Strange lines in VHS video capture

[oojimmyoo]

Hi,

I have some old cinefilm that was transferred to VHS years ago and that I am now capturing to convert to mpg2, however there are some strange lines in the capture video. Is this just the interlacing displayed on my monitor or is it something else? Here is a screenshot:



Regards

JT

[jagabo]

You should post screen shots at the capture resolution, not scaled to some arbitrary size. But it looks to me like you have a terrible dot crawl problem. What are you capturing with? Are you using composite or s-video?

[4your:only]

You need time base correction, as the VCR you use cannot supply accurate frames to the capture device. I assume, the picture from vcr on TV looks ok. If not, you might see a (additional) tracking problem. First check, if your capture device/soft has some "stabilisation" feature.
You should try passing the signal through a DVD Recorder if available, because some of them have internal abilities to stabilize a VCR input signal.

[oojimmyoo]

I am using a JVC VCR connected to a Sony Handycam via S-Video with analog to digital pass through switched on that is then connected to the PC via firewire. I am using Sony Vegas to capture the video.

[jagabo]

A S-VHS VCR? Try switching to composite between the VCR and Handycam. That should activate the dot-crawl filter.

[sanlyn]

Agreed, that's some ba dot crawl but damaged tape and line timing playback problems. If it's not possible to use a better VCR, you at least need some sort of line-level tbc pass-thru device -- such as an older Panasonic or DVD recorder. Interlacing has little to do with it, but interlace problems can usually be repaired (standard DVD is 29.97fps interlaced or telecined).

You have not given enough information about your player or capture device. Also, if you are capturing directly to MPEG2 the problems will be more difficult to fix.

[oojimmyoo]

A S-VHS VCR? Try switching to composite between the VCR and Handycam. That should activate the dot-crawl filter.

Hi jagabo, no the VCR is scart out to S-Video in on the Sony HandyCam. I haven't got any composite inputs on the HandyCam.

[4your:only]

Maybe a TV card with composite/S-Vídeo input handy ?

[jagabo]

Hi jagabo, no the VCR is scart out to S-Video in on the Sony HandyCam. I haven't got any composite inputs on the HandyCam.

The problem is there is no comb filter on the Handycam's s-video input -- because a true s-video signal wouldn't require it. Check the VCR's setup menus for composite/s-video output options -- make sure it's set to s-video. The trouble with SCART is that the composite and s-video signals share pins. If the device supplying the signal isn't set to output the correct signal type you will still get a picture on the receiving device -- but it will have problems like dot crawl artifacts, a black/white picture, etc.

Also, check the camcorder's menus for a composite/s-video switch. If you find one, set it to composite. That will activate a dot crawl comb filter.

[danno78]

A S-VHS VCR? Try switching to composite between the VCR and Handycam. That should activate the dot-crawl filter.

Hi jagabo, no the VCR is scart out to S-Video in on the Sony HandyCam. I haven't got any composite inputs on the HandyCam.

If your vcr is VHS and not S-VHS then you can`t use S-Video. You need and active filter to separate luminance signal and chrominance signal from composite. Cables can`t do that. The oposite is true, from S-Video is possible to get composite with cable.
What is the Sony camcorder name? Your cam should have composite input but a special cable is needed. The end with 3.5 mm jack connector go to cam and from the other end the white and red is for audio input and the yellow is for composite.

[danno78]

I tried to replicate your problem and with my Canon MiniDV camcorder. Here are the results:

first image: from regular VHS (no S-Video connector) force composite in S-Video input from camcorder. The AGC fail to set level correctly and the times base errors are exacerbated.

second image: from vcr to Canon cam composite input. The comb filter from Canon camcorder is is a bit beter than Sony.

third image: captured by capture card with 3D comb filter

[sanlyn]

Not bad. Only problem: bottom two images have crushed darks, no detail at all in shadows or hair. Watch those AGC's, they can ruin video levels and it can't be fixed.

[jagabo]

Not bad. Only problem: bottom two images have crushed darks, no detail at all in shadows or hair. Watch those AGC's, they can ruin video levels and it can't be fixed.

The problem is on the tape. There's no detail in the hair in the lighter cap either. And the blacks are in the low single digits in RGB so any necessary adjustments can be made while the video is in YUV with no additional detail loss.

And why bother even mentioning it when the OP's issue is dot crawl, not levels.

[sanlyn]

Well, then, it's beside the point.

[2Bdecided]

I haven't got any composite inputs on the HandyCam.

You can't feed a composite output into an S-video input and expect it to work. People selling adapters to make this electrical connection are crooks

However, it's amazing if you camcorder has S-video input, but no composite input. Maybe you need the right cable, or the right menu setting to enable composite input somehow/somewhere?

Cheers,
David.