AVT-8710 or Facetvideo Clarifier

[huntr]

I have Panny DVd recorder E-80 and would like to transfer all my old VHS tapes into DVD to preserve the quality and some tapes are in poor condition so I'm hoping either one will help improve the quality while transferring into DVD. Will either one correct picture blur into sharpness, grainy pictures, etc? Also am interested in removing macrovision from some tapes and commerical DVDs. Would like to hear your feedbacks before making my decision on buying the product.

So which one is better?

Thanks!!

[lordsmurf]

Will either one correct picture blur into sharpness, grainy pictures, etc?

No. A TBC mostly removes jitter and only mild grain coverage may happen. The features you want are found in S-VHS VCRs, not in a TBC.

Also am interested in removing macrovision from some tapes and commerical DVDs.

That'll do it.

Read the VCR/TBC suggestions info at lordsmurf.com

[huntr]

The features you want are found in S-VHS VCRs, not in a TBC.

Will S-VCR correct the problem? I have JVC S-VCR and how do I do it?

Thanks for your input on TBC.

[piano632]

I would suggest the following:

1. Use the highest quality machine you can afford to play back the tapes (the more expensive machines have more video processing circuitry to improve image). Rent a pro machine if you have to.
2. Use a TBC if the picture is jittery, or bends at the top or "rolls".
3. Use high quality video cables (the truly good cables usually cost upwards of $50 each for 1 meter length, but they will help to reduce grain, improve color & contrast, etc.)

The AVT-8710 TBC has a sharpness control (you can either add or reduce sharpness), but you should keep in mind that usually when you increase sharpness you also increase grain (or vice versa). Also keep in mind that the Panasonic DVD recorders all have TBCs built in, so you should get some improvement just by feeding the video into the Panasonic.

Another product out there that may help is the Elite Video BVP4 broadcast video processor. It costs about $600 but this thing claims it can add sharpness without adding grain. Some people swear by this thing. I haven't used it, so I can't comment on its abilities.

But no matter what you do, don't expect miracles! If the original tape looks bad, you can improve it to some extent but nothing is going to completely fix it.