Capture from VCR or Camera?

[thomasj]

Just curious regarding my captures, I've captured some footage via my ADVC-110 using my cheap Samsung VCR, and I recaptured via my old Panasonic VHS-C camcorder (composite only). Both look pretty much the same for the most part although I've noticed some tracking issues in some parts of the VCR captures... These seem a little better directly from the camera... I also notice that camera doesn't output the nasty tracking messages--which I don't want to see. I'd like the hear some suggestions from the expects here regarding this... I'm sure the answer various from set to setup, but maybe some general advise why or why I shouldn't just capture from the camera. (This was the camera that the footage was originally shot under...)
Thanks

[redwudz]

If the camcorder also outputs over a FireWire connection to the computer, they should be virtually the same. DV is a set format and most all devices should use the same specifications to create a DV file. The differences would probably be from any signal modification before the DV conversion.

[2Bdecided]

I'm guessing his "old Panasonic VHS-C camcorder (composite only)" doesn't have a FireWire output!


Which is better? The one with a TBC, so neither (at a guess).

If you're not going to buy a new machine with TBC, then the answer is normally "the machine which recorded the tape" if that machine is still working well.


The ADVC110 itself provides no filtering of TB errors, so typical VHS footage played without a TBC will look far worse captured via the ADVC than simply viewed directly on a TV. (TVs are quite tolerant of TB errors). Once captured via the ADVC, the TB errors are printed into the video footage and cannot be removed - look for vertical lines in the picture that are wobbly / wriggly - that's the visual result of TB errors.

Cheers,
David.

(TBC = time base corrector)

[thomasj]

Thanks David, yes the camera is only composite output. That's for letting me know what to look out for. I'll be looking for TB errors now... Thanks much...

Does anyone know of any links to pictures of common problems like this?