Video Tape Miss-Tracking, Possible Fix.

[dellsam34]

If you are getting similar image artifacts shown in this video during capturing, it could well be a VCR miss tracking issue, These issues cannot be fixed by TBCs. Some problematic video tapes have what we call miss tracking issues, These tapes are usually recorded on VCRs with faulty or misaligned tape path, shrunk or stretched tapes. Low speed tapes are more prone due to narrow video tracks. So before you start pulling your hair, try this easy solution first.

What is tracking?
With the exception of some video formats such Video8, VCRs such as VHS, Beta and similar video formats use a stationary sync pulse head to synchronize the capstan motor that transports the tape across the heads with the video drum that scans every field (half frame) to make sure the video heads on the drum scan within the video tracks, If the tracks are not in the correct angle vis a vis the edge of the tape due to a mechanical misalignment, miss tracking happens. While the automatic tracking feature works very well with non problematic tapes it is just a dumb feature, it basically looks for maximum RF output by advancing or delaying capstan timing, so when it finds that sweet spot it stays there, For tapes with miss tracking problems, this causes the timing bursts recorded at the beginning of every field (timing signals that tell TVs and capture cards the frame starts here) which are near the edge of the tape right next to the linear tracks to be pushed further out of the video heads path. To remedy this the automatic tracking has to be disabled, it's a compromise fix, it takes away a little bit of image quality in exchange of getting the timing signals back in track or close enough, Severe miss tracking may never be fixed without messing with the alignment of the VCR to mimic the original faulty recording VCR which can be performed by qualified technicians.

VCRs with semi automatic tracking (demonstrated in the video VHS-EP):
Find the tracking button on the original remote control and press it once, this will make the VCR enter the manual tracking, press either CH+ or CH- buttons repeatedly until the image clears, keep pressing until a noise bar appears, press the other CH button until the image clears, Stop.

VCRs with manual tracking:
Turn the tracking knob in the direction that stabilizes the picture, keep turning until a noise band appears, turn in the opposite direction until the image clears, Stop.

[rgr]

I have a Sony SLV-E70. It doesn't give a great picture, but it handles surprisingly well tapes that Panasonic or JVC can't read correctly. I rate its efficiency at 50% -- it will read half of the tapes that Panasonic/JVC/others can't read.

[dellsam34]

Funny enough, this was just last night I had this EP tape that none of my JVC VCRs was able to playback without flagging (not mistracking), I grabbed a Sony VHS VCR SLV-N750 that I got from the thrift store for $14 which I use only for fast winding tapes and checking their contents, and lo and behold it played the tape perfectly, albeit with little edges wiggle which is expected from an out of the mill regular VCR with no line TBC, I gave it a good clean and an apology.

This must have to do with head configuration and track width, While JVC can playback its low speed recordings perfectly, it doesn't cope well with irregular speeds recorded on other VCRs.