Best Complete Device Set for Old VHS Tape Capture

[lplp]

Hello! I was hoping for help in putting together a great device combo for analog transfer.

Goal: I have hundreds of old vhs tapes (over 20 years), many done at 6hr and 8hr speed. I would like to turn them into mp4 files for hard drive storage in nice, watchable quality

Currently: I have a Samsung Gamer Laptop with plenty of power running Windows 7. I have tried using the Elgato Video Capture device with a super simple Panasonic Omnivision VCR and many of the files have come out extremely jittery and shaky to a point of unwatchable, even though they appear better when watching on the actual tv.

After reading around here, I have just picked up a Panasonic AG-1980 & JVC SR-V10U
Both are said to be with low hours and very good condition. In light of the project and research, I believe these will be good units for what I am looking for.

I was now curious if there are any clear best choices for the following to complete a good system:
-External TBC (will I even need one with these units?)
-Analog capture device to plug into my computer (better than elgato or will that be fine?)
-Analog capture/editing software for my computer (currently have NCH Golden Videos & VideoPad video editor along with Elgato)

I am willing to pay a decent amount for good reliable options that will get the job done right and simple, if possible.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[PuzZLeR]

Goal: I have hundreds of old vhs tapes (over 20 years), many done at 6hr and 8hr speed. I would like to turn them into mp4 files for hard drive storage in nice, watchable quality

You may want to consider capturing in lossless first, such as HuffYUV. This way you can get the most quality out of your tapes, and keep it interlaced, and archived this way. Sure it's higher in file size, but today you can still stuff hundreds of tapes on one drive, which already is much less space than what you're using now on the analog medium.

Lossless gives you better flexibility with filtering, which improves quality, and also, keeping it in lossless keeps your possibilities open for other options in the future, since encoding to MP4, likely H.264, will likely need de-interlacing and will lose quality.

Sure, use MP4, but keep the archive separately as lossless.

Currently: I have a Samsung Gamer Laptop with plenty of power running Windows 7. I have tried using the Elgato Video Capture device with a super simple Panasonic Omnivision VCR and many of the files have come out extremely jittery and shaky to a point of unwatchable, even though they appear better when watching on the actual tv.

I wouldn't capture on a laptop unless it's the only thing I have. As for the Elgato, I haven't used it, but all you really need is a good USB device, such as the ATI 600 USB, ezcap.tv (the REAL one from the site of its name), the Hauppauge USB-Live2. Not sure how the Elgato ranks with these though.

The jitter you're experiencing could be because of a lack of a TBC.

After reading around here, I have just picked up a Panasonic AG-1980 & JVC SR-V10U Both are said to be with low hours and very good condition. In light of the project and research, I believe these will be good units for what I am looking for.

Just curious. Did they improve the picture in your captures?

Yes, many will mention such units as good ones. Personally, I'm not a fan of either. The 1980 tends to have lots of electronic problems due to its current age, and my two units are no exception. As for the JVC, I have the SR-V101US - nice clean and colorful picture but way too "over processed".

Many sellers will tell you this and that, but not all of them are honest. Hopefully you did get some good hardware here.

I was now curious if there are any clear best choices for the following to complete a good system:
-External TBC (will I even need one with these units?)

Yes. Don't bother with the "TBC" these units have. They won't be complete, and will do more harm than good in many cases. Use an external. Many will recommend an AVT-8710, but I'm personally happy with my Panasonic ES15 as a pass-through. (Although the latter won't remove MacroVision.)

-Analog capture device to plug into my computer (better than elgato or will that be fine?)

If you're not satisfied with the Elgato, you can look into the choices I've mentioned earlier.

-Analog capture/editing software for my computer (currently have NCH Golden Videos & VideoPad video editor along with Elgato)

This is the least of your problems.

The best advice is use VirtualDub to capture to lossless. Look into multiple captures and median methods for better quality. Also, if you can learn some AviSynth, there are many more possibilities to explore.

Editing and encoding is the last step once you're done capturing and processing. Also, I would avoid any software that comes bundled with capture devices since it usually sucks.

I am willing to pay a decent amount for good reliable options that will get the job done right and simple, if possible.

I can tell you're serious. And you have hundreds of tapes and quite some work ahead of you. Keep in mind, this is a commitment, not an idea. The only way I got through it was with a plan, a workflow, and enjoying it. There is no other way.

Money was the least of my concerns.

[DB83]

You have one issue that even a good TBC might not be able to satisfy.

Long-play tapes are notorious for being temperamental played back in any unit that did not originally record them.

They may work fine but may not. That element will be down to good or bad luck whatever VCR you use.

[PuzZLeR]

You have one issue that even a good TBC might not be able to satisfy.

Long-play tapes are notorious for being temperamental played back in any unit that did not originally record them.

They may work fine but may not. That element will be down to good or bad luck whatever VCR you use.

I agree here. Many EP television recordings I've done had their issues.

Yes, it came down to luck, patience, re-caps, and even the weather I believe.

[lplp]

Thanks for the help! Neither of the VCR's have even arrived yet. I ordered both this week, so I haven't been able to give it a shot yet. I will check out Virtual Dub in the meantime and maybe practice with the elgato and my old vcr until they arrive. I will also look to get aTBC unit as well. I will post again after trying out the new units.

[KarMa]

I usually ask my shaman what the mood of the VHS God is today.

[PuzZLeR]

Thanks for the help! Neither of the VCR's have even arrived yet. I ordered both this week, so I haven't been able to give it a shot yet. I will check out Virtual Dub in the meantime and maybe practice with the elgato and my old vcr until they arrive. I will also look to get aTBC unit as well. I will post again after trying out the new units.

Look into trying VirtualDub with lossless video with your Elgato. Not sure if they support each other though. The ones I mentioned do.

I found the 1980's audio quality far superior to the JVC's. If you find youself needing both options, video on one, audio on the other, you can still capture each separately, and sync and mux losslessly after with VirtualDub. I use Audacity when it's only an audio capture.

Here (in post 3 particularly) are some settings for VirtualDub I use and many would agree on:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/365390-How-do-I-use-VirtualDub-to-capture-8mm-camcorder-VHS-tapes

You can always easliy convert to H.264 MP4 afterwards, such as with a tool like HandBrake (but start with lossless, and do keep it as a separate archive).

You can look into a TBC if you're willing to spend a bit more money, and this could be quite necessary for many tapes, particularly if you have lots of EP recordings like you've pointed out. I've mentioned the 8710, and it removes MV. But I found a more solid TBC in a passthrough. Look into the Panasonic ES10/ES15/ES20 models.

I usually ask my shaman what the mood of the VHS God is today.

Yes indeed, as I mentioned the VCR/VHS moods in that other thread. We are certainly at the mercy of this diety on a given day.

Did I say I hate VHS? Yes, I hate VHS. I always did.