weird distortion when capturing from particular VHS tape

[yegres]

I think have very weird problem and until this point I wasn't even sure what to look for or how to describe it to others in this forum. So, now I came up with the idea to include screen shots of what is happening.
So, I am trying to capture some old Russian cartoons using ATI MMC 7.5 (I have AIW Radeon). The cartoons are broken onto two VHS NTSC tapes . The tapes are studio made. I have no problems with one of the tapes. However, when I try to capture another one, I get picture distortion in the way that can be seen at http://sergey-home.lk.net/distortion . The distortion may take place in different parts of the tape and not necessarily in the same ones if the tap is played over again. As you can see on the screen shots, sometimes it affects only top part of the picture, sometimes half of it, and sometimes whole picture. On the other hand, if I simply play this tape from VCR to TV there is no problem. I tried to copy the tape, but the behavior is the same – the copied tape plays fine onto TV, but not onto MMC. I tried to play it on three different VCRs. I tried to take the video signal from one VCR to another and then to the computer. I tried to use both RCA composite and coax outputs. The same story and only with this tape. I really have my doubts that the tape is protected by something like Macrovision since this is Russian tape, but everything is possible. I did apply Stinky's Macrovision patch. But nothing helped. And again, what really confuses me the fact that one of this tapes is fine and another has this problem.
If anyone has any idea what's wrong let me know. Please do take a look at this URL since this is the best explanation of what is happening:

http://sergey-home.lk.net/distortion

By the way, if I tried to capture this tape with some other software, like Ulead, I get the same effect.

Thanks for help.

[Majtolycus]

I'll be damned! I thought I was the only loser getting this distortion from my ATI MMC software.

I use a Sima Color Corrector Pro to create the best possible copy quality for video tapes, as I tend to make many, many copies of master tapes for customers (no I'm not a pirate -- I'm an amateur videographer). I thought perhaps that it was the SCC's fault so I unhooked it... no such luck. I also tried turning off the "reality regenerator" in my new VCRs, even though the problem was present with my old Panasonics too. Still a no go. I have noticed that this distortion does not carry over onto the recorded tapes -- so it is definitely something in the MMC software, not the RCA cords or VCRs.

Another thing I noticed is that this problem is specific to the latest version of MMC -- I used to have an original ATI AIW card before I upgraded to this AIW 128 Pro, and I never had these distortion problems with the old card/software.

Just food for thought... although I don't have an answer, I can tell you that you're not alone. And of course I'd love to hear from anyone who has a fix or suggestions.

--=Major

[Rich927]

I find that when I capture my old VCR tapes with my DV Camcorder using the SVideo out from my JVC SVHS VCR, I get less generation loss. I copy from the VCR SVideo out to the Camcorder SVideo in. Now my old analog tape is digital. If I need to make copies, I use the digital copy. I can also run the DV thru the computer, clean it up, add titles and make CD,s. When neccessary I run signal thru a Sima color correction or an old Radio Shack video gain amp.

[yegres]

Thank you guys for sharing your experience. At least now I know I am not the only one with the problem. Though sad that nobody seems to know the answer to this crappy problem.


I am sorry but the above specified URL was not accesible whole last night and will be today. So, for those who are still interested in the matter, please go directly to


http://mywebpages.comcast.net/stellscompuserge/

[agentxox]

I am not sure what causes this, but it looks like the sync signal is slipping due to a slightly-off modulation.
I don't know how to fix it though...
good luck!

[yegres]

Anybody has any thoughts on this reply I got through private emailing?

Making copies of the tape will only further degregate the quality and increase defects. It is apparent that the Mpeg2 encoder does not like something on the tape...* The better quality (more professional) the encoder/decoder, the more likely it is looking for a broadcast, clean and stable signal to work with.* I would suggest you try other encoder/decoder boards...Even a cheaper version may help....











******* If that fails, you may simply have some bad portions of the tape that analog playback to an analog tv doesn't really care about....











******* Also use the most stable vcr that you can find as jitter could also affect the input to the encoder even though I would expect both tapes to have that problem if it was related to jitter....* Make sure your VCR tracking is set up and you might want to clean the heads to be sure you are getting the best chance to lock on to this signal.











******* Last thought....Find a video lab somewhere that might have a complete stand alone MPEG2 encoder/decoder and play it back through it....

[wfiguero]

Your problem seems to be macrovision protection. Do a search with "ati macrovision" or go to www.rage3d.comm forum for more information.

Thanks,
Wilfredo