Capture Cards with reasonably good Y/C separation (comb filter) [Archive]

dannotto

23rd December 2009, 22:19

Every card with 3D comb filter will be better. Saa7134 has a decent 2D adaptive comb filter but today are available better solution. Only 3D comb filters can do perfect separation (on static and low motion scenes) between luminace signal over the chrominace signal. I think you also need uncompressed output. Some card (Asus MyCinema-PE6300) has 3D filter but is active only for mpeg ouput.

My hint:
Theatre 550: 2D comb filter with 5 line scaning + 3D comb filter
Theatre 650 or Theatre HD 750: 2D comb filter with 5 line + 3D Motion Adaptive comb filter
The only card (PCIe) with Theatre HD 750 available today is ASUS My Cinema-ES2-750.

Other cards with 3D comb filter are driven by Saa7163, Saa7164 (ASUS EHD2-100, Hauppage 2250, Compro E900F, Compro E850F) or Conexant CX23887, CX23888 and CX23418. How good are these? I don`t know.

If you buy ATI then follow these tips:
Do not install the drivers from the CD because they are old. Download the latest version of the ATI site
Uses the latest stable version of VirtualDub
Uses lossless compression with HuffYUV or Lagarith. HuffYUV requires ~ 27 GB per hour (Pal). Lagarith compress better but needs more CPU power. Also has support for multicore CPU.

At Video tick:
Overlay,
Video Source> composite Capture Pin > 25 Frame rate, Color space YUY2, Output size 720x576
Capture Filter: Filters properties > you can raise the volume up to 255, Video decoder > Pal
Crossbar: Video Composite In
Output > Audio Decoder Out = audio line in <Input, Also tick Related Link Stream
Compresion > Huffyuv or Lagarith

At Audio tick these:
Enable audio capture
Volume meter
Don`t tick Enable Audio Playback during capture because you get dropped frames
Capture Device
Source Audio> Audio Line

At Capture tick only > Timing > Do not resync between audio and video stream
Automatically disable resync when integrated audio / video capture is detected

From the File> Set Capture File

Also from Task Manager Set High priority for VirtualDub, Antivirus should be off during capture

Comb filter from Saa713x and ATI 3D in action (static scenes):

scharfis_brain

23rd December 2009, 23:17

Thanks for these hints.

I am looking for capture-only cards.
So graphics cards with Video-In are no option.
Especially ATI based cards. I personally banned ATI, cause of their ridiculous drivers (catalyst control panel).

Currently I got this capture card: Terratec Cinergy 400 PCI.

I'd like to replace it.
The replacement should offer Composite as well as S-Video inputs, and optionally a TV-Tuner.
YUY2 capturing is mandatory.

dannotto

23rd December 2009, 23:48

I mentioned nothing about Ati AIW card. All my recommendations are dedicate TV tuner cards. Theatre 550, Theatre 650 are ATI ADC which power tv tuner cards (Sapphire Theatrix, http://www1.sapphiretech.com/en/products/multimedia_specifications.php?gpid=114 PowerColor 550 or 650 http://www.powercolor.com/global/product_theater550pro_pcie.html, http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=8os7CujiW57042Tt&templete=2).
You can have nVidia video card and ATI tuner. If don`t like ATI and if look for 3D comb then your options are Philips ADC (now NXP) or Conexant ADC mentionated above. And only if are able to send uncompressed signal. I can`t guarantee YUY2 for these.
To work dedicated ATI tuners need just WDM drivers. Catalyst control panel is for video cards.

scharfis_brain

24th December 2009, 00:10

Ah thanks. I didn't know that ATI also offers capture only boards.

I will have a look around.

FlimsyFeet

24th December 2009, 14:27

dannotto, those images are really good for showing the difference a 3D comb filter makes.

scharfis, if your current card has an s-video input, you could try using some other device in between your composite source and the capture card which might have a better comb filet built in, e.g. a DVD recorder (or the flat screen TV you mentioned, but that would be unlikely to give an s-video outpot I would think).

juhok

24th December 2009, 19:24

@dannotto

Can I download that test pattern from somewhere? I'd be interested to compare Pixelmagic PDI Deluxe(SAA7118) and Datavideo TBC-1000(composite->s-video) with your results.

zilog jones

24th December 2009, 21:31

I'm sure a Snell & Wilcox testcard can't be downloaded, not legally anyway.
Thanks for the comparison dannotto, I also have a SAA7134 based card and didn't know how bad the comb filter was compared to others.

scharfis_brain

24th December 2009, 23:43

I have sources that are composite only.
So S-Video Inputs are no option.

The difference of these images is really impressive.

dannotto

25th December 2009, 14:44

@dannotto

Can I download that test pattern from somewhere? I'd be interested to compare Pixelmagic PDI Deluxe(SAA7118) and Datavideo TBC-1000(composite->s-video) with your results.

The pattern can be found on Digital Video Essentials disc (not free content).
Pixelmagic PDI Deluxe has two ADC: SAA7118 (the big chip) and BT878. If SAA7118 handle composite input the quality will be the same like in the picture posted by me because SAA7118 and SAA713x have the same characteristics regarding video processing. SAA713x integrates a demodulator and PCI interface. If BT878 process composite signal (unlikely) the quality will be lower because comb filter is basic (notch filter).
Datavideo TBC-1000 is driven by Philips SAA7114 ADC, part of the same family of 9 bit with the same adaptive comb filter. So, both devices (Pixelmagic PDI Deluxe and Datavideo TBC-1000) must have the same performance in terms of Y/C separation.

A free benchmark disc with EIA 1956 resolution patern is is given by Tvblink. You must download the ISO image and burn on DVD blank. http://www.tvblink.com/i_dvd.html
I also have a SAA7134 based card and didn't know how bad the comb filter was compared to others.
Very few tv tuner cards have 3D comb filter. Most of them use a adaptive comb filter.

Chainmax

25th December 2009, 15:41

dannotto, nothing of what I have seen thus far from the ASUS My Cinema-ES2-750 mentions NTSC capture, does that mean that you can't capture NTSC stuff with it? Although I live in Uruguay which is a PAL country, many home made (and commercial too, if I recall correctly) VHSs are NTSC...

extra question: if using a card like the abovementioned one, do you guys think a full featured VHS deck like, say, the Panasonic 1980 or the JVC 9900 would be better than any VCR+an external TBC like the Datavideo TBC-1000 juhok mentioned?

juhok

25th December 2009, 16:35

@dannotto
Thanks for the info and link. I've been looking for such a disk for a while now. :p I guess there's no need to test any of my comb filters when the results are known already. I rarely need composite input so this haven't got my attention before. I've been eyeballing Blackmagic line of capture devices. Need something that'll work with 64bit OS/Win7 and the input options are impressive (eg. Decklink Studio).

I checked my other TBC, 1T-TBC and it has same SAA7114 and SAA7129. Picture attached.

@Chainmax
Internal TBC in JVC/Panasonic line of decks and external TBC like TBC-1000 are for different purposes and often(but not always) I find myself needing both. Internal TBC fixes visible time base error where external TBC will clean the signal to prevent framedrops etc. Sometimes JVC's internal TBC will produce jitter with bad tapes and you have to turn it off. Panasonic is better in this regard (limited experience with Panasonic so far).

Then again, when I capture from Sony EV-S9000 Hi8 deck its internal TBC and framesync are stable enough that I never need external TBC. Same with professional BetacamSP deck (no surprise there).

dannotto

25th December 2009, 16:58

dannotto, nothing of what I have seen thus far from the ASUS My Cinema-ES2-750 mentions NTSC capture, does that mean that you can't capture NTSC stuff with it?

Yes it can. Has worldwide support.
many home made (and commercial too, if I recall correctly) VHSs are NTSC...
Not true. Paraguay and Uruguay, has the PAL standard 625 line/50 fields per second system with the NTSC subcarrier frequency. The VHS tapes recorded in your country are in PAL. To see these tapes you need PAL (european) vcr.

extra question: if using a card like the abovementioned one, do you guys think a full featured VHS deck like, say, the Panasonic 1980 or the JVC 9900 would be better than any VCR+an external TBC like the Datavideo TBC-1000 juhok mentioned?
Yes, will be better. For NTSC tapes you need US model. For PAL tapes (tapes made in Uruguay and Europe) you need Pal VCR. Most of the Pal vcr can also play NTSC tape in PAL60. TBC from Panasonic PAL SVHS vcr is off during NTSC tapes playback. This card don`t support PAL60 system.
DataVideo TBC-1000 act like a frame synchronizer. I will help with weak vertical synch but will not fix time base errors (wavy lines). TBC from JVC and Panasonic SVHS vcr can do true time base correction.

You should look for PAL JVC SVHS vcr with DigiPure (7600 model and up).

Panasonic PAL SVHS vcr with TBC and DNR
Panasonic NV-FS 200 a.k.a. Panasonic AG-1980P (NTSC version)
Panasonic NV-HS 950
Panasonic NV-HS 860
Panasonic NV-HS 930
Panasonic NV-HS 960
Panasonic NV-SV 121

I guess there's no need to test any of my comb filters when the results are known already.
There may be differences due to build device quality.
juhok, the Asus My Cinema 750 have Win7 support. For analog SD this card is ok. If you need SDI and HD take Blackmagic. For a complete SD professional solution you should look at AJA XENA LS.
http://www.aja.com/products/xena/xena-lse-ls.php

juhok

26th December 2009, 01:57

@dannotto

Thanks for the AJA XENA tip, I've somehow missed this option completely. With quick reading to the specs and drivers it seems almost too good to be true. It might even work with Virtualdub with the WDM drivers(?). It seem to have reasonable capturing program of it's own with avisynth readable output so VD is not a must (I don't fancy expensive NLE software for this simple task).

About the JVC/Digipure.. owning half a dozen different JVC models I'd say turn it off and use avisynth (if time is not important)! :devil:

@scharfis_brain

Sorry for hijacking your thread. :p

Here's some tests I made;

DVD (Y*C)> 1T-TBC (Y/C)> Sweetspot/PDI Deluxe
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/1T-TBC_bleeding.png
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/1T-TBC_resolution.png
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/1T-TBC_resolution_lines.png
DVD (Y*C)> TBC-1000 (Y/C)> Sweetspot/PDI Deluxe
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/TBC-1000_bleeding.png
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/TBC-1000_resolution.png
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/TBC-1000_resolution_lines.png
DVD (Y*C)> Sweetspot/PDI Deluxe
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/PDI-Direct_bleeding.png
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/PDI-Direct_resolution.png
http://www.siluriformes.net/doom9/PDI-Direct_resolution_lines.png

dannotto

27th December 2009, 11:06

About the JVC/Digipure.. owning half a dozen different JVC models I'd say turn it off and use avisynth (if time is not important)! :devil:
It is a bad idea to turn off TBC. Tbc errors have a negative effect on noise removal and compression. Even in still areas is much movement because pixels are jumping from one place to another. Noise removal and compression efficiency is increased when the image is time base errors free (steady image). At JVC vcr, TBC and DNR are tied together. So if you turn off DNR you also turn off the TBC. At Panasonic SVHS vcr both functions have dedicated buttons. You can enable only TBC and leave off DNR.
Avisynth power is almost unlimited on noise removal but have no solutions for time base errors.

1T-TBC has a low bandwidth that will affect the quality from SuperVHS tapes sources. The levels are wrong with this device. TBC-1000 has an appropriate bandwidth and can be used with SVHS tapes.

juhok

27th December 2009, 15:00

It is a bad idea to turn off TBC. Tbc errors have a negative effect on noise removal and compression. Even in still areas is much movement because pixels are jumping from one place to another. Noise removal and compression efficiency is increased when the image is time base errors free (steady image). At JVC vcr, TBC and DNR are tied together. So if you turn off DNR you also turn off the TBC. At Panasonic SVHS vcr both functions have dedicated buttons. You can enable only TBC and leave off DNR.
Avisynth power is almost unlimited on noise removal but have no solutions for time base errors.Not true. You can turn noise reduction off seperately from TBC in most JVC models. Only one that I've owned that doesn't allow this is S7965.This is wrong (read next message).

1T-TBC has a low bandwidth that will affect the quality from SuperVHS tapes sources. The levels are wrong with this device. TBC-1000 has an appropriate bandwidth and can be used with SVHS tapes.Again, not true. Levels are not wrong. I just didn't match them with this test. 1T has AGC that will affect the levels - it is different that TBC-1000 but it is not wrong. Also the low bandwith is only seen at Composite->S-Video seperation. It's fine when using S-Video->S-video (I was testing only the comb filter here and in that regard it failed). 1T has it's share of problems but lack of bandwith hasn't been one of them in normal Y/C usage.

dannotto

27th December 2009, 21:25

Not true. You can turn noise reduction off seperately from TBC in most JVC models. Only one that I've owned that doesn't allow this is S7965.

http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=1316148&postcount=18

juhok

27th December 2009, 22:00

@dannotto

I stand corrected regarding TBC/NR & 3R issue. I checked the menus and manuals on my decks. I've somehow been constantly misreading/interpreting the "3R" as "NR" in the menu. I apologize. :eek:

scharfis_brain

27th December 2009, 22:39

zilog jones

27th December 2009, 23:01

As dannotto said the high-end Panasonic VCRs offer TBC with separate DNR. I have an NV-HS960 and it's pretty good (has lots of features completely useless for just playback though like Tape Library and fancy brushed aluminium bezel), though I find the TBC makes things a bit worse on very good tapes (outside of the odd dropout).

Ghitulescu

28th December 2009, 17:46

So I need a S-VHS deck with EDIT mode (no vertical chroma blur and no sharpening) and also with a TBC but no DNR.

I use an AG7600 with ED TBC Enhancer (synch back to VCR) and a Pio DVR7000. The audio gets though a profi correction chain. The video goes Y/C, the audio BAL upto Pio which needs UNBAL. The results are excellent and in RealTime. The only editing I do is cutting them accordingly and authoring the DVD. If I need fancy things I simply use XP mode (1h, audio LPCM), edit with transitions and smart encode, then shrink to DVDR (but no lower than 70%). Except for authoring and editing, the speed is given by the HDD.

I sense no delay (due to TBC, any TBC induces a delay, maybe it's because of the synch, I don't know, I don't care).

dannotto

29th December 2009, 18:55

I've got a JVC HR S-9500 and its temporal noise reduction filter is always on.
I cannot disable it no matter what I do.
the TBC/NR button just toggles the TBC. and Digital 3R makes temporal smear just worse.

This is the reason why I don't want to use the JVC any more.

with the forced temporal pre-denoising of this VHS deck every attempt to do a proper camera image stabilization (deshaker) will fail.

So I need a S-VHS deck with EDIT mode (no vertical chroma blur and no sharpening) and also with a TBC but no DNR.

The only alternative to JVC (PAL SVHS vcr with TBC) is Panasonic models mentionated above. Some models from Panasonic (NV-FS200, NV-HS950, NV-HS1000) can be found under Blaupunk and Metz name, both well known brands in Germany.

BLAUPUNKT RTV-950 = Panasonic NV-FS200
Metz S-VHS VC62 = Panasonic NV-HS950
Blaupunkt RTV-965 = Panasonic NV-HS1000

deathtical

5th January 2010, 01:16

I like all the info here, but I have a question if i may. Everyone seems to be coming from the point of capturing video from a VCR. I have a laserdisc player that I would like to capture video from. I don't have a large collection of LDs but almost everything I have on LD is only available on LD. No one has picked up the licenses to produce them on DVD or Bluray. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good device (USB, Firewire, or PCI) for capturing video over RCA (Y/W/R) cable. I'm not trying to break the bank as my collection is small. If anyone could recommend something that is say under $100 would be great. Some of the devices you guys have listed here are $200+ some even as high as $600+. I don't want to come over as cheap but that would be like paying $20-$100 per LD I want to capture. Also, someone in another part of the forums suggested I get something that would allow me to capture in YUY2. If that is sound advice, can a device capable of doing it be found in my budget? Thanks guys.

dannotto

5th January 2010, 09:54

Laserdisc is a composite video format: the luminance (black and white) and chrominance (color) information are transmitted in one signal and comb filter is needed to separate them. This thread cover this issue: cards with good comb filter. There are solutions for everyone`s pocket. Read from the beginning.

juhok

6th January 2010, 07:19

Anyone got Blackmagic Intensity Pro and care to comment on it's composite quality (or some other pro card)? :thanks:

Ghitulescu

6th January 2010, 09:37

I'm not trying to break the bank as my collection is small. If anyone could recommend something that is say under $100 would be great. Some of the devices you guys have listed here are $200+ some even as high as $600+. I don't want to come over as cheap but that would be like paying $20-$100 per LD I want to capture.

I taped once some comedy shows that are extremely unlikely to be rediffused (TV, VHS, DVD you name it).

I went hunting a profi VCR and I lost one on eBay at some 550€ (some 10€ per hour). I won an auction afterwards for 50€ and got a complete SVHS studio (two profi players, mixer, titler, genlock, cables etc.). The TBC was found on a fleamarket, for a puny 3€ (last time I checked on eBay were still 250€ used).

So with a bit of luck you can succeed, considering the fact that the recordings are unique.

pitsie

12th January 2010, 11:47

@dannotto
Ok, I am trying to buy the Asus My Cinema ES2-750 in europe and don't seem to find it. Can you tell me a euro-webshop that has the thing in stock?
Thanks for all.

dannotto

12th January 2010, 16:15

These stores are in Germany, some of them send in other countries (EU countries). You must ask before. Take a look:
http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a473614.html

Austria stores:
http://geizhals.at/a473614.html

UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B002L4G4ZS/ref=asc_df_B002L4G4ZS535267?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=geizhals07-21&creative=7978&creativeASIN=B002L4G4ZS&linkCode=asm

pitsie

14th January 2010, 18:33

Thank you! It is funny that no shop or web store sells these in Spain!

hrgiger6

7th February 2010, 23:32

I also am capturing from laserdisc and pal/ntsc vhs. I like the comb filters of the ASUS My Cinema-ES2-750 but will it capture an analog composite signal? If so how I don't see a jack for it. Which cards would be able to capture composite and s-video and have the 2d/3d comb filtering of the ASUS My Cinema-ES2-750??

dannotto

8th February 2010, 11:48

If so how I don't see a jack for it. In the package is a "Video-in & Audio-in Adaptor" with S-Video and composite connections. For others questions read the thread from the beginning.

Pinto007

8th February 2010, 21:58

I am looking for a PCI (PCIe) based capture card, that has a good Y/C comb filter like the ones seen in recent Flatscreen TVs.

The internal Comb filter of the SAA7134 chip of my current capture card doesn't please me any more. Even with additional postprocessing via AVISynth.

Are there any suggestions to follow?

There is a cheaper(?) and better(?) solution: buy S-VHS VCR - it will work as very good Y/C separator in passthrough mode :)

I also am capturing from laserdisc and pal/ntsc vhs. I like the comb filters of the ASUS My Cinema-ES2-750 but will it capture an analog composite signal? If so how I don't see a jack for it.

The same as above. Buy good S-VHS VCR and connect it between laserdisc and Asus capture card.

juhok

8th February 2010, 23:09

IIRC I tried pass-thru with JVC SVHS's (9xxx, 7xxx) and results were less than spectacular. Same story with professional JVC DV deck (BR600).

zilog jones

9th February 2010, 23:15

I tried with my VCR (Panasonic NV-HS960) to see if it has some sort of passthrough function - it didn't seem to make any difference when capturing with my SAA7134 card. It claims to have a 3D comb filter but I guess it only works on the tape output.

dannotto

10th February 2010, 10:05

All the nice features (TBC, DNR, comb filter) from a high end vcr are available only for the tape. None of them work in a pass-through mode.

zilog jones

10th February 2010, 14:47

I was assuming that was the case with the TBC and DNR, but was hoping for more with the comb filter :) I guess that makes sense though, thanks.

Ghitulescu

10th February 2010, 16:25

I heard that some Panasonic allow their TBC to be used in pass-through, people swear on Ag-1980P (for US, the closest model in EU would be the NV-FS200). But we come around to the issue: what is a TBC.

The profi VCRs do always have a composite input (BNC) as this was the studio standard long time ago and for long time. Of course they feature also other outputs as well. Some newer ones might have Hosiden S-Video outputs (usually they have proprietary connectors).

If I'll have time, maybe I'll give a try to my AG7600 in pass-through to see if it has a good comb filter. Never had this curiosity as this VCR outputs Y/C directly.
----
I know it has one of the best 3D comb filters around, just I don't know how much does it affect the signal separation in pass-through mode.

lordsmurf

11th February 2010, 10:15

I've beat the 'what is a TBC' topic a lot lately. Not every company agrees (or is honest about!) the question of What is a timebase corrector? (http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/showthread.php/alternative-avt-8710-1853.html) [3rd post down]

I'm not readily aware of a S-VHS VCR that does pass-through. (Note that I have an AG1980.) That tends to be a feature mostly found on a few DVD recorders, and some video cameras, and that's it. The VCR comb filtering output -- that is typically pretty good.

You don't even need a "working" VCR necessarily! It doesn't have to play tapes, just work in other aspects. Any functioning deck will act as the comb filter. (I have an extra I'm not using.)

jmac698

26th February 2010, 10:56

Hmm, very interesting. I should be able to make a free testpattern that can prove the comb filter is 2d or 3d. As far as pass through, there is a device I bought from The Source which is a distribution amplifier, with the added feature that composite inputs are automatically turned into svideo outputs.
Actually it is one input to 4 outputs, with both composite and svideo as inputs or outputs, thought he svideo input takes priority if plugged in.

Ghitulescu

26th February 2010, 14:40

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.

juhok

26th February 2010, 14:48

Anyone got Blackmagic Intensity Pro and care to comment on it's composite quality (or some other pro card)? :thanks:Not really any better than $10 BT8x8. Blackmagic Decklink Studio that is. I doubt Intensity is any different being entry level.

hrgiger6

1st March 2010, 05:00

Separating composite into Y/C can be done as cheaper as adding a capacitor and let the receiving device do the real separation.

Boy I sure would like to hear more about that! Can you tell us about that?? :thanks:

Ghitulescu

1st March 2010, 09:39

Boy I sure would like to hear more about that! Can you tell us about that?? :thanks:

Using a capacitor you can split the signal into two without too much interference: the Y/C lines carry the same signal, the receiving device receives therefore the same signal on both inputs, its Y-input rejects the chroma while its C-input rejects the luma. Virtually all new generations of S-VHSs or S-Video-enabled gear can do this. It's a bit worse than using its composite input, but it works.

pitsie

24th March 2010, 12:29

@Dannotto
I could find the Asus card in Holland and also a reasonably priced Panasonic VCR (AG-4700) in Ebay Germany. The quality of my captures has improved *a lot*.
I am very happy!
Thank you very much for your help!
Two questions:
do you recommend to activate de "AI setting" on the VCR?
is there any setting I have to activate in Virtualdub to get the best Y/C separation?
I am encoding in mpeg2 with tmpgenc xpress and I am very happy with the results!

Ghitulescu

24th March 2010, 13:05

pitsie

24th March 2010, 16:14

what do you recommend with the "PICTURE" slider SOFT-SHARP mine is now in the middle...

Ghitulescu

24th March 2010, 16:21

There's a switch called EDIT. Use it unless you need to modify the sharpness (soft-sharp).

dannotto

25th March 2010, 11:55

do you recommend to activate de "AI setting" on the VCR?
"AI setting"= Auto sharpness. Hard to tell, because on some tape with AI on the picture may add have more noise. I can`t give a rule. Make some test before and see.
is there any setting I have to activate in Virtualdub to get the best Y/C separation?
Comb filter is always on when you use composite input. Is related to card. I recommend to use S-video connection from your vcr. For some tape (multi genarations made on cheap vcr) composite link may give you a better quality because the card have a good comb filter and will clean the Y/C artefacts made on earlier recording by cheap vcr. For master tape (first recording) S-Video is the way to go.

I am encoding in mpeg2 with tmpgenc xpress and I am very happy with the results!
HC encoder is better and free.

what do you recommend with the "PICTURE" slider SOFT-SHARP mine is now in the middle...
Depend, on noisy tapes "sharp mode" will increase the noise and is not recommended. On tape in good shape "soft mode" will kill the detail.

Ghitulescu

25th March 2010, 13:36

There's a switch called EDIT. Use it unless you need to modify the sharpness (soft-sharp).
Apparently there's no direct access switch to cut off all the "improvements". This button was on all new Pannies so I assumed it was also present here. The EDIT button on this deck does other things. Therefore it should be a "click" in the middle of the sharpness slider. If you have an edit controller set the EDIT to PASSIVE and command your deck from there - this mode will also kill the OSD on output.
"AI setting"= Auto sharpness.
Not really, it's more than this, and it works both ways, PLAY/REC.