Wobbly image when capturing composite video with Hauppauge USB-Live2...

[AlvinusDeDiaspar]

Since nothing comes easy in life, this is the strange effect I'm getting when capturing directly from a Samsung camcorder. The problem persists when I play tapes from it.

This wobbly effect is not there when connecting the camcorder to a pretty nice Speaka upscaler via composite. The upscaler outputs HDMI. Sadly I don't have a CRT available where I currently am.

I'm doing the capturing with Amarec, using the most standard settings, I'd say. 25fps (since it's PAL), no interlacing, no effects, etc.

Are you familiar with this problem?

[jagabo]

You need a Line Time Base Corrector. You can pass the signal through an old Panasonic ES10 or ES15 to fix the horizontal wobble.

[aramkolt]

Agree you need a line TBC either in a VCR that has one or ES10 for the wobble part, but The rolling flicker is also kind of interesting. That could potentially represent a "ground loop". Usually the fix for that is making sure all devices are plugged into the same power strip and not into multiple outlets in the same room.

[AlvinusDeDiaspar]

I was not aware of the potential need for a TBC.

When I connect my camcorder to my Speaka upscaler and then capture the HDMI signal, I get none of the wobbliness you can see in the attached video. Why is that? Is the upscaler doing some postprocessing I'm not aware of?

Is this a typical problem when capturing directly from a camcorder?

[jagabo]

When I connect my camcorder to my Speaka upscaler and then capture the HDMI signal, I get none of the wobbliness you can see in the attached video. Why is that?

The upscaler has a line TBC.

Is this a typical problem when capturing directly from a camcorder?

Yes. The spinning helical scan head can't keep a perfect speed. So the scanlines coming off the tape vary in length and starting time. High end players, usually S-VHS decks, included a line TBC.

[AlvinusDeDiaspar]

@jagabo, thanks a lot for your input.

I obtained a rather good result by using the upscaler plus an HDMI capture device. I'll need to consider whether getting one of those ES10's is worth it, or I should rather send the 8mm tapes to some service. It's 3 of them after all.