Is there any way to fix this video?

[gjb0219]

I have an NTSC format VHS tape of a rare B/W TV program which was copied for me many years ago from what was apparantly at that time the only available source, a PAL format videotape.

The person who made the NTSC VHS transfer for me did the best he could with the equipment he had and the video is certainly watchable, especially given its rarity.

But now that I'm in the process of transferring my VHS tapes to DVD, and have had great success with my current setup

* playing VHS tapes on either an JVC 9800 S-VHS or a Toshiba M781

* processing the signal through a Panasonic DMR-ES10

* recording on a JVC DR-M30S

I'm wondering if there is any way I could possibly "fix" this video.

Here are two frames from the video, showing the vertical (retrace?) lines which travel down the screen from top to bottom througout the program, the product of a less than perfect PAL to NTSC transfer.





I don't know if there would be any benefit at this point to using a TBC, which in any event I don't have.

I was hoping there might be some way to improve - if not fix - the video using software. I've been researching filters for VideoDub and AviSynth - having used both programs in the past - but so far have been unable to find any filters which might be able to address these image flaws.

Does anyone in the videohelp community have any suggestions? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[lordsmurf]

Is this error visible with the JVC S-VHS TBC turned off?

[gjb0219]

Lordsmurf:

Yes, the error is visible with the JVC S-VHS TBC turned off. Whether the JVC's TBC is on or off seems to make no difference whatsoever.

[lordsmurf]

Then I would guess it's too embedded in the video, and that no hardware or software can fix it at this point in time. Just salvage what you can, and hope that someday you run across a better copy.

[gjb0219]

Lordsmurf:

I suspected that might be the case.

And many thanks for your fast response.

[anitract]

For those of us who are curious, what's the name of the TV show?

[gjb0219]

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, a half-hour program directed by Orson Welles in 1958, was the pilot for a proposed anthology tv series that never sold. Very innovative in style, Welles used a mixture of live action, stills and his own narrartion to tell the story.

To my knowledge this program was only shown once on TV, in the late 50's in one of those Summer series that the networks scheduled to play off unsold pilots. The only US video release I'm aware was as an "extra" on a long out-of-print - probably P.D. - VHS tape of one of Welles' performances in Shakespeare play on TV. My tape comes from some unknown PAL source.

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NOTE: After examining this video in more detail using VideoDub I've discovered that although the "lines" that I'm trying to eliminate seem to be in ever single frame, that is not actually the case. When I step frame-by-frame through the video many of the frames are perfectly fine (line-free). So now I'm thinking of trying some AviSynth Filters (such as MSU Field Shift Fixer) so see if I can possibly improve the image.

[anabellita]

I see under your ava that you're from New York. I'm not, but have visited, and was fascinated by the Museum of Television and Radio. They may have the show in their archives, and there may be a way of buying a copy from them?

[gjb0219]

Anabellita:

Thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, the Museum of Television and Radio is an incredible resource which I was taking advantage of when it first opened (back in the 1970's?). When my daughter was very young I took her there regularly to share with her some of the TV shows that I grew up watching in the 1950's, especially the work of such comics as Lucille Ball, Sid Caesar an "Your Show of Shows" and various "Colgate Comedy Hours."

In fact if I remember correctly it was probably at this Museum that I first saw "The Fountain of Youth" at a screening many years ago, but the last time I went, which was probably about 10 years ago, they did not have this program available in their library for personal viewing. Although the Museum has many DVDs and videos for sale in their gift shop, they cannot and do not sell any of the programming in their library; this is part of the agreement with the producers and filmmakers who donate their shows to the library.

As I said, my copy of this program is certainly watchable but I'm still going to try to clean it up if I can.

[anabellita]

that must be wonderful, being able to share with your kids the shows you grew up with... sorry to hear they only share the shows on premises, though... imagine a library that would force you to read all the books inside? Actually, I do know a library like that (Paris's Bibliothèque Publique d'Information) and it's just no fun... I can understand the logic behind the policy, but, well, what can I say? part of the joy of watching a show and reading a book is doing it on your favorite sofa, while having a cup of whatever you like to drink. It's an essential part of the experience. A shame.

Guess you'll have to watch that copy then...