairly identical in TBC performance, with the main differences in these VCRs being the transports, and how each reacts to tapes (based on the recording mode and content of the tape).


DVD Recorder 'TBC':

This is where we start to enter the land of "it's a TBC because we wrote it on the box". In many cases, the "TBC" is nothing more than a basic frame sychronizer, or circuitry that provides a similar function. Several manufacturers have referred to such circuits as a "virtual TBC"; however that's misleading, as it's not really a time base corrector, and arguably not even close to it.

Most DVD recorder 'TBCs' will do next to nothing (or outright nothing) in terms of visual cleaning or signal cleaning in a positive way.

At most, some DVD recorder "TBCs" have a unique ability to removing tearing (sometimes called "flagging" because the video waves like a flag in the wind). That's the error that can sometimes be seen on the top of a VHS signal, a visual distortion on the uppermost portion of the screen, due to a severe timing offset of the frame. The most famous DVD recorders capable of doing this as the Panasonic DRM-ES10 and DMR-ES15, which are also discontinued and only available via eBay, Amazon or this site's Marketplace forum. You'll have to disable the VCR TBC, as well as remove the external TBC from the workflow, in order to benefit from this feature.

You may want to read this: An advanced definition of video tearing.

Unfortunately these tearing-fixing DVD recorders often have bad capture/recording quality, so you'll want to use it in "passthrough" mode. This means you feed a signal into the DVD recorder, and then output it to a better capture device downstream. It is not used for recording. You can usually re-add the standalone TBC after the DVD recorder, because it's still not necessarily the best analog signal yet. Remember, it's not a true TBC. Only a few select models have this unique passthrough ability. The Panasonic "ES" series from 2005-2006 is known for this (ES10, ES15, etc). The Panasonic DMR-ES10 is suggested and is still sometimes sold used/refurbished at Amazon for a about ~$200.

Some DVD recorders have digital noise reduction (NR) -- integrated into the processing circuit (which include the "TBC"), like S-VHS VCR TBCs and their integrated NR circuitry -- but it can be overly strong. The ES10, for example, over-processes the video with or without the NR feature engaged, causing temporal blurring/ghosting and posterizing/banding the video (compressed color palette). Turning on the NR feature makes it stronger. For this reason, the ES10 is not suggested for use as a TBC replacement, but simply as a box used to address this specific tearing error. Remember that the goal of restoring video is to make it better, not make it perfect. Compared to tearing, overdone NR is the lesser of evils. But when the video has no tearing, no need to introduce other flaws.


DV Converter Box 'TBC':

Even worse than DVD recorders, the so-called "TBCs" found in DV converters generally do nothing to help with your video or signal quality.
  • By design, these TBCs are supposed to act like a DVD recorder frame synchronizer, very mildly correcting the input signal stability, just good enough to be captured without dropped frames. More often, however, the TBC/frame sync is erratic, and will still choke on really bad frames or non-video data, resulting in a recording with lots of flaws and errors that have to be edited out later. Non-video data includes glitches in the recording, blue screens, static/snow between clips, VCR menus, etc. Significant frame "bouncing" is common for several frames when the video resumes, after a really bad frame or snow/static frame. The buffers are poor, as compared to an external TBC.
  • In others cases, the TBC does nothing at all.
Canopus and DataVideo DV converters both claim to have TBC functionality. Sellers of this hardware have been known to wildly exaggerate the timebase correction abilities of DV converters (DV bridges), going so far as to lie to customers, by insisting a Canopus ADVC-100/ADVC-110 can replace a TBC. Complete poppycock!

The Canopus ADVC-300 is commonly propagandized by the manufacturer and sellers for being a box that will make your video perfect. However, it is no more or less special than any other DV converter, as observed by users. In fact, in many cases, the performance of the ADVC-300 was very poor according to users (as proven with comparison clips), due to significant overprocessing of the video. The best quality was achieved by turning off all the expensive filters.

Keep in mind that these DV converter boxes are from the era of the Pentium III computer. Literally the technology of the late 1990s and early 2000s, before it was possible to easily achieve high quality uncompressed and lossless AVI capturing, as well as MPEG-2 capturing. If you still insist on using one of these DV boxes, the ADVC-300 is available used from Amazon for about $400 or eBay or our Marketplace forum.


Conclusion


The best advice is to stack a good S-VHS VCR (with TBC), with an external standalone frame sync TBC, to take care of both image/visual and signal quality. If you use a DVD recorder or DV box further down the line, so what -- forget it has a TBC. Or rather, forget "TBC" was written on the box.

Also...

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johnny aussie 07-25-2011 11:56 PM

http://on2dvd.com.au/desktop-video/v...a-compact.html 404 link!

would this be a good unit its five dollars less the the other non datavideo unit mentioned above.
It seems to have a solid case that should aid in the heating problems these unit have???

lordsmurf 08-22-2011 08:55 AM

7 Attachment(s)
Hi Johnny, welcome to the site. :)

To answer your question (about the linked 1T-TBC), plus add more details to this TBC FAQ thread...

Cypress Technology and DataVideo are the two primary TBC manufacturers with low-cost external timebase correctors with frame synchronization. "Low cost" meaning the TBC is less than $1,000, with many Cypress and DataVideo models sometimes pricing in the $500 range.


DataVideo

DataVideo products are used to be easier to find, and are only sold under the Data Video name brand.

At one point in time, DataVideo had several models available
- TBC-100, a PCI slot card, molex powered
- TBC-1000, a TBC-100 PCI card married to a VP-299 distribution amp <<< popular model!
- TBC-2000, a 1990s version of TBC-3000
- TBC-3000, dual-channel, essentially two TBC-100s in a single board, with proc amp
- TBC-4000, quad-channel, essentially four TBC-100s, but using a 4-way switch*, with proc amp
- TBC-7000, the TBC-4000 with (useless) chroma key function

- and the TBC-5000, the only not suggested model from DataVideo, as it expects studio/broadcast (non-VHS) sources. This is was made after all other DataVideo TBCs were discontinued, and has zero relation to the earlier generation of units.

Many other "also include TBC" mixers, chroma keys, and other DataVideo boxes are the same as the TBC-5000 (not suggested!).

* Having four TBCs in a single unit sounds nice, but the 4-way switch can cause issues while capturing. You need to set all 4 sources before the captures, and then not switch it again until all 4 are complete. But it's also not likely that you can have 4 complete workflows in such a tight space unless you have a special multi-desk or rack setup. I honestly consider the TBC-4000 to just be a TBC-1000 with a proc amp; an upgraded TBC-1000.

All of the pre-2010s DataVideo TBCs essentially had a TBC-100 at the core (or multiple TBC-100 on a single board), with another device added (distribution amp, proc amp, dual TBC/PA, etc), inside the standalone black metal box.

Reviews for DataVideo TBCs have been mixed over the years, though usually favorable. Understand that many DataVideo TBCs looked perfect as-is, but quality from copy to copy seems to have varied. There has been user evidence online suggesting some units were soft or had vertical power line noise in the image. For example:
- On the TBC-1000, defects have been shown to be caused by the VP-299 distribution amp, and not the actual TBC-100 inside the case. See attached photos at the bottom of this post, compare the VP-299 to the TBC-1000. Members at this site discovered that it can be modifies to bypass the VP-299. Instructions and photos of modified units can be found in this thread: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...8710-vs-2.html
- On the TBC-3000, the switch from jumper to DIP was sometimes important, as most DIP units look perfect, while jumper units can vary.

Manuals are also available: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr-...r-manuals.html

Important: Never use a TBC without a UPS. Unlike many devices, including most VCRs, a TBC has no fuse to protect the components from power fluctuations. Flickering power can destroy a unit, and nobody is immune to power problems. Heed this advice! A good Cyperpower unit is suggested.

This is probably the best TBC that you can buy, for capturing tape formats to digital. :congrats:


Cypress, AVToolbox and TVOne

Cypress products are usually not under the Cypress name brand. The two primary models of Cypress TBCs are the CTB-100 and the 1T-TBC (and 1T-TBC-GL variant that adds genlock). Cypress Technologies in Taiwan is the designer and manufacturer of these timebase correctors, and are sold in bulk to private labels that re-brand (or "rebadge") the units with their own brandings and colored cases. CYP is the in-house brand for Cypress, and has official outlets in Asia and Europe.

The CTB-100 is the lower priced of the two TBCs, and often considered to be of extremely high quality (when it doesn't have defective chipsets, at least!) This specific model is best known as the AVT-8710 in North America, as sold by TVOne (formerly AVToolbox). On eBay and in Europe, it's often sold under any number of model numbers -- usually CTB-100, TCB-100, AVT-8710, TBC-100. See attached photos, showing variant CTB-100 models.

The 1T-TBC/GL and CTB-100/AVT-8710), share the same main circuit board, according to TVOne support. However, the boards appear different. But the units do, at very least, contain the same IC chips. So the AVT-8710 is essentially the same as the 1T-TBC.

All of these units are affected by the infamous bad chipsets in all units manufactured during the 2010s (2010-2018), which cause severe ghosting and frame-locking/sticking from defective IC buffers.

Warning: Unlike the simple "green vs. black" casing for an AVT-8710, the 1T-TBCs have never changed appearance. The 100/8710 had a recessed area where the serial label was affixed, but the 1T-TBC did not. For that reason, many 1T-TBC units now lack visible serials. The only way to verify the unit is good is to dismantle it, and verify the board ICs.

Example images: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...html#post10238
More images and discussion: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...s-capture.html

You'll find a photo gallery of images at AVT-8710 TBC specs?
It shows both the inside components, and shots of the power supply specs. The images come from a known-working 2004-2006 era unit with zero flaws.

Important: Sima also used the CTB-100 cases for it's non-TBC products. Do not assume anything in the case is a TBC! Some Cypress format converters used the case, and even claimed to have TBC -- but it does not work when not converting formats (PAL>NTSC, or the reverse).

Important: Never use a TBC without a UPS. Unlike many devices, including most VCRs, a TBC has no fuse to protect the components from power fluctuations. Flickering power can destroy a unit, and nobody is immune to power problems. Heed this advice! A good Cyperpower unit is suggested.

Important: Cypress has no on/off power switch for their TBC units. You can yank the plug from back, but it's not suggested, as it can throw sparks or harm the unit. Instead, get an inline extension cord or outlet switch, or just use an extra power strip (often falsely called "surge protectors"). Use that as the on/off switch.

Like DataVideo, this is one of the best TBCs that you can get to transfer your tapes to DVD/digital formats. :salute:


TBC Buyer's Guide - The Best External Timebase Correctors

As of 2021, the list of suggested TBCs is as follows.
BrandModelNotes
1. DataVideoTBC-100Rare, needs computer for power, inert PCI slot required
2. DataVideoTBC-3000,4000,7000Watch for noisy signals
3. DataVideoTBC-1000May need mods for best performance
4. AVToolbox, TVOneAVT-8710Only older green units are good, black defective
5. CypressCTB-100, clonesOnly older Smurf-blue units are good, black defective
8. Cypress, TVOne1T-TBCBad chipsets on 2010s units, same chips as AVT-8710
6. KramerFC-400Weaker than DataVideo/Cypress, bad for nth gen VHS
7. For.AFA-125Deep metal TBC, annoying fan

Historic reference only, to be expanded on later
1. DataVideo TBC-100|$300|
2. DataVideo TBC-3000,4000,7000|$700+|$250+
3. DataVideo TBC-1000|$480+|$250+
4. AVToolbox, TVOne AVT-8710|$325|$250+
5. Cypress CTB-100, clones|$265+|$250+
8. Cypress, TVOne 1T-TBC|$550|$400+
6. Kramer FC-400|$900|$400+
7. For.A FA-125|$1500|$400+


And if it's not listed here, it's NOT recommended!
This includes:
- non-green era (2000s) Cypress units
- rack-mount units by Leitch, DPS, Snell & Willcox, etc, that expect studio sources (not VHS, Hi8/Video8, etc)
- the cheaply made noise-prone Key West Big Voodoo devices
- the wanna-be/fake "filters" and "clarifiers" from Grex, Sima, and others
- and (for most people), composite-only TBCs like the FA-128/130, and ancient 90s Cypress units

* Note that most Cypress units, and their clones, are sold on eBay. Most of the sellers have proved to be obstinate, rude, and generally lacking of any knowledge on video (including TBCs), resulting in difficult returns (which is usually required, due to receiving a known-defective unit). Several auctions also have horribly distorted information, both with images and as text, describing the abilities of TBCs -- pure lies, as far as I'm concerned.

* NOTE: Although this post was written in 2011, it rarely needs updates.
Don't be one of those obnoxious people that thinks all online articles need monthly updates. This list of TBCs has not changed in several years, and can be considered "evergreen" content. At most, notes on that issue will be amended if the new products becomes discontinued, and is no longer available in stores. The rankings will not change, outside of the unlikely situation of a new product coming to market. Just so we're clear on this. Thanks.

* Again, all new AVT-8710s aka CTB-100s are defective. If the model is black, do not get it. It was announced in 2018 that these known-bad TBCs will be discontinued, and this page will be updated when places like B&H stop selling them.




Final Thoughts

Anything not sold "in stores" will have to come from used channels. For example, the digitalFAQ.com Marketplace forum, eBay, Amazon, or Craigslist.

I currently use (or have used) all of the TBC models discussed here. These external TBCs provide stable signals to the capture cards and DVD recorders, which allow for a perfect transfer experience -- no dropped frames, no signal-caused distortions.

I hope this has helped expand this thread. :)

If this information has been helpful, please upgrade to Premium Member status, or consider a donation. Premium Members will get longer in-depth one-on-one help for their projects, and in the future will be able to access exclusive content. And the price is about the same as buying a book or couple of magazines -- but far more useful!

metaleonid 12-06-2011 07:14 PM

I'd like to ask a question and to comment.

The question is... Out of the external TBC you've mentioned, any model has good 3d comb filter for Y/C separation? Or TBC are not designed for that?

I'd like to comment on Canopus ADVC. I know that you don't like them... :) nevertheless.
1. Only ADVC-300 has built-in LTBC. ADVC-100/110 don't and are not advertised to have LTBC.
2. I recently acquired ADVC-300 to use with not-so-important low quality old VHS tapes just to make it quick. So far I had not had any single frame dropped during my captures and that would include static/snow between clips and so forth. The only thing I experienced was disconnection during blue screen due to the fact that I was capturing in SECAM format and at the time VCR stopped, it automatically would switch into NTSC format for blue screen. So I guess in that sense LTBC is doing a pretty decent job. The TV Tuner card I have would immediately drop frames during static/snow.

lordsmurf 12-06-2011 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metaleonid (Post 18325)
I'd like to ask a question and to comment.
The question is... Out of the external TBC you've mentioned, any model has good 3d comb filter for Y/C separation? Or TBC are not designed for that?

They're really not designed for that. In fact, most TBCs react terribly if you input s-video or composite, and then switch have output on the other. There's a filter because you have the ability to swap from composite to s-video inside the unit, but it's far from "good". The input should match the output connection, when it comes to the TBC. The TBC is for correcting timing and synchronization, not Y/C separation. (Noting that it does have some obvious ability to separate, since it filters composite input. But again, not really "good" when compared to some of the better video hardware out there, like JVC VCRs or certain DVD recorders.)

dFAQ forum member Ghitulescu made this comment on another site:
Quote:

A good comb filter adds at least 100€ to the price of the device it includes it. Separating composite into Y/C can be done as cheaper as adding a capacitor and let the receiving device do the real separation.
I have a TBC-100 here, about to be put in a computer, and I pulled out a magnifying glass. I has Philips SAA7111AHZ (x2), Conexant Bt864AKRF (x1), and AVerLogic AL422B-PBF (x4) chipsets on the board. I don't remember everything about the DataVideo TBC-100/1000 guts anymore -- too long since I researched it some 7+ years ago -- but I do know current performance. The switchover is lousy, so that always forged my opinion of the Y/C separation. Be it right or wrong, that's how I form my opinions on Y/C separation.

It's just not the job of an external TBC.

NJRoadfan 12-06-2011 10:24 PM

The comb filter in the AVT-8710/TBC-100 is nothing special, they claim its 2D-line. You get plenty of dot crawl with it. The comb filters in JVC SVHS decks and the Panasonic AG-1980 are of the 3D-adaptive type and produce much cleaner output without dot crawl.

metaleonid 12-09-2011 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf (Post 11853)

According to this guide I guess I am left with basically 2 options. Which one of these 2 are better quality? If I go with AVT_8710, how do I know if the chipset is defective? I don't mean in advance before purchase. I mean what symptoms of the defective chip would there be (what will I see on the screen)?

B&H is 20 minute away from where I work.

Thank you.

--Leonid

metaleonid 12-18-2011 12:28 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Ok, I went ahead and purchased AVToolbox AVT-8710. However, I am returning it. I've tried it with my FlyVideo LifeView 3000 TV Tuner card. I plugged the DVD player and played Snell & Wilcox reference. NTSC. The video quality between direct capture and capture via TBC was very close. The images are attached. However, I then used the SECAM VHS tape. And there I noticed that when I viewed using TBC, TBC would freeze the video frame at random from about 100-200 milliseconds up to a second or more. Yeah, I would not get the dropped frames during capture as far as my TV Tuner card is concerned, but I would get the dropped frames inside TBC. The frozen frame is a dropped frame in my book. So I had to scratch this solution.

While playing with it I noticed that my capture software has perhaps something similar to TBC. I use Philips SAA713x family card and use Philips drivers (not the LifeView ones). The application software has Vertical sync recovery modes. There are 4 modes: Normal, Fast Tracking, Free Running and Intermediate Running. Usually what I used to do is I would start capturing in Fast Tracking mode and then switch to Free Running mode. That way, I don't get any dropped frames.

fnub 02-20-2012 09:54 PM

AVToolbox AVT-8710 (a Cypress CTB-100 model). How is the audio handled on a unit with no ins & outs for audio on the TCB?
After capturing it are you supposed to take the file while in the timeline, unlink the audio from the video and nudge it into place?

lordsmurf 02-20-2012 10:09 PM

TBCs only process video.
The only TBCs that have audio inputs are actually TBCs merged with distribution amps, such as the TBC-1000.
The DataVideo TBC-1000, for example, is a TBC-100 inside a VP-299 distribution amp.

There's no reason to nudge anything on a timeline. Audio should still be in sync. (At worst, it'll be a half frame offset.)

monks19 02-25-2012 11:30 PM

Hi, lordsmurf. Any recommandation for a pro tbc unit ? Because now with some of the older posts here, I'm quite lost. Wich one of the units are the best and affordable and, it they needs modification(s), wich one(s) should we do for the best efficiency and can we get a good tutorial to do these correctly ?

Thanks to answer

Cyclone82 03-10-2012 01:27 AM

With the AV Tool AVT-8710 i believe it only comes with a 110v power adaptor for USA market. If i buy one of these TBC's can i just use any power adaptor sourced locally the right voltage and amp rating because i am not in USA and have 220-240volt mains.

lordsmurf 04-01-2012 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone82 (Post 19891)
With the AV Tool AVT-8710 i believe it only comes with a 110v power adaptor for USA market. If i buy one of these TBC's can i just use any power adaptor sourced locally the right voltage and amp rating because i am not in USA and have 220-240volt mains.

The AVT-8710 is the North America private label (rebadge/re-brand) of the CTB-100.
The CTB-100 would come with a power supply native to where it was sold.

But the unit itself works with worldwide power standards -- you just need to get the proper plug for it. ;)

Jarvis 04-03-2012 04:48 PM

Great thread, I'm currently looking to buy a new TBC and it's helped narrow the options down. The last one I bought was a CTB-100, which I got unlucky on and received a defective unit, with all the same problems that have been well documented here already. It's really unfortunate that the new units are defective for such a highly recommended model. I'd rather not take the risk on buying another one.

The TBC-100 looks like the best replacement, since out of the list I see there's no cases of defective units. If I'm reading correctly, the standalone TBC-1000 is, in some cases, negatively affecting the image because of the distribution amp. Therefore, is the 100 PCI model actually transparent? Or does it still have some degree of softening or otherwise affecting the image?

Apart from wanting a TBC that works well, having a TBC that is transparent is important to me. One of the frustrating things about my CTB-100 is that its proc amp isn't set at neutral, it makes many of its own adjustments without me touching anything, which I consider unacceptable. I can live with an image that's a touch softer though, if the TBC has exceptional performance.

I'd appreciate any feedback I can get on this, I have the option to buy a new TBC-100 and would like to know if it's currently the most reliable choice for performance and transparency. Excluding pro models that is.

Thanks for your time.

kpmedia 04-04-2012 04:33 AM

The TBC-100 is easily one of the best TBCs for transparent processing (removal of signal flaws).

The only time you may have issues with it is if the computer's power supply is "dirty" power, but you'd likely notice that problem on graphics output, capture cards and audio cards, too. (It's NOT always present on all three devices, but usually it's visible everywhere when present. The solution is to use a better power supply, not the cheap ones or "free" ones that came with a budget-grade computer.)

Cyclone82 04-06-2012 12:18 AM

With the TBC-100 because its ment for a desktop and i only have a lap top, could i mount it in a box and run it on its own 12v or whatever it needs power supply to it and basically make it into a TBC-1000 but without the distribution amp?

Cyclone82 04-08-2012 01:15 AM

I wonder if these are worth adding to the list at the start of the thread
- http://www.cypress.com.tw/english/display.asp?id=309
- http://www.cypress.com.tw/english/display.asp?id=308

Have not seen them mentioned

kpmedia 04-10-2012 01:08 PM

Those are all the same TBC chipsets -- CTB-100, from what I've read (and seen from people taking theirs apart). It's just the CTB-100 with other stuff added, not too dissimilar from the TBC-1000 from DataVideo being a TBC-100 married to a distribution amp.

Mounting a TBC-100 into a VP-299 won't work, to make your own TBC-1000, because the power supplies are different. You can't self-make a TBC-1000 without more parts than you'll received from a TBC-100 and VP-299 alone. I've attempted to house a TBC-100 in a homemade external enclosure, but the power is too dirty. I've yet to find a clean-power 4-pin molex to AC adapter. Sadly, there really are not any PCI>external enclosures on the market, aside from a few specialty items that cost more than a TBC-1000 new.

Cyclone82 04-14-2012 05:23 AM

I understand the problem above, but i am sure there could be a way to do it. I reckon all you would need to do is replicate the power input side of the TBC1000 and then add that. As long as it does not made up of any of those surface mounted robot soldered in chips then i think it would be possible. I will buy a TBC1000 first. If thats no good then i will try a TBC100 and convert that to a external unit.

It is interesting that i have just seen photos inside 2 different TBC1000's and they are different!

see the small orange PCB in this

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8991/tbc10001.jpg

well i have seen one with out it. Never seen this mentioned before. Instead of having that 3 legged item on the black heatsink (i should not what its called but my mind has gone blank) mounted with those other capacitors on that orange PCB, the photos of the one i have see has that 3 legged component on the TBC100 board where that little white plug with 2 leads is connected.

Any idea what that section on the orange board is?

Very interesting

juhok 08-21-2012 06:46 PM

How about Kramer FC-400. Kramer seems like a respectable manufacturer, their unit is still available for a reasonable $600-700USD, specs list among else 10bit AD/DA which is a nice bonus. I've been searching high and low and cannot find anyone with real first hand experience with this Frame Sync.

In a related note, Kramer explained sync and TBCs pretty nicely in their FAQ:
Quote:

What are the sync related problems in video?

Sync related problems might be divided into two kinds: Problems with the sync information carried with the video signal. Problems of sync signal compatibility. As sync information is vital for video image stability, deterioration or loss of the sync signals effects image stability. Both Horizontal and Vertical sync signals are crucial for image stability and proper image centering on the screen. When the sync signals are effected, during transmission or recording, they may be recovered using a sync restoring device or a TBC (Time Base Corrector). The problem of sync compatibility exists because there are so many standards for transferring sync information with the video signal: sync signals may come in analog form, as a composite sync signal, and they may come in digital form - either composite or separate - Horizontal or Vertical, positive direction or negative. The sync signals may also be part of the luminance signals (as in Composite Video or Y/C) or ride on a video component signal - such as the “Green” signal. To solve this compatibility problem, special sync format converters are needed.
Quote:

What is the difference between a Black Burst Restorer and a TBC?

When sync or color burst information gets lost or distorted, it must be recovered in order to maintain proper signal stability and true color. A Black Burst Restorer strips away all sync and color burst information (the “Black burst” signal) and replaces it with newly generated Black Burst from an internal genlocked generator. In many cases, this solves the instability and the color fidelity problems. In severe cases, when not only the sync and color burst information are effected, but the lengths of the video signal lines are also distorted (as in high generation video tape copies), a Time Base Corrector (TBC) is needed to restore the video signal. The TBC “re-stretches” the video lines to the proper length and restores the sync and color information.

lordsmurf 09-14-2012 11:07 AM

Quote:

I've been searching high and low and cannot find anyone with real first hand experience with this Frame Sync.
Welcome to my world. :p

I've spent a ton of time and money in the past decade, serving as my own guinea pig. The rewards are worth it, however.
You do end up burned, with duds, etc. But it's a minority.

NJRoadfan 09-14-2012 12:05 PM

Kramer makes good stuff. Their transcoders (RGB<>YUV video, etc.) and sync separators are well regarded in the video game community. The FC400s never seem to show up used on ebay though!

Zerowalker 11-04-2012 12:32 AM

Are there any more information about the TBC risks?
As it just say that some may be bad, are there certain model numbers i should look for etc?

As the PCI one doesn´t seem to exist:S

Cyclone82 12-11-2012 04:17 AM

Quote:

How about Kramer FC-400. Kramer seems like a respectable manufacturer, their unit is still available for a reasonable $600-700USD, specs list among else 10bit AD/DA which is a nice bonus. I've been searching high and low and cannot find anyone with real first hand experience with this Frame Sync.
Yeah i would love to hear more info on the Kramer. Considering getting one myself. Their products seem a step up from the Cypress stuff and have s 5 year warrenty.

I also want to get a Kramer VP-701xl.
maybe th fact non show up used is a sign they are good and work and therefore people keep them?

kpmedia 01-31-2013 01:45 AM

If you ever get one, let us know what it's like. :)

meson1 04-03-2013 05:33 AM

1 Attachment(s)
I managed to get hold of a Kramer SP-10D on ebay. It's a broadcast industry unit that combines TBC, ProcAmp and standards converter. It's still a current offering in Kramer Electronics' product lineup. (Link: Kramer SP-10D). New, it's hard to find for less than £1500 including VAT.


These are rare on Ebay, but I had it as a saved search which alerted me when one popped up a few of weeks ago. I managed to win it for around £250 including delivery. Absolute bargain for what it is. It was supposedly bought as a backup unit that has never been actually used. It came in it's original packaging with manual, CD, power lead, rack ears and everything. Hardly a scratch on it, it looks pristine.

It has s-video sockets in and out as well as cv, component and a genlock loop through. I haven't done any extensive testing, but I've run a PAL VHS signal through it and the output looks clean and stable. Much better than my AVT-8710 which I've never quite been happy with (I suspect my 8710 is one with one of the dodgy chipsets).

monks19 04-03-2013 07:34 AM

Hi, keep us informed with more tests, please. I think that some people, me included, will be more eager to know more about this device.

Zerowalker 04-03-2013 10:25 AM

Yeah, please upload clips and stuff.

Would be nice if you could compare it with TBC-1000, as that´s the one i will have to buy probably.

monks19 04-03-2013 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerowalker (Post 26030)
Yeah, please upload clips and stuff.
Would be nice if you could compare it with TBC-1000, as that´s the one i will have to buy probably.

Same here.

meson1 04-03-2013 01:19 PM

I wouldn't hold your breath. I've got so much going on right now, I've only got limited time I can devote to playing with this gear.

One thing I have figured out is that it doesn't like the on screen menu output of the JVC VCR. At first I thought the VCR was broken, but it turns out that the TBC seems to grab the first frame of the menu and hangs onto it until you feed it some proper video again. When I hook up an alternate output to a monitor from the VCR's scart socket, it turns out the menu is working fine.

As for comparing it to a TBC-1000, I'm afraid I don't have one. All I have is a rather dodgy AVT-8710 which is why I've been looking for a quality alternative that works in PAL land.

Zerowalker 04-03-2013 02:04 PM

Okay.

Well i am in the same place as you, i am looking for a TBC for PAL.
And i am recommended the TBC-1000, that´s why i wanted to know, but if you don´t have it, then nothing to be done about it:)

Cyclone82 12-28-2013 12:11 AM

I finally tested out my new TBC1000 today. Had it for about a year and never tested it yet.
Well i can say it sure does work. I tested it with the recommended VHS of Liar Liar and it totally removes CP.
So far i can not fault it. I am no expert on picture quality but to my eyes all looks good. No major faults. Does not look like the distribution amp or power supply is causing any problems. I actually changed the power supply to a more modern switching/regulated one from what i was supplied as i got a big bulky square brick of a thing with EU pins and wanted one with Australian pins and the Au importer sold me the one that he said were being supplied with Australian stock Not sure what i should be looking for but to me i cant see any problems. I got mine from a seller in NZ who sent it to me direct from Taiwan or Singapore and its manufactured in 2012.

I have also got a Big Voodoo BVTBC10. This is the upmarket 10 bit version that used to sell for over $1000 USD. Yes i have read a few negatives about the bottom of the line model but for $50 i wanted to give this one a go. Just waiting on power supply.

Next i will be trying the Kramer FC-400

Cyclone82 01-03-2014 03:49 AM

More TBC options to consider

http://www.ensembledesigns.com/products/brighteye/be01

http://www.ensembledesigns.com/products/brighteye/be03

http://www.ensembledesigns.com/products/brighteye/be05

I do not know much about these.

juhok 01-03-2014 10:13 AM

BE is not as error tolerant as TBC-1000 but quality is (quite obviously) better.

WaxCyl 01-18-2014 05:22 AM

Sagatech TBC300
 
Greetings everyone.
I have joined the forum to maybe find out a few things about a TBC (Sagatech TBC300) that I am interested in.
I like the specs of this one because it seems comparable to the BrightEye 3
ie 12Bit processing with SDI out but I dont know if the TBC can handle domestic VCRs.

http://www.sagatech.cn/en/index.htm

www.sagatech.cn/images/download/TBC300_en.pdf‎

http://madeproduce.com/com/gzsagatec...mid-16016.html

http://www.made-in-china.com/showroo...r-TBC300-.html

I have'nt seen a price yet nor found a retailer for a single purchase.
Anyone else interested?
- WaxCyl

msgohan 01-21-2014 01:29 AM

It says the TBC is 10-bit, so ignore the 12-bit A/D since that becomes irrelevant.

I don't have any experience purchasing something like that straight from one of the Chinese markets but I suspect shipping costs would make it not worthwhile.

WaxCyl 01-21-2014 05:26 AM

Thanks for your reply. Yes you are correct it is only effectively 10 Bit.
I think that 10 bit digital processing is significantly better than all the 8 bit devices (with analog output)
often recommended on this forum. A disadvantage maybe that it then requires a PCIE SDI capture card to get it onto a PC.

The biggest benefit is that the workflow would be A to D,
whereas the suggested methods are A-D, D-A, A-D!
I would not underestimate the quality of Chinese designed gear, I think this is a serious piece of kit waiting for a Western OEM to re-brand. It is obviously aimed at professional broadcasting.
The big question marks over the device are:
1) Price?
2) Can the TBC tolerate domestic VCRs like the BrightEye 3?

Anyone have any more information?

WaxCyl

juhok 01-21-2014 10:34 AM

Like I said a few posts ago, BrightEye is not 100% tolerant to bad signals (home video). It will glitch easily. Because of this I haven't retired TBC-100 because it's needed from time to time alongside with BrightEye.

WaxCyl 05-17-2014 11:03 PM

Thank you both for your good advice.
The BE 3 is rather expensive but I was hoping for something better quality than the Datavideos.

UPDATE:

I ended up buying a Brighteye BE75 for a fabulous price (2nd hand, in great nick with P Supply).
I had worked out that the previously listed models do not include audio embedding.
This may have meant lots of trouble trying to capture the audio in sync with TB corrected video.
PQ is excellent, much better than my previous DV captures.Video is 4.2.2 (10 bit SDI)
I had to make up leads up for S-video to 2xBNC and RCA audio to phoenix!
I have also been lucky enough to get a "new " Hi-8 camcorder from Ebay -a DCTRV-66 (same chassis as TRV99) which I think is the peak of the Hi-8 camcorders + it has LTBC- anyway it has a much sharper picture than my old TR-880.
I may have to wait a few more years for deinterlacing with AVISYNTH as the 10 bit compatibility is a nightmare at the moment. 10bit video is better for colour space conversions and more efficient re-encoding
Looking forward to some real capturing.

lordsmurf 07-23-2014 06:47 AM

WaxCyl and juhok, thanks for posting.

I always find it interesting to hear what others have chosen to do, for their TBC needs -- especially when it's a unit that I have no experience with. The BrightEye (BE) units are new to me.


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