Hotronic AR-31 TBC and VCR/VTR?

[raminolta]

Dear all,
I have recently started transfering/digitizing my VHS collection through the following schemma:

- VCR JVC HRS8000U
-> Canopus ADVC-110 (S-video connection)
-> PC (firewire connection)

As my attempts to improve the quality of the output, i purchased a Hotronic AR-31 TBC and tried using it as in the following schemma:

- VCR JVC HRS8000U
-> Hotronic AR-31 TBC (S-video connection)
-> Canopus ADVC-110 (S-video connection)
-> PC (firewire connection)


Unfortunately as soon as i place the TBC unit on the way, all goes black on the monitor and nothing is captured!
My initial thought was that the TBC unit is out of order. I contacted the seller (i bought this off an auction on Ebay for $120!) about the problem. He wrote back claiming the unit must be in working order and suggested me to have a professional checking/testing the machine. As of now, i don´t know how i can find a professional to test the unit.
However, in the meanwhile another idea has come to my mind. I am thinking perhaps i have picked up the wrong device for the task. In Hotronic AR-31´s specifications it says it is a VTR TBC nothing about VCR/VHS is mentioned there. I tried googling on the TBC and the meaning of VTR (and its difference with VCR!) but i could not find any helpful information on the internet.
My primary question is if this device is a legitimate TBC for tranferring from VCR to PC, or else, this is not indeed, made for this task?!

I can´t imagine not being able to properly use the Hotronic device since well, there is really not much room there in how to use the device. Just connecting wires and then trying to modify contrast/hue etc. on the remote control. So i think it should not be because i don´t know how to use the device since it´s not at all a complicated machine!

I am looking forward to hearing back from you on the issue and i would really appreciate your help since currently have no other way to find the answers to my questions?

Best regards, Ramin

[davideck]

The output should look as good as the input. If not, there may be a problem.
Did you try viewing the TBC output directly to a monitor?
Did you try the composite I/O ?

[raminolta]

I just noticed the unit has no composite I/O! I has another type of input/output though. I does not fit any of my cable types (composite, cable TV/antenna).

So S-video is the only way i can try this out with.
Also the unit does not get warm at all which is odd since electronic devices normally get warm when used!?


Regards, Ramin

[raminolta]

Here is the link to the manufacturer's homepage for the product:

http://www.hotronics.com/ar31.html

Ramin

[davideck]

Is the power LED on?

[BrainStorm69]

I just noticed the unit has no composite I/O! I has another type of input/output though. I does not fit any of my cable types (composite, cable TV/antenna).

So S-video is the only way i can try this out with.
Also the unit does not get warm at all which is odd since electronic devices normally get warm when used!?


Regards, Ramin

You could go buy some BNC to composite adapters to check the composite output. The adapters are not expensive.

Also, the suggestion to try the output from the TBC directly to your TV is a good one.

[pijetro]

Nice Unit !!!

[raminolta]

Hi again,
I am sorry to have bothered you about this. I solved the problem! The battery in the remote was drained out so that when i was pressing the composite to S-video switch, it was not switching accordingly. As soon as i replaced the batteries with new ones and switched to s-video it is now working!
Though at this point when i compare the output with the TBC to the output without it, i am not sure which one is better! However, i am going to do extensive tests and comparisons before posing my questions here.

Thanks for the attention.

Regards, Ramin

[pijetro]

Why are you doubling up on your TBC??
I'm assuming that your JVC has one already??

[raminolta]

Thanks for the reply. I did try to find out if my JVC has a TBC or not. There is nothing mentioned of this in the manual, nor could i find any information on the internet about this. Do you know of sure if this particular model has TBC built into it?

Ramin

[pijetro]

Sorry, i jumped the gun on this one..
Although, i'm sure playback is fantastic, I can't find anything relating to a built in TBC...

As far as comparisons go, perhaps you should try out a "not so good tape", and do a before TBC, and after TBC frame by frame comparison..I'm sure the differences are minimal..
Upload the frame grabs for us to see...

Otherwise, i'll just shut up from here on

[mattso]

Yes I believe the "TBC" is up there clearly in your functions menu (if it's there at all). It's not the "Stabilizer".

I have a HR6970 which I think is probably the best available where I live for the price. It is S-video of course, but doesn't have a built-in TBC. It does have the picture controls, EDIT, AUTO, and SOFT. It doesn't have SHARP. It has the "Stabilizer" too.

An outboard TBC is always good value.