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Old 25th January 2010, 09:11   #21  |  Link
Ghitulescu
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Germany
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zilog jones View Post
Do you mean unique? I don't think "unicate" is a word (it's not in any dictionary I can see anyway).
Yes, but unique is an adjective not a noun. But now I think you got the idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pvh1987 View Post
I understand it like a hardware analog video to DV converter will not ensure synced audio and video. To get that, I will need a special (expensive) VCR?Or should I get a USB video grabber? Looks like an USB stick with 3-4 cables running out of it. I'm afraid to do this because I don't know what software will be able to use it.
No, this is why I recommended it. The DV device captures the video and the sound completely in synch. Yes, with consumer DV will end with unlocked audio, but it's again something for perfectionists, you'll never notice this. Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, don't worry, for waht you need "it's in synch".
USB things that looks like a matchbox are not good. Buy a pre-2003 one (used) if you need.

Quote:
Originally Posted by zilog jones View Post
It depends, but a typical camcorder with analogue inputs may not be able to handle the instability of VHS video very well (i.e. you will get a lot of dropped frames), which is why Ghitulescu recommends a TBC (Time-base corrector) which will cost a lot. You can get a top-end consumer S-VHS VCR for a lot less.


If it's just the one tape it may be cheaper bringing it to some video transfer specialists.
There is I think on lorsmurfs' page a discussion on TBCs. Typically a S-VHS deck has a limited TBC, that is used to correct only a few lines at a time. External TBCs should be able to do more, but those for amateurs/consumers lack a feed-back to the deck (which nevertheless the deck cannot use unless it's a profi one) - this feedback ensures that the tape runs exactly as it is supposed to do; this is why most people insist on a deck with TBC hoping it would work as they think it would (unfortunatelly, very few act in reality this way - their main function is to provide a clean signal at output, not to correct tape timings).

As many people suggested it, for one time job let the profi do it.
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Bottom line:
One time job - go to a lab (it would cost you say 40-80€ I have no precise idea)
Many tapes** - go hunt an used JVC (SR series), Sony (SV series) or Panasonic (Ag series) on eBay, some of them do have TBC (those for medicinal purposes, they have usually MD, such as Sony SVO9500MD or Panasonic AG-MD835). Then a TBC. Then either an old* Panny/Pioneer that are able to write rewritables or a DV-converter (Dazzle, Terratec, Pinnacle, Canopus etc.). And live happily.
*Why old? Because they have the best analogue part (Panny HS2, E100, Pio DVR7000, DVR5100 etc.)
**How much it would cost? No idea how lucky you can be...
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