Question For GShelley or anyone else

[mwkurt]

Hello,

I now have an Elite Video BVP-4 and a Vidicraft Detailer II to process my video. In what order should these pieces of equipment go, or should I even run them together? Just would like some input as to what I should try. Also, the Detailer II came without a manual. Does anyone have one they could photocopy or sell?
Thanks,
Mark

[gshelley61]

Hey, Mark -

OK, what I have usually been doing is sharpening the video before running it through the color corrector (in your case, Source --> Detailer II --> BVP-4 --> capture card/DVD recorder). However, in some cases I will reverse it and correct prior to sharpening. It depends on the source. VHS has been more variable in this regard than laserdisc.

The Detailer is simple to operate. The Detail and Sharpen knobs enhance the image by boosting video high frequencies, and the VNX and Black (or Core) knobs reduce some of the noise and grain brought out of the image when it is enhanced. What I do is use the Sharpen knob first, then add the Detail. Watch the right edges of objects for ghosting as you increase the Sharpness... turn the knob until you achieve a sharper picture, without too much grain or ghosting. Then turn the Detail knob up a bit, but don't add any grain.

Using my Detailer III with laserdiscs, I can push the Sharpness about 1/4 to 1/3 of a turn, and the Detail about 1/6 to 1/4 of a turn.

I generally do not use the VNX or Black (Core) knobs. I just use less enhancement to start with to avoid the added noise problem. But do experiment and make some test recordings. Be subtle with your enhancements and corrections... if you are too heavy handed, the finished result may not look that great. Less is more. Be especially gentle with the BVP-4. It is a very powerful corrector and it is easy to go way out of standard with it (as far as video luma levels, black and white clip, etc.)