My First VHS Capture | What am I missing?

[TheAKK]

What I have:

1. Computer | Mac & PC w/ i7 & 16+ Ram w/ TBs of space
2. Audio interface w/ XLR and 1/4"
3. Panasonic AG7750
4. Video Converter BNC to VGA Converter
5. Sabrent USB 2 Capture w rca & S-video
6. BNC S-video audio cables etc.

So just struggling about getting my head around this. Audio is fine and all set, XLR out to XLR in = done. It's the video I struggle with. When using the BNC to VGA it seems that my S-VHS player doesn't play the VHS at the right speed no matter what setting I have on it and I have to alter the jog wheel speed. Also the jog wheel only goes in steps, I really want a player that can go from slowest to fastest smoothly if something like that exist?

Anyway I don't know the next step to take here...

[hech54]

So you are trying to do slow-motion type of stuff "on the fly"?

[TheAKK]

I want to down the road yes but I guess the first step is to get a normal transfer down. I want to do creative music video stuff down the road but right not I'd just like to share some rarities I have.

[hech54]

If your player has S-Video, and the capture device has S-Video.....take it. I wouldn't trust a modern USB capture device with BNC to ??? adapters.

[TheAKK]

It does but I might be missing something with the Sabrent asI'm getting no output. What's the general consensus best software to use? Also is there a VHS editor that does those smooth slow downs? Am I right and looking for an analog solution instead of S-VHS which is digital correct?

[hech54]

It does but I might be missing something with the Sabrent asI'm getting no output. What's the general consensus best software to use? Also is there a VHS editor that does those smooth slow downs? Am I right and looking for an analog solution instead of S-VHS which is digital correct?

No.....S- Video is analog, video only. There is no audio in that connection.
If you are actually talking about "slow motion" effects, do that with software, forget about the hardware version(via the VHS machine). Just get a stable video signal through the capture device first.

[Brad]

Usually the big "broadcast" decks can only play SP mode tapes, with EP and LP failing to lock and playing at the wrong speed.

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/337594-Panasonic-AG-7750-Playback-Problems

Beyond that, you listed equipment but not how you have it all connected. BNC to VGA converter, WTF? What exactly are you trying to do?

[TheAKK]

Usually the big "broadcast" decks can only play SP mode tapes, with EP and LP failing to lock and playing at the wrong speed.

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/337594-Panasonic-AG-7750-Playback-Problems

Beyond that, you listed equipment but not how you have it all connected. BNC to VGA converter, WTF? What exactly are you trying to do?

I have no clue I admit it. I was using the converter to preview on a monitor.

So considering I want to slow-mo sounds and fx without using software (its ok for video but the audio quality sounds awful) AND I want it to play at the right speed; what player should I get?

[mammo1789]

So considering I want to slow-mo sounds and fx without using software (its ok for video but the audio quality sounds awful) AND I want it to play at the right speed; what player should I get?

w
First you need a good VCR os SVHS machines, It has to be some TBC down the road (ether from the VCR or some TBC or DVD recorder as passtrough with TBC/frame sync, usb or pci capture cards can be cheap these days and pretty solid all of them have svideo and audio. From VCR your audio if you capture trough cap card will be locked at 48 khz, Capture with virtualdub lossless ( Lagarith UT, Hyff ) video 720x576 and audio PCM. After that you can do the slow fast in some video editor I think all of them will do stuff like that

[hech54]

So considering I want to slow-mo sounds and fx without using software

Pack the Panasonic in a box and stick it in the attic.....that thing is probably 20 years past it's useful date AND
capture devices to NOT like changes in the signal.
Sorry but your expectations are WAY off.

[TheAKK]

So considering I want to slow-mo sounds and fx without using software

Pack the Panasonic in a box and stick it in the attic.....that thing is probably 20 years past it's useful date AND
capture devices to NOT like changes in the signal.
Sorry but your expectations are WAY off.

You're right this thing is certain surplus to my requirements. Are there some decent learning youtube videos on this subject so I don't have to ask repetitive questions?

[JVRaines]

What you want is

Panasonic s-video OUT ===> Sabrent s-video IN
Panasonic RCA audio OUT ===> Sabrent RCA audio IN

You're less likely to have sync problems if you use the audio converter in the Sabrent.

Use a cleaning cassette on your VCR. (Or, if you're brave, open it up and swab the audio/control head with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol). Try adjusting the manual tracking control while you play back.

[orsetto]

the jog wheel only goes in steps, I really want a player that can go from slowest to fastest smoothly if something like that exist?

It sounds like you want to do something with analog video similar to what vinyl DJs do with Technics SL-1200 turntables: this unfortunately isn't possible (at least not during the transfer to digital: as others have advised, once you have a proper digital file you can screw with it every which way using the right playback or editing software).

For the moment, do what JVRaines suggested:

What you want is
Panasonic s-video OUT ===> Sabrent s-video IN
Panasonic RCA audio OUT ===> Sabrent RCA audio IN
You're less likely to have sync problems if you use the audio converter in the Sabrent.

Those BNC/RCA/SVHS to VGA adapters are usually rubbish: if you want a backup monitor separate from your PC, just connect the VCR directly to a television via BNC>composite plug or S-video cables. Note the sound and video on the TV will not be perfectly synchronized with playback thru the PC screen via the Sabrent: digital conversion imposes a delay.

If by "rarities" you mean bootleg or multi-generation dubs of music videos or concert tapes, the Panasonic AG7750 is a very poor choice of playback deck for that material. Any halfway decent consumer or prosumer Sharp or Panasonic 4-head HiFi VCR will be more suitable. If you want a ruggedized model, the Panasonic AG-2560 or Mitsubishi HS-U448 are bulletproof at approx $40 used. The Panasonic AG-1970 or Mitsubishi HS-U748 adds S-video connections for a little more money. If you have the budget for it, and want modern TBC/DNR features, the Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U runs $250- $350 used (but TBC/DNR often backfires with "rarities" material, making it look worse, so may not be worth it for your purposes).

[JVRaines]

Thank you for acknowledging me for the moment, my dear Orsetto. I hope to return the favor in the very near future.

[orsetto]

You are eminently quotable, JVRaines: you're so often first to clarify the key point a poster needs to prioritize, which the rest of us then elaborate on or digress from at our peril.

Since it seemed likely OP might try another VCR or hardware in the near future. I quoted your connection suggestion to emphasize it was the most important thing to do right now ("for the moment"), with his existing AG-7750 setup. The BNC confusion would probably not come up again with the next VCR: assuming its also SVHS, your connection diagram would obviously still apply intact. If the next VCR experiment is not SVHS, TheAKK would just substitute the standard round composite RCA video connections for the S-video part of your diagram.

[johnmeyer]

You definitely do not want to do any speed change effects using the deck. It will do a lousy job and give you absolutely no control. Any competent NLE can do this digitally and do it far better, with precise control over the effect you want. My NLE is Sony Vegas Pro, and I can add a speed "ramp" to any video. With this, I can speed up or slow down any video. What's more, I can not only change the speed, but can also alter the rate of change in that speed.

I did a music video for a local high school volleyball team and used the speed ramp several times. Here is that video, queued up to the point just before I slow it down. Not how the slow down happens over a one second period of time. Then, if you watch for about fifteen seconds until the music speeds up again, you'll see a brief speed ramp up to faster than real speed, and then back down again to normal speed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MX24Rqv1vE&t=3m15s

BTW, the tall girl with the headband is Jamie Lee Darley. Most people know her from the Victoria Secret modeling competition, but she was also an amazing volleyball and basketball athlete. I created a highlight video and posted it during that competition to try to help her get the win (she was first runner-up).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dGUdyJMllk