Dropped frames when capping from EP source..

[dubieman]

Hi everyone, please bear with me if this question has been asked before, even though I haven't been able to find any threads on it in this forum:

I've been using the Canopus ADVC-100 to transfer my Hi8 and VHS tapes, and so far, the unit works like a charm. Last night however, when capping a VHS tape that was recorded in EP(LP?) mode, I noticed that I dropped about 70 frames in a half hour segment...any one have any suggestions as to why frames are being dropped? Thanks!

ps. Capping software used is WinDv...

[tito13kfm]

Your vcr isn't feeding a clean enough source into the ADC. If you run the video through a TBC first, or a vcr with built in tbc then things should clear up nicely. I don't know the technical aspects behind it, or pretend to, but I can run a VHS tape recorded in EP over 12 years ago through my run of the mill vcr and drop about 400 frames per hour, but when I run it through my JVC DVHS vcr with TBC and DNR on it goes to about 10 per hour (0 if I use an external ADC instead of a cap card).

I picked my VCR up for around $375 with a 5 year warranty on the heads from ABC Warehouse in michigan on a recent trip, it's a JVC DH30000U. They were discontinuing it because of the 40k and it's missing a few key features, but not worth the extra $500 in my eyes. (except for the no DV out!!!!)

[dubieman]

Hi tito13kfm, thanks for the reply! The interesting thing is, I've capped movies from the same VCR many times that were not recorded in EP(LP?) and they have all turned out fine...in all fairness, I should mention that even though frames were dropped, they were not noticeable in the resulting VCD (or at least not to me!) But still, you're probably right about my VCR...maybe it's just past its prime! ha!

[tito13kfm]

well not exactly true, a decent vcr can play back 95% of all tapes fine with no dropped frames. It's just those other 5% where the TBC really comes in handy.

[dubieman]

I see...so in this case, is it the lack of TBC that's causing dropped frames?

Here's another question that might sound dumb: since I'm using the ADVC-100 to capture video via firewire, is defragmenting the drive before capture just as important or helpful as when using an internal capture card? In other words, does the ADVC-100 merely 'transfer' the video stream to the hard drive or does it work the same way as most internal capture cards? Just wondering...Thanks!

[easteast]

What is TBC and DNR?

[vcd4ever]

TimeBaseCorrector and DigitalNoiseReduction.

vcd4ever.