A new VHS->DV capture issue?

[cbkilner]

I've been transferring VHS to DVD using a JVC S-VHS VCR, either a Dazzle Hollywood DV or a MiniDV camcorder for A->D, iMovie, and iDVD.

In the past, I had time base issues with older tapes causing dropped frames, but the video calibration on the JVC seemed to have solved that issue (despite it not being a high-end model with TBC).

Now I have what I think is a new issue (or perhaps a different time base issue?). Now I'm getting extra frames in a very strange pattern.

In a ten frame sequence, I'll get 1-2-3-4-5-4-6-7-8-9-10 with that extra frame 4. The 4 to 6 jump causes a noticable jitter in the video. I might get one or two in a few minute span, and then 70-80 in a 10-15 second sequence.

As background, I first tried to convert this tape with the Dazzle, but for the first time ever, I got kernal panics at about the same spot about 21-22 minutes in. I then used my Canon ZR60 to capture without any KPs... but now I have hundreds of extra frames in iMovie. My workflow is to capture to a 60GB partition on an internal 80GB 7200rpm drive in an iMac DV (400MHz) with iMovie 4.0.1, and then transfer the iMovie to an external 80GB 7200rpm Firewire drive that I mount to an eMac to burn in iDVD4.

I've used the Canon ZR60 in the past to convert to DV with no problems using this same setup.

Any ideas? I posted here on the Mac board since it might be an iMovie or iMac DV issue (the FW ports on the iMac DV are glacially slow compared to my iBook and eMac).

[decay]

i don't yet own a bridge, but i've not read too many good things about the Dazzle bridges.

datavideo dac-100 and Canopus advc-100 score the highest. datavideo can be bought for under $200.

dk

[pants]

have used the canopus advc-100 and if i were to buy one i'd get this guy. never had any troubles capturing with it. only other one i've used is the sony one, but i'm pretty sure they don't make it anymore. a few friends also have the canopus and have never had any problems with it.

canopus also just came out with another model, which is the 100 w/ a built in tbc, i think it's called the 300 or 500, it's on there site. not sure how much more it is, but you might want to check that out too.

[Frobozz]

Yes, the Dazzle belongs in a landfill. But you shouldn't be having any problems using the Canon DV camcorder.

My best guess is there is something that needs maintenance in your Mac's system. Have you repaired permissions and run Disk First Aid or DiskWarrior? If you don't keep your Mac awake overnight, then download MacJanitor to clean up your cache files.

Try the old standby of shutting down your Mac, waiting 5 minutes and restarting. There seems to be something that's causing a hiccup in writing the imported file, and this may fix it.

[cbkilner]

I can get a JVC VCR with TBC for $270 - the ADVC300 runs at least $480 (lists for $549) - but thanks for the info.

Yeah, the Dazzles have a bad rep, but this is the first time I've had any problems in 2 years of conversions.

Likewise, the analog-to-DV conversion of my Canon ZR60 works fine, but tends to get cut off from the computer if it has a drop out or unrecorded gap on the tape since it has no tape in it. I might try recording to DV tape and then exporting to the iMac to see if that solves the problem.

Like I said, I've had time base problems due to old, stretched tapes. The JVC seemed to fix it. With old, stretched tapes, you expect to get DROPPED frames due frame sync issues. What the hell would cause ADDED frames in the wierd way I'm getting - where it goes one frame back and then picks back up 2 frames ahead?

[cbkilner]

Have you repaired permissions and run Disk First Aid or DiskWarrior? If you don't keep your Mac awake overnight, then download MacJanitor to clean up your cache files.

Actually, I run Disk First Aid and MacJanitor's "run all" about once or twice a week ... BUT, I didn't do any repairs/maintainence after the kernal panics ... DOH!

I'll do my regular maintainence and run my copy of Disk Warrior - Thanks for the idea.

[cbkilner]

Well, a combo of MacJanitor, Disk First Aid (some permissions repaired on each HD involved), Disk Warrior (new directories fixed a dozen or so problems), and Monster cables seem to have fixed the issue - although I now get a couple dropped frames at the very start of some sequences, it is acceptable (I'll edit them out), I no longer have the reversing-frame problem.

[decay]

thanks for the follow-up!