new to capturing having trouble

[st711]

Hello

I have video8 tapes (all recorded on a sony ccd-tr77 from 1993). Using composite 3 analog RCA wires from camera for playback in VTR mode to a Dazzle DVC100 then from Dazzle DVC100 to USB 2.0 on computer and Dazzles software, I get "Wavy lines/image" (wavy runs right to left) through image and blacked out wavy along edge of image some pixeling along bottom 1/8 inch of image. Some footage is good then the wavyness comes back. I tried windows movie maker 2 capture and get the exact same results (movie maker 2 lets me black out the pixeling along the bottom of image). I Called Pinnacle/Dazzle for support, they were of no help "just going in circles there".

Now, I take my old sony tr-77, the same tape and the 3 analog RCA wires (Yellow,red and white) over to the TV and turn the camcorder to VTR and it plays perfectly on the TV, so that is telling me the TR-77, the tape and the wires are good?

Is the DVC100 good enough for the caputring task (I want the raw to be AVI)? I'll spend more if something will get good results.

MY computer is a Compaq S5400NX, with 2.6 ghz intel pent 4 w/ hyper thread tech, has 512 mb ram uped to 1 gb, 120 gb ultra DMA harddrive (I don't know if the hard drive runs at sustained 4mb per second), XP with SP2. The monitor is a compaq FP5315. I have an intelr 82865g graphics controller, is this 64 mb and is this directx 9 or 10 compatible, how can I tell?

What might be wrong? Any help would be appreciated? Thanks Stewart

[jagabo]

The noise at the bottom of the frame is on the video tape. You don't see it on TV because televisions overscan the frame -- they don't show you the outer edges of the frame.

The wavy lines throughout the image may be due to noise interference from a ground loop somewhere. Post a sample image showing the problem.

[st711]

Hello Jagabo

Here are two examples, I've been at this for 5 days trying everything, I'm burning out. Help!

Thanks Stewart

[st711]

Second example

[lordsmurf]

You need a timebase corrector AND/OR a better camera.

I work on tapes like this all the time.

[st711]

Hello Thanks for the input jagabo and lordsmurf.

Lordsmurf and all, I did borrow my brothers camera (doesn't have stereo sound however) and the capture is working much better, the recordings made are very acceptable. However, is there an answer as to why my TR-77 vtr will play flawlessly through a tv but not through the capture?

Stewart

[jagabo]

Time base errors are one of the methods used in copy protection (Macrovision) of commercial VHS tapes. TVs just ignore these errors but many recording devices are intentionally made sensitive to them -- to keep you from copying the tapes. Unfortunately, time base errors from poor recordings or old tapes can look like copy protection to some devices so they stop recording or give you screwed up images.

[st711]

Hello

Will these new TBC's I see on e bay for $139 to $189 work for the distortion shown above?

Stewart

[jagabo]

Will these new TBC's I see on e bay for $139 to $189 work for the distortion shown above?

I don't know which TBCs you're refering to but, in general:

If your tapes are first generation a TBC will likely fix your problem. If they are second generation (ie, a VHS copy of a VHS original) probably not.

[st711]

Hello

The tapes are the originals recorded on this very camcorder. Many were played back only once if that.
Below are links to the TBC's on ebay, one has 2M bit memory and the more expensive has 6M bit. Is 2M good enough?

(I don't know if this is allowed on the forum but if any of you sell them I will glady purchase to support you.)


[/url]http://cgi.ebay.com/Video-Time-Base-Corrector-Synchronizer-Color-Corrector_W0QQitemZ250496225311QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a52bd101f

[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-TV-Video-System-Converter-Time-Base-Corrector_W0QQitemZ120395266691QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Televisions?hash=item1c081dfa83

Gentlemen I appreciate your patience and help.

Thanks again Stewart

[jagabo]

I don't know those TBCs. Maybe someone who does can answer your question.

Another option is an old Panasonic DVD recorder. The DMR-ES10 and ES15 have built in line time base correctors (I'm not sure about other models). You can find used ones on ebay for about $35. You could record directly to DVD or use the analog passthrough (which is time base corrected) and continue recording with your Dazzle DVC100. These may not work quite as well as a good standalone TBC but will probably be adequate.

[lordsmurf]

That second one is a CTB-100 / AVT-8710, good TBC, about $200 new. I would NOT buy from eBay, however. Get one from B&H for only $215 brand new, a respected video store. No unknowns that way.

For $200 range, would it not be cheaper to outsource the project to a quality service? (PM me for suggestions.)