Can TBC solve this problem

[henasau]

I know what the time base corrector does theory anyway.
The TBC takes the noisy analog signal from the source and stores all the video information. Then it strips all the timing information and replaces it with the new rock-solid timing.

My project is to convert the mix of home movies VHS/ VHS-C/ Analog Video 8 to DVD. I started with VHS-C. I am not very happy with the picture quality.
A lot of noise strait lines are fuzzy.
There have been some suggestion that possibly VCR is the cause.
When the same tape is played directly on TV the picture is much much better.

I come to conclusion that VCR with the good TBC might solve the problem.
Having mix of formats I decided to get standalone TBC DataVideo 1000 and use my basic TEAK VCR.

This is A$500 investment for me.
I don’t exactly know what TBA can do to my videos in practical terms.
Can someone with more practical experience help me out this
I posted a few JPEG’s to www.abcembroidery.com.au/storage/capture.htm.
I understand few pictures may not be good enough to form the opinion.
Please any feedback will help.
For more INFO go to http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73006
The third message from the bottom

Henryk

[Dimmer]

Can't offer you a definite solution, only some info for further experimenting.

The "staircase" effect might be a result of de-interlacing the interlaced video during the capture. Since all your source tapes apparently are home video, they are interlaced and should be captured this way.

Before investing into TBC, try capturing from S-VHS player through S-Video connector. Even for VHS tapes, it sometimes enhances the quality of capture.

[henasau]

The "staircase" effect might be a result of de-interlacing the interlaced video during the capture.

To capture I used to use VirtualDub VCR Sync, now I am using VirtualVcr.
I am in PAL country. I tried several resolution including 704x576, 720x576, 768x576. Results are very similar. I verified resolution of the captured AVI's with FitCD s/f. The FitCd detects the intended resolutions.
I cant find any setup option in VDub and VirtualVCR to deinterlace during the capture. I don't know how this could happen.

I would like to try the SVHS. They are very rare over here.

Henryk

[rfmmars]

A picture is worth a thousand words but one of your links is broken.

This is my take on TBCs. Almost always they are a benefit, but I would spend my $500.00 another way.

Purchase a JVC 9900 S-VIDEO unit. You get a TBC, DNR, (Three deminsion noise filter), and a video stablizer. Price $499.95 US.

I get a lot of tapes that was recorded in EP or SLP mode. This deck is great in playing those tapes. You didn't say what model of Teak unit you have. If it was under $200.00, you should look for a replacement.

Most VCRs record quite well, but few playback at the same quality. If all your tapes are recorded in SP speed, you may want to try to pickup a used broadcast s-video unit. I bought a JVC-R611U on E-BAY for $153.00 plus the cost of pro-cables $70.00.

For my work I need more than one VCR. If you could borrow a couple and make test captures and compare, that would be a good place to start.

richard
photorecall.net

[henasau]

A picture is worth a thousand words but one of your links is broken.
My apology. There is unecessary full stop on the end of the web address. It shold read http://www.abcembroidery.com.au/storage/capture.htm

This is my take on TBCs. Almost always they are a benefit, but I would spend my $500.00 another way.

New VCR was my prefered option at first.
I could not find anything on EBAY. When I found something it wasn't available for oversease shipment.
Second problem I have some Video 8 tapes.
VCR is not going help me much with them. As far as I know I can't put video signal through VCR. The tape has to played on the VCR itself.

[Arachnotron]

A third option would perhaps be a capture device with build-in TBC.Some of the canopus ADVC range have this option included. They are external DV devices, so video-8 should not be a problem either.

Having a good VCR is still a very good idea (garbage in garbage out), but if a s-VHS deck is not an option this might be an alternative.

By the way: I don't have one, so perhaps someone else can comment on the quality.

[henasau]

Thanks for all replies.
After all the feedback I have it appears I have to make sure I am going to feed my capture card with the best signal possible.
First in the chain is VCR, so I am going to search for a good VCR again.
My preferred brand is JVC. Majority VCR's on the EBay are originating from the USA.
I know the JVC HR-S8965U can do PAL. Is there any more good unit with Pal capability.

@ RFMMARS
Richard I red from your posts you bought a couple of units on EBay one 9900 series and the other JVC-R611U.
I feel you are based in UK so PAL is your system. Can you give me some good pointers what to get please.
The pure NTSC unit would be useless in my project.

Henryk

[rfmmars]

No I live in Phoenix Arizona, and NTSC is my format. I am sure that JVC makes a PAL version of the 9900. I have seen time to time PRO decks on E-Bay in MTSC/PAL and PAL formats only. You might contact some of you local television stations to see if they are upgrading.

You could also look at SONY and Panasonic PRO units with featiures like like the JVC BS-R611. I am not real keen on SONY, too much repair,and home units from Panasonic perform good, but don't last very long. Remember Pro decks will only play SVHS/VHS at SP mode.

Richard