Strange yellow-ish tint in Happauge captures

[oln]

Looking at the video that's definitely down to how these dongles are not capable of handling video direct from vcrs well at all. A bad recording or damaged tape will of course make it worse but even on good recordings they will struggle. Reinstalling the drivers won't fix it (though it's possible there are some differences in how different driver versions set the card up for all I know). If there is too much instability these cards just can't separate the color signal properly at all.

Passing the video via the Panasonic as suggested should fix this and also make the image much more stable.

What VCR are you using? I'm seeing some noise bars which makes it look like the vcr is also not in optimal condition and not dealing with the dropouts on the tape quite as it should, or maybe the heads are just dirty.

[TimA-C]

Can you plug those connectors you've got connected to the Live2 directly into a TV and see if you still have the yellow cast? Maybe it's the output, and the Live2 is just capturing what it's being fed? Just a thought.

[techmot]

Can you plug those connectors you've got connected to the Live2 directly into a TV and see if you still have the yellow cast? Maybe it's the output, and the Live2 is just capturing what it's being fed? Just a thought.

Yeah it could be the output and the capture device. I haven't had chance to try it out as I've been away from the VCR for over a week now, will try it tomorrow and connect it to the TV.

[techmot]

Looking at the video that's definitely down to how these dongles are not capable of handling video direct from vcrs well at all. A bad recording or damaged tape will of course make it worse but even on good recordings they will struggle. Reinstalling the drivers won't fix it (though it's possible there are some differences in how different driver versions set the card up for all I know). If there is too much instability these cards just can't separate the color signal properly at all.

Passing the video via the Panasonic as suggested should fix this and also make the image much more stable.

What VCR are you using? I'm seeing some noise bars which makes it look like the vcr is also not in optimal condition and not dealing with the dropouts on the tape quite as it should, or maybe the heads are just dirty.

Yeah it could be down to the bad tape or the VCR, it maybe down to the recording being in LP mode (I will have to check when I get back as I have a feeling it was taped in LP mode) and this maybe the cause but I suppose it's unlikely as this didn't appear on a previous capture on my old cheap Easycap and using Corel Video. The heads are probably not the best, I usually clean them manually which clears up the picture whenever iit needs to, not the best way so it's probably made the heads worse. Very few of my tapes are in good condition.

The VCR I'm using is just a basic 6 head Bush video, scart on the back and composite on the front, not the best for tracking and stabilising jumping or jittery video compared to the Panasonic combo I have. I will try and hook the Bush VCR to the Panasonic to do a passthru, but the Panny when switched on keeps making a whirring noise because one of the loader motor wheels has been jammed and thinks a tape is stuck. This happened when I inserted a tape awhile back without the back flap on the back of the cassette, not the best thing to do. I'm sure I tried a passthru last time I mentioned this on here ahwile back and for some reason nothing would happen, no signal from either video. Maybe I was connecting it up the wrong way.

[techmot]

Finally got around to trying a passthru with my working Bush VCR and my Panasonic combo, but for some reason it won't detect the signal from the BUSH video. i remember trying this once before awhile back using the instructions given on here and it didn't work then. I have used a scart to comp cable with the scart end in the back of the Bush video then from there I connected the compostite connections into the back of the Panasonic, and then using an S-video cable from the back of the Panasonic's S-video out and then into the S-video the capture device's S-video cable and the device's USB into the laptop. All I am getting is a greenscreen. I also tried the S-video on the front of the Panasonic, but it's the still the same, no signal. And yes I changed to S-video in the settings, but even in composite nothing but a black screen.


[Attachment 75307 - Click to enlarge]

Can someone help please as it's doing my head in. I've tried every connection possible and it doesn't won't detect the signal. Maybe the Panasonic is faulty. I can't get rid of the tape loader making a noise as it's jammed. I tried connecting the Panny on its own and there's a distortion in the video feed, so looks like the machine is faulty, no idea why as the last time I used it before the tape loader jammed it was working perfectly. Maybe the loader has knackered the machine. I decided to hook up my old Panasonic DVD recorder (DMR-E30) and there's a signal detected from the DVD recorder with a menu screen, but nothing from the BUSH VCR, so I must have got the connections mixed up somewhere. Will the passthru work on the DMR-E30? it's not a combo though just a DVD recorder.

[Sharc]

Press the "Functions" key on the Remote of the Panasonic combo. Does it play the settings menu of the DVD Combo on the Amarec capture window?

Press the "INPUT SELECT" key on the remote of the Panasonic combo a few times to toggle through the various input ports. Do you see the menu of the Bush VCR?

The E30 should work in passthough. I don't know its "TBC" performance though. Worth to try.

[oln]

From what I can tell the european variant of the EZ47V only has inputs via SCART on the back, the composite ports on the back are outputs so you can't use those as input. You have to look at what is an input and what is an output on the machines. In the same vein, the s-video port on the front is an input, not an output.

If you know the scart->composite cable adapter work with the capture card, connect those to the front inputs, set the machine to use the front inputs and connect the s-video cable between the s-video output port on the back and the capture card.

If you get a distorted picture from just looking at the menus on the panasonics though maybe something is wrong with it. Besides the jammed tape loader, one common problem of this generation of panasonics is the secondary side filter capacitors in the power supply drying up causing the units to fail. That did happen on my standalone DMR-EH57 from the same generation. It is a pretty easy fix for someone with basic soldering skills and equipment though can be daunting if one has not done any soldering before.

Worth noting with the panasonic DVD-recorder/VCR combos also is that they have separate input select for the vcr and dvd side so you have to make sure you are selecting the input for the dvd-recorder side.

The DMR-E30 should also work for this to a degree. Afaik it won't be as effective on very bad tapes but might be fine for your use case so it's worth a try. Again make sure the output from the vcr is plugged into one of the INPUTS of the E30 (probably easiest to use the front input) and and that the specific input is selected on the E30.

[techmot]

From what I can tell the european variant of the EZ47V only has inputs via SCART on the back, the composite ports on the back are outputs so you can't use those as input. You have to look at what is an input and what is an output on the machines. In the same vein, the s-video port on the front is an input, not an output.

If you know the scart->composite cable adapter work with the capture card, connect those to the front inputs, set the machine to use the front inputs and connect the s-video cable between the s-video output port on the back and the capture card.

If you get a distorted picture from just looking at the menus on the panasonics though maybe something is wrong with it. Besides the jammed tape loader, one common problem of this generation of panasonics is the secondary side filter capacitors in the power supply drying up causing the units to fail. That did happen on my standalone DMR-EH57 from the same generation. It is a pretty easy fix for someone with basic soldering skills and equipment though can be daunting if one has not done any soldering before.

Worth noting with the panasonic DVD-recorder/VCR combos also is that they have separate input select for the vcr and dvd side so you have to make sure you are selecting the input for the dvd-recorder side.

The DMR-E30 should also work for this to a degree. Afaik it won't be as effective on very bad tapes but might be fine for your use case so it's worth a try. Again make sure the output from the vcr is plugged into one of the INPUTS of the E30 (probably easiest to use the front input) and and that the specific input is selected on the E30.

Thanks for that, but I'm still not getting any signal from the BUSH VCR only the Panasonic that it is connected to. I have connected the scart-comp cable into the scart input in the back of the BUSH video and then connected the comp cables into the inputs on the front the Panasonic DMR E-30 (no point trying to the combo again as I think it is probably faulty as you mentioned), and then using an S-video cable I've connected this to the S-video out on the back of the Panasonic to the capture device via its S video connection, but still nothing except the input from the Panasonic:


[Attachment 75312 - Click to enlarge]

Is there a button on the remote or in the settings I need to use?.

I think I'm wasting my time as the E-30 keeps shutting down, it's not been used in awhile and the disck loader will often not open, probably a common fault with those machines.

[oln]

Are you selecting the front input as the channel on the E30 with the remote or front buttons? (I think it should be AV2)
Are you using the right scart connector on the VCR? (if it has multiple scart connectors) The one that does output, not just input.
Are you using a scart->rca adapter that does output, not just input and is switched to output mode?

[techmot]

Are you selecting the front input as the channel on the E30 with the remote or front buttons? (I think it should be AV2)
Are you using the right scart connector on the VCR? (if it has multiple scart connectors) The one that does output, not just input.
Are you using a scart->rca adapter that does output, not just input and is switched to output mode?

I think I'm using the right scart connector. I have a few scart cables but I hve only one that has an IN/OUT switch on it, and this cable has 3 composite connections on the other end. The scart is switched to OUT so I should've been getting something through, but all it was doing was detecting the input from the Panasonic. Once I unconnect the Pananasonic from the device and connect the Bush VCR are up the device as I regularly have been doing, there is a connection. It seems to that it can only detect the signal that is coming directly from the machine the device is connected through, it doesn't bypass through the Panasonic via the BUSH vcr. Is there a video I can watch which demonstrates this a passthru? I can't find anything on youtube which is abit strange as I would've assumed this is a common practice amongst video enthusiasts.

[mammo1789]

I think I'm using the right scart connector. I have a few scart cables but I hve only one that has an IN/OUT switch on it, and this cable has 3 composite connections on the other end. The scart is switched to OUT so I should've been getting something through, but all it was doing was detecting the input from the Panasonic. Once I unconnect the Pananasonic from the device and connect the Bush VCR are up the device as I regularly have been doing, there is a connection. It seems to that it can only detect the signal that is coming directly from the machine the device is connected through, it doesn't bypass through the Panasonic via the BUSH vcr. Is there a video I can watch which demonstrates this a passthru? I can't find anything on youtube which is a bit strange as I would've assumed this is a common practice amongst video enthusiasts.

You have to select input on the panny e30 on the remote there is input button or there is ch+ ch- on the machine ( not on the remote) which you can use to come to av inputs and select the one that you used on the panny. play the tape on the bush vcr and you can see the picture from the bush trough passtrough e30 to hap card you already see the panny menu which is ok you only have to just use correct input on the e30 which can be done by remote direct button or by the machine itself trough ch+ or -

[Sharc]

On the Panny remote there is a "INPUT SELECT" button (button 29). Toggle it to select the connected input.

[techmot]

I think I'm using the right scart connector. I have a few scart cables but I hve only one that has an IN/OUT switch on it, and this cable has 3 composite connections on the other end. The scart is switched to OUT so I should've been getting something through, but all it was doing was detecting the input from the Panasonic. Once I unconnect the Pananasonic from the device and connect the Bush VCR are up the device as I regularly have been doing, there is a connection. It seems to that it can only detect the signal that is coming directly from the machine the device is connected through, it doesn't bypass through the Panasonic via the BUSH vcr. Is there a video I can watch which demonstrates this a passthru? I can't find anything on youtube which is a bit strange as I would've assumed this is a common practice amongst video enthusiasts.

You have to select input on the panny e30 on the remote there is input button or there is ch+ ch- on the machine ( not on the remote) which you can use to come to av inputs and select the one that you used on the panny. play the tape on the bush vcr and you can see the picture from the bush trough passtrough e30 to hap card you already see the panny menu which is ok you only have to just use correct input on the e30 which can be done by remote direct button or by the machine itself trough ch+ or -

Thanks for that, tried the channel select and managed to get a signal through:


[Attachment 75324 - Click to enlarge]

Looks like it's got rid of that yellowy tint. I wonder what was causing that.

[lollo]

Looks like it's got rid of that yellowy tint. I wonder what was causing that.

As oln pointed out earlier, a bad reaction of the capture card to an unstable signal (and not a driver issue as I have experimented in the past and suggested as potential cause)

[techmot]

Looks like it's got rid of that yellowy tint. I wonder what was causing that.

As oln pointed out earlier, a bad reaction of the capture card to an unstable signal (and not a driver issue as I have experimented in the past and suggested as potential cause)

Yes it is as you say likely down to unstable video signal. I used the combo for the capture as the DMR E-30 kept shutting down, but the compo keeps trying to load a tape and the mechanism is jammed and I can't find a way of stopping it. I tried loading a tape but the idlers don't lace the tape all around and just unwinds after a few seconds. Here's a video I took, hopefully someone can help as it is annoying. Obviously if a tape would load I wouldn't need to use a second VCR as a passthru:

https://forum.videohelp.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75325&stc=1&d=1701949238

[techmot]

Does anyone know what is causing the Panasonic combo's tape loader to be jammed?. Even when I shut down the machine the loader is still trying to load a tape, so only unplugging it will stop it. Anyone know please?.

[techmot]

Looks like it's got rid of that yellowy tint. I wonder what was causing that.

As oln pointed out earlier, a bad reaction of the capture card to an unstable signal (and not a driver issue as I have experimented in the past and suggested as potential cause)

Looking at the passthru capture and my previous captures just using my regular VCR, I don't really see much of a difference in quality, apart from that I did notice some colour noise present which didn't appear in the passthru capture (but that maybe because I was using the Easycap and capture at 640), and the image seemed a little more sharper, plus whenever the tape jumped previously the passthru seemed to stabilise it. I don't see much difference between composite and S-video to be honest, unless it wasn't actually outputting in S-video. It's just the tape loader now that's the problem as I can't seem to stop it. Is this just a mechanical fault or an electronics fault, ie a capacitor?. I've the latter is a common problem.

[DB83]

I do not know specifically about that Panny but with many combis s-video output is only available on the DVD side so it becomes irrelevant whether you can load a tape in to it or not.

Read this :


https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/vcr1.htm#:~:text=When%20the%20tape%20is%20insert...nd%20play%20it.


Something has jammed in the vcr. Requires a pro repair.

[techmot]

I do not know specifically about that Panny but with many combis s-video output is only available on the DVD side so it becomes irrelevant whether you can load a tape in to it or not.

Read this :


https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/vcr1.htm#:~:text=When%20the%20tape%20is%20insert...nd%20play%20it.


Something has jammed in the vcr. Requires a pro repair.

Oh right, that explains why I wasn't getting an improved picture.

Why would it require a pro repair?.

[Alwyn]

I don't really see much of a difference in quality, apart from that I did notice some colour noise present which didn't appear in the passthru capture (but that maybe because I was using the Easycap and capture at 640), and the image seemed a little more sharper, plus whenever the tape jumped previously the passthru seemed to stabilise it.

Apart from the sharpening (they could well do but I haven't particularly noticed it), that is precisely what these Panasonic DIGA combos do and that is why the are so valuable: a cheapie stabiliser. They do have minor downsides but overall they are a plus.

If the EZ-47 is like the ES-35 before it and the EZ-48 after it, it outputs S-Video from the VHS. There is some conjecture about whether it's true S-Video and not just re-hashed Composite, but I think I can see a slight improvement on the S-Video output.

[oln]

The way the panasonic dvd-recorder/VCR combos work is that the signal from the internal VCR is routed via the internal digitizer (via composite internally) so you can get the internal vcr output on all of the outputs including S-Video. On some you can get the raw composite output from the VCR on one of the SCART outputs or one of the composite outputs as well I think. Any of the inputs are also routed via the internal digitizer hence the stabilizing effect.

On DVD/VCR combos without a DVD recording capability, other than the few ones ones that were Super-VHS any output other than composite were for the DVD side only. That includes using the S-Video output on a scart adapter. (That also includes some dvd recorder/vcr combos, like the ones that were made by JVC, though there were also JVC-branded ones not made by JVC that are different)

If you were using the panasonic instead of the bush or another vcr when digitizing in the past that may have helped make the captures back then look more stable.

As for the jamming, it might be that the mechanism has skipped and/or broken gears. If you are just lucky it has just skipped gears or gone out of alignment and it would be possible to disassemble it and put the gears back in alignment using the service manual. If it's broken the easiest would probably be to look for another panasonic vcr (without dvd-recorder), either standalone or combo, from the same period to borrow the mechanism from rather than hunt for replacement parts.

[DB83]

Unless I read the above from my learned friend incorrectly my Funia vhs recorder/dvd recorder combi should output vhs over s-video. Except it does not. (Do bear in mind that I have more than one 'senior' moment in a day )

If the Panny's do it then fine.


But my msg to the OP doees not change. If you need , and can find (not so easy these days), a firm that can fix vcrs. Unless, that is, you are handy with appropiate tools, parts, AND access to the service manual (not so generally easy to obtain) for your unit (or many for that matter)

[oln]

Yeah as I noted it applies to many dvd-recorder/vcr combos, but not all. Afaik ones from panasonic do as noted (but I've seen some users demonstrate that they are able to output the raw output on one of the outputs as well). LG, Samsung and Daewoo ones also send everything via the digitizer and out on all outputs from what I've seen (may also be true by the ones made by Orion but not sure.

JVC ones (not to be confused with JVC-branded LGs) do not, same seems to be true with many of the Funais as you state (though not sure if it's true with all Funai ones). The JVC ones do have a mode to output video from the VCR on the component output though going via the digitizer, which is supposed to only be in progressive scan but seems to also output interlaced at least on the one I have. You can also see video on the component and s-video out when dubbing to dvd/hdd (may also be the case on funais).


Not sure if the SM for the european variant of the specific panasonic combo is easy to find but at least you can find the full service manual for the mechanism here:
https://elektrotanya.com/panasonic_r4-mechanika.pdf/download.html