Pioneer 520H: VCR to DVD transfer and drop/freeze frames. Solutions?

[Rotablator]

I have purchased the Pioneer 520H DVR and have been happy with precise recording from current programs off satellite. However have had problems with transferring my VHS collection to DVD. I have a large archive (435 tapes) that have been well preserved and are in good condition going back 20 years. When I play the tapes in the conversion process they appear clear on video with few distortions on TV. But when I view the same video recorded to the 520H I find the video "freezes" every few seconds with frame replications creating a skipping or disrupted appearance.

On frame by frame assessment the video frame duplicates or freezes a frame 2-4 times at these points. I believe the description is frame dropping. It seems the problem varies though persists despite the attempt with different VCR units, cables, and despite head cleaning.

I contacted Pioneer and had this response: "The video signal from the tapes may have drops in the signal strength. Sometimes, customers have just copied from one tape to another and then to the DVR unit and resolved the video breakups."

Transferring these tapes for preservation is enough of a time task, copying to new VHS tape and then transferring seems even longer. Has anyone found a solution for a similar issue or efficient suggestion for this problem? A TBC or different DVR device?
My VCRs are Panasonic pv-9450 and pv-8661, and Mitsubishi HS-u56p.

[slacker]

You already stated that your tapes are well-preserved. Therefore, I would take the Pioneer box back!

[chris.newbold]

I have my own problems with vcr transfers, which are never easy, but that does sound more faulty than anything I have ever witnessed before. It could be a faulty box.

If you can try the same tapes recorded onto someone else's DVD R it would help you work out if its the tapes/vcr or dvdr.


if not, a tbc may help although there are others on this forum more expert than me.

[Paul_Smith]

I would not consider ANY tape that is 20 years old to be in good condition.

I finished all of my conversions 200+, some of them 20+ years old using a Pioneer 420 and a Sima Box which I would highly recommend. Some of those tapes are only going to give you one play before degrading.

http://www.studioyou.net/VHS_Life_Expectancy.htm

At 20° C (68° F) and 50% RH, an estimated LE value of ~30 years is indicated. If the storage temperature is raised to 25° C (76° F) at 50% RH, the LE is reduced to ~10 years. However, if the humidity is raised to 80% at 20° C (68° F), the LE is reduced to ~5 years.

[davideck]

Have you tried transferring a VHS tape via the DVD recorder RF input? This might improve things if the signal strength is low or has drops.

It might also be that the vertical sync interval off tape is distorted. Your TV may be less susceptible to this than the frame synchronizer in the DVD recorder. Do you notice the picture jumping or rolling when played directly from the VCR to the TV? You might try adjusting the tracking manually during chase play to see if the freezing can be eliminated or minimized.

[slacker]

Do you still have issues when transferring footage from a NEW VHS tape?