A very, very messy old VHS video

[juhae]

Hello, and sorry for making another clueless "can anyone help me, I'm totally lost"-thread, but such is the case with this video I've managed to obtain.

It's a taping of a concert from the late 1980's, prolly done with a VHS recorder and someone has later converted it into DivX format. Now, the tape has apparently seen better days, and it's rather painful to watch the video without developing a severe headache. (And don't worry, the band in question is a punk band without any major label connections so there's nothing even borderlining illegal in this.)

I've recently discovered the greatness of Avisynth, but I'm still somewhat lost with all the capabilities; I do understand it's impossible to create good picture out of nothing, but if there's anything you think that could be done to this mess, please share your thoughts, I'd be very grateful!

Here are a few screenshots taken with Virtualdub:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4102/s10vx.th.png (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s10vx.png)http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/4134/s27tu.th.png (http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s27tu.png)http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6342/s32oj.th.png (http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s32oj.png)

And here's a roughly 10MB clip of the video (sound ripped off, Virtualdub direct stream copy):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NCBP5E8B

[rfmmars]

Hello, and sorry for making another clueless "can anyone help me, I'm totally lost"-thread, but such is the case with this video I've managed to obtain.

It's a taping of a concert from the late 1980's, prolly done with a VHS recorder and someone has later converted it into DivX format. Now, the tape has apparently seen better days, and it's rather painful to watch the video without developing a severe headache. (And don't worry, the band in question is a punk band without any major label connections so there's nothing even borderlining illegal in this.)

I've recently discovered the greatness of Avisynth, but I'm still somewhat lost with all the capabilities; I do understand it's impossible to create good picture out of nothing, but if there's anything you think that could be done to this mess, please share your thoughts, I'd be very grateful!

Here are a few screenshots taken with Virtualdub:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4102/s10vx.th.png (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s10vx.png)http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/4134/s27tu.th.png (http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s27tu.png)http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6342/s32oj.th.png (http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s32oj.png)

And here's a roughly 10MB clip of the video (sound ripped off, Virtualdub direct stream copy):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NCBP5E8B

This looks like a second or third generation copy, no software fix. Try a Time Base Corrector VCR like the JVC 9900U

Richard

[Chainmax]

If it is a 2nd or 3rd generation copy, then probably no chroma smoother will get rid of those color splotches. On a similar case, scharfis_brain once recommended me to try TemporalSoften(2,0,50,mode=2). It also seems a bit blocky, so I'd recommend you to use DeBlock_QED_MT2.

[Chainmax]

This looks like a second or third generation copy, no software fix. Try a Time Base Corrector VCR like the JVC 9900U

Richard

How would you compare it to the Panasonic AG1980?

[jmac698]

I believe that modern captures cards will act like a TBC to some extent. I've looked at two chip descriptions which describe an UltraLock feature, this makes the lines left aligned and the same length. It should also help with slightly off field rate.
In other words it works like a TBC ;)

[juhok]

Only in-VCR TBC works well. External TBC's (even "full featured" ones like TBC-1000) produce worse results. Based on my own experiences and hearsay from other people. Feel free to correct me if you have better results with some other gear.

[swiego]

Juhai - I remember traveling to Lahti about ten years ago.... lovely place :)

I guess the first question is, do you or do you not have the original VHS tape?

[rfmmars]

How would you compare it to the Panasonic AG1980? I have used both and the 1980 is good. When I bought, its was the JVC............ its a Ford/Chevy choice.

Richard

[Chainmax]

But the Panasonic AG1980 costs $1100 and the JVC 9900U costs $600, are there no real differences between those two at all? Does the JVC has full frame TBC?

[rfmmars]

But the Panasonic AG1980 costs $1100 and the JVC 9900U costs $600, are there no real differences between those two at all? Does the JVC has full frame TBC?

I am sure there are differences between these machines but spending more doesn't mean you get more or the needed features for your operations.

I have a JVC BRu 711 professional deck which is somewhere in the $4000.00 area if I remember right, and the 9900 does a better job.

Richard