Odd results when trying to convert VHS

[123fish123]

I have an old All-in-wonder radeon that I use to watch TV on the PC and to capture video. I want to convert some of my VHS tapes to DVD so I unhooked the coaxial cable from the card and hooked the VCR out coaxial cable into the card. I was thinking this would be the easiest way. They make a separate input where you can use the RCA video output from the VCR and put it into this converter and into the card but I figured I’d try it the other way.

Well, the VCR input when I go to capture looks very choppy on the computer. Why would this be? Is it a different type of signal then what comes out of the wall through a normal broadcast?

Just confused as to why this doesn’t seem to work. I know many of you are experts and will probably be able to tell me right away. Probably a different type of signal but I just don’t understand it. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[GMaq]

Hi,
Your video looks choppy because more than likely your source tape has "Macrovision" copy protection that intentionally puts errors in the video signal to prevent copying, Your ATI card also has macrovision detection to prevent copying. Using the coax is easy but will give you poor quality compared to using the yellow, red and white composite jacks or even better red, white and S-Video jack if your VCR has it. There are ways to correct the macrovision, but no cheap ways that work well, you will need a VCR with a Time Base Corrector (TBC) built in or a separate in-line TBC, Some people have had success with DV Camcorder Pass-Thru but I have never done that myself. Hope this helps!

[123fish123]

Let me clarify, these are not protected tapes (no marcrovision). These are home movies. Now what? Shouldn't the video come through the same as if it were coming out of the wall?

[SingSing]

Try recording from a known good source like cable into your AIW VCR input. If that's okay then your VCR RF output has weak signal and weak sync. Use the audio/video cables with a $50 video stabiliser is the most popular away to capture VHS with AIW.

[Marvingj]

Video needs to be stabilized, either with a TBC or a Video Stabilizer .

[123fish123]

THANKS! Two of you have mentioned video stabilizers. Can you provide a link to a good one if you have the time so I know I am getting the right thing? THANKS for your help!!!

[SingSing]

You may want to look at threads like these too : https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=308810

[rtkeen]

Just a thought as to why it looks choppy ...

I'm reading that you're trying to go into the RF input of the video card. If this isn't correct, then ignore me ...

Generally, digital video capture algorithms will have different horizontal lock algorithms for VCR versus RF. With an RF input, you will want a slower lock in order for noise to be ignored. For a VCR source, you want a faster lock. The reason for this is that a VCR switches heads at the end of every field, and this switch creates a long and/or short video line. So the video capture has to quickly re-acquire lock before the beginning of the next field of video.

So I'm going to guess that the video card software is, by default, setting up for a slow lock for the RF input and would set up for a fast lock for the RCA input. Your setup, then, would not allow it to entirely lock onto the VCR head switch.

If you can go in the RCA jack, you'll get MUCH better video and audio anyway (less processing).

Regards,
Ron Keen

[123fish123]

Thanks! I'll go with the RCA input that came with the card and let you know how I make out!!!

[thecoalman]

Let me clarify, these are not protected tapes (no marcrovision). These are home movies.

You would be about the millionth person who said that. Use at least the RCA cables as suggested.

Here's the basic checklist.
A)If you can plug this VCR into a TV and the tape plays fine.
B)If you can plug a clean signal like cable from the wall ant the card works fine.
C)You plug the VCR into the ATI and it looks like shit....


Then the card is probably misinterpreting errors on your old tape as MV. If there is white band across the top of the video I can tell you with almost 99.9% certainty that is what it is.

www.nepadigital.com/mv