anybody have experience with TBC-100?

[V20]

I new to this forum and have done a lot of reading in the last few weeks to try to learn as much as possible.

I'm just getting into converting my VHS tapes to DVD and have realized I need a TBC to help with dropped frames, etc. in some of the transfers.

I was at the point of deciding between the Datavideo TBC-100 and TBC-1000. I know the 1000 gets good mentions on this website, but there is not much mention of the 100 here.

The 100 would be more suitable as I could just fit it to a PCI slot in my computer. One less 'box' around here with cables hanging out, etc.

Adorama has a $60 price difference ($230 vs. $290) between the two models, so I decided to go for the TBC-100. I've ordered it from them, but have been told it's on 'backorder' (which is frustrating, if it's out of stock their website should say so).

Anybody here use a TBC-100? Like it? Good/bad results?

[gshelley61]

I would rather have the TBC-1000 because it is standalone and can be used to provide a processed video signal to your computer capture card, a DVD recorder, a camcorder or VCR, etc. Plus, it makes it much easier to use in different combinations with additional processors (like a proc amp or color corrector, for example). And, it's portable... it can be used anywhere, even with someone else's gear. That's lot's of added versatility for only $60, IMHO.

[vhelp]

Hi,

I have the TBC-100 card. Its not really a PCI card (no pins or anything
electronic'wise on the edge that meats the board. Its just a smaller
design for convenience I guess. I don't know. I honestly don't understand
the logic behind this design

But, it does work very well. I mainly use it (when I need it) (and for
convenience) for eliminating MV, or feeding an S-Video source into my
Composite-only connector, such as my Rage Fury Pro cards'.
.
I have this card inside my pc all the time, and its always-on. Because I
don't have any need to move it around, a stand-alone one (like the 1000
unit) is not needed for my purposes.
If you have plans for moving devices from one room to another, and a TBC
is vital in your work, than the TBC-100 might not be what you want.

Bare in mind, that most stand-alone TBC units can not fix everything. There
is always going to something that a *given* unit or device will not fix, and
there you go, running out the door to spend some more money. That's the
way this game is, unfortunately. But you learn a lot from it. This is
how "scars" are formed.., from experiences like this, that shouldn't have
happend, but did, and you learned from it ...and can pass it on

There is also talk about Line Correctors (they are usually found in JVC
units (VCRS)) though I've never seen any stand-alone units ones, like TBC's.
It would be nice if there were such units, cause I'd like to try my hand
at a Line Corrector/TBC, on a few VHS tapes I have, that this device/unit might
actually fix.

One thing that you have to be certain about, before you go out and buy
a TBC or Line Corrector/TBC etc) is to rule out that the issue you have
are not related to the VHS tape/condition it's in, and your VCR, and its
capabilities, etc. Sometimes, all it takes is an adjustment to your VCR,
or a new VCR.
.
Also, most all Commercial VHS tapes (Movies) are MV enabled.

Reading the links below (after pic) will help you to understand some of
the issues w/ VHS tapes, and TBC vs. Line-TBC etc (pics taken from the
link just below it) ...



Below is a good example of TBC vs. Line Corrector (or Line-TBC) and makes
for some more things to think about and learn, etc ...

* Problem With DataVideo TBC-1000 ... Very good demo - must read!!

* TBC-1000 Before and after pics? - more pics, but little confusing. Good read.

Good luck,
-vhelp 3025

[V20]

Vhelp, thanks for the info about the TBC-100. I knew it was a completely 'passive' device to the computer's bus and OS (it just draws 5 and 12 volt power from the computer power supply). From the pix I've seen on the net, it looked like it had no electrical connection to the PCI bus at all.

Someone mentioned on another thread that possibly (theorectically) the TBC-100 could be affected by signals inside the PC. I suppose the other disadvantage is that it takes up a PCI slot on the computer, which could be a problem if someone only has 1 or 2 free PCI slots left.

I've already read the two threads you posted, they were most interesting, esp. the one above with the 4 pictures.

I do have several tapes that do that very same thing (and ihe 'squiggles' change slightly from scene to scene as well), so perhaps I will need a JVC with the line TBC.

[vhelp]

Beleive it or not, I don't have the TBC-100 in a slot. Because I have my
PC's case door open all the time, I have TBC laying out on a 1" felt cussion.
It's ben that way for many months. Its not in anyone's way
I had asked if anyone knew how I could rig up a power supply (I have many)
to this TBC so that I could use it as an external device, but my request
went ignored (so don't ask how to do it)

-vhelp 3033

[HatchetMan]

http://www.kmcsonline.com/casemod/tbc/

[BrainStorm69]

Nice link! Looks interesting.

[lordsmurf]

Interesting, but the AVT-8710 is also about $210

[HatchetMan]

Interesting, but the AVT-8710 is also about $210

$195 but always seems to be outta stock, too bad.

[V20]

Well, I got my Datavideo TBC-100 11 days after I ordered it. It solves my frame dropping problem, my worst VHS tape (3rd generation or worse) was dropping over 10% frames, now it is dropping 1-2 frames in 30 minutes (using HUFFyuv codec).

It didn't do a thing for the "wiggling" horizontal displacement problem (and I wasn't expecting it to, after what I read on this site.)

Looks like my next purchase is going to be a JVC HR-S9911 VCR. (All the places on the Internet that offer it refurbished, overstock, etc. seem to be sold out, not surprising either.)