VHS Capture Problem

[ahrmny]

I have a Matrox RT.X100, Adobe Video Collection, and a P4 system matched for these components. I haven't had any problem capturing any kind of video until now.
I've captured many other VHS and DVD materials without a hitch. (My external DVD player has Macrovision disabled.)

I have a security surveillence video(VHS) that I am trying to capture and put on DVD.

Whenever I try to capture or record it to either Premiere Pro, another VHS machine, a DV Camcorder, or even Matrox Tools w/ the Camcorder as a DV converter only - I get intermittent blurring/distorted waves.
I can watch the video perfectly from the VCR straight to a TV or in the LCD window of the Camcorder, but no matter how I try to record it - no dice. I still get this intermittent blur/distorted wave.

I thought it was copy protected so I bought a SIMA SCC-2 which is supposed to correct the sync problem and allow me to copy any VHS, DVD, or DV. When I connect the SCC-2 between the VHS deck and Matrox/Premiere, I get a quick flash (1 sec.) of the video playing, then a BLANK screen and a display message from the SIMA telling me "No Signal". So I immediately connected the VHS deck straight to a TV, while the tape was still playing - the video was fine - no distortion.

BTW, I tried another VCR deck - same problem. The tape plays fine until I connect the deck to anything other than straight to a TV/monitor.

Someone suggested that the problem has something to do with the fact that surveillance recorders record so slowly (they can record 12-24 hrs. on a 6 hr. VHS tape.)

Does anyone have any idea what's going on with this tape. Why can't I record it to another source?

Thanks.

[pijetro]

I have a Matrox RT.X100, Adobe Video Collection, and a P4 system matched for these components.

First of all, let me say, i'm very jealous...

Secondly, perhaps it's as easy as recopying to another VHS (second generation), and recapture..Just a guess, but perhaps a bad tape is making you drop frames during digital capture...

Good luck!!

[ahrmny]

...perhaps it's as easy as recopying to another VHS (second generation), and recapture..

Whenever I try to capture or record it to either Premiere Pro, another VHS machine, a DV Camcorder, or even Matrox Tools w/ the Camcorder as a DV converter only - I get intermittent blurring/distorted waves.

As I stated, I've tried copying to another tape. And I don't have dropped frames - ever (so far), but I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks.

[Marco33]

I have a security surveillence video(VHS) that I am trying to capture and put on DVD.

Did the tape that was original used to record the surveillance have macro on it?

If you record over a macro tape a bunch of times, the tape may get so bad the macro comes through no matter what.

How about trying another surveillance tape to see if you get the same thing.

[lordsmurf]

Survellience tapes are normally pretty bad.

[ahrmny]

Did the tape that was original used to record the surveillance have macro on it?

Not that I'm aware of. Macro is extremely rare for this type of recording venue (casino surveillance). But there's a good chance that the original recording was done on a recycled tape; however, what I have is a copy of a surveillance tape duped with a supposedly normal VCR. I don't know how using recycled tape for the original would affect this copy which plays fine - I just can't capture it or dupe it.
It's possible that this copy has macro, but the SIMA SCC-2 should have circumvented that.
I'm in the process of finding out the brand and model number of the recorder that duped the original. Perhaps I can get better results using the same recorder that made this copy.