Toshiba interlacing (VHS to DVD-R)

[danielmak]

I just purchased a Toshiba DRW2 and started to transfer some old soccer VHS tapes to DVD but I'm getting some interlacing on the ESPN logo and with the white lines on the field. I'm using RCA output/inputs to transfer since my VHS doesn't have S-Video, have the recorder set to 4:3 PS, and recording on 2 hour mode. While the VHS tapes are not in the best condition (some recorded at 4 hour mode and some at 6 hour mode) they look very good considering. The matches were recorded on cable about 5-6 years ago so this isn't a macrovision thing.

Is there a setting in the Toshiba recorders that I can use to fix this problem or am I screwed? (I assume that I could try to use a program like ffmpeg--I'm a Mac guy--to deinterlace after the fact but I doubt that would work well and adds an extra step that I don't want to fool with.) Thanks.

[DVWannaB]

Interlacing is not the problem. De-interlacing will take away image quality and since it is VHS in LP and EP modes.......bad idea.

First. Are you watching your DVD disc on the computer? If you are, then that could be the nexxus of your problem? Watch it on your regular TV, this will take care of the interlacing artifacts. Remember, computer monitors do not handle interlacing very well. TVs do.

Second. If watching on TV shows this, then did you see the same thing while you were recording? If so, check your cables. Change it to different RCA cables and monitor the capture on a regular TV screen. If problem persists then swtich to a different VHS player, if at all possible, and see results.

Third. If none of the above work, do some testing on your recorder to make sure the tuner is working properly. See how it handles signal from cable or satellite through the RCA connectors. See how it handles other VHS tapes (try different types).

[Marvingj]

The Video will not lookk all that freat since you use Extended Play on the VCR, But Toshiba does have Flex Record. I doubt it will help, due to you use EP on the tapes.

[danielmak]

Thanks for the replies. I called Toshiba to ask if there was a feature on the recorder. The guy I spoke with said that the old tape had probably deteriorated a bit and I should try to transfer it to another tape and use that tape to transfer to DVD-R. While I was getting the tape-to-tape together I found that the interlacing problem was solved. Somehow the DVD recorder needed another DVD recorder in the middle. I can't say that I fully understand why, and the recordings still don't look amazing because of my original recording speeds, but the interlacing problem is gone. Thanks for the tips. Take care.

[DVWannaB]

I am confused here. So you never did a tape-2-tape transfer right? I would be very surprised if that worked anyway. All you are doing in that method is transferring data to another meduim that is lossy and lose MORE quality. That one is a head-scratcher.

So you solved by going from VHS----DVD Recorder-----DVD Recorder, right? Sounds like you didnt have an interlace problem (interlace never is), but more some kind of synch/time-based/stabilization problem, which the middle DVD Recorder help to solve.

[danielmak]

I am confused here. So you never did a tape-2-tape transfer right? I would be very surprised if that worked anyway. All you are doing in that method is transferring data to another meduim that is lossy and lose MORE quality. That one is a head-scratcher.

So you solved by going from VHS----DVD Recorder-----DVD Recorder, right? Sounds like you didnt have an interlace problem (interlace never is), but more some kind of synch/time-based/stabilization problem, which the middle DVD Recorder help to solve.

Sorry, I meant to say, a second VCR, not DVD Recorder. So I had the follwing setup using RCA cables: VCR (playing old VHS tape)>VCR (turned on but not recording)>DVD Recorder>TV. This worked. It could have been a problem other than interlacing but the way the images looked were the same as interlacing problems I've had in the past. I don't have a screenshot for the VHS>DVD-R interlacing problems but here's a similar screenshot for that past problem (diagnosed in the Mac forum as interlacing):


Instead of the lines appearing across the numbers on the players' uniforms (as we see in this screenshot) the same kinds of lines appeared on the white lines on the soccer field and across the ESPN logo.

BTW, I agree about transferring one lossy format to another. That's why I opted just to test the second VCR in the middle rather than actually transferring the tape. I don't see how a new 2 hour/SP VHS recording is going to help an old 4 or 6 hour VHS recording. Take care.

Daniel

[jagabo]

Are you seeing the comb artifacts on TV or are you looking at them on a computer?

[DVWannaB]

Daniel,

Just keep in mind that interlacing is not a sign that you have "inferior" or "problem" video. Interlace is what it is. Its part of the broadcast technology for some 50+ years now.

Also, interlaced video from VHS will not look good on computer monitor. Like I said in an earlier post, computer monitors were made moreso for progressive video (ie. does not have interlacing). But throw that same video into a VCR or convert to DVD (interlaced) and it is fine. TVs wer made to covert interlacing in smooth video.

On the other hand, if your intention is to watch your conversions primarily from a computer and not TV, then go ahead and de-interlace. Video will be easier to watch on the eyes.

[lordsmurf]

I still would not deinterlace. It adds other problems. use a player like VLC, and then select one of the deinterlace options on playback. It will look fine on a progressive display, no interlace combs. And without ruining the original video.

[DVWannaB]

yes, good point smurf. Forgot about that.

[danielmak]

Sorry for the delayed reply. I've been away from the computer for the past few days. The artifacts that I am seeing is on the TV not on the computer. (I can't watch video on the computer even though my monitor is a decent size.) The image that I used as an example was a screenshot from a computer because it showed the same effect that I was seeing on my TV before I did the VHS>VHS>DVD Recorder set up. So the picture of Luis Garcia, is an image from a different soccer game. It was used because it showed the same problem. Thanks again.