VHS-C Horizontal Line Flashes - what is this called?

[Christina]

Forgive the horrendous photo examples here but I'm in the middle of a capture and just quickly grabbed these using my cell phone.

I would like to know what these "horizontal line flashes" are called so I can research what they are... looking up flashes or flickers yields too many results that are not the problem I am having.

It's a VHS-C tape and this is my 3rd attempt capturing it due to other issues I was having - this time I've gone back and used the original camcorder the tape was recorded in.

The first 2 captures had these little "flickers" too but they were much less apparent. It's a one frame "flash" of a horizontal line, either a color or white, and it happens consistently throughout.

Wondering if this is on the tape itself, fixable, preventable, or has something to do with the player. (First 2 times I was using the tape in an adapter in a S-VHS VCR, 2nd time I added Panasonic ES-10 into chain. The main problem I was having previously was vertical bouncing so I'm trying now with the camcorder to see if it's any better. I'd take the flickers over the bouncing if it is!)


[Attachment 58097 - Click to enlarge]

[Attachment 58098 - Click to enlarge]

[Christina]

Welp, kind of a moot point now because once it got up to the bad parts of the tape it just completely choked anyway, so original camcorder was a big fail. The tape adapter with VCR was at least able to complete the capture all the way through.

I am still curious what is causing the lines though if someone can explain or point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[jagabo]

Comets. They are caused by static buildup and discharge within the VCR -- when the grounding flange between the head assembly and the rest of the VCR is corroded. Search these threads for comets.

[Christina]

Comets. They are caused by static buildup and discharge within the VCR -- when the grounding flange between the head assembly and the rest of the VCR is corroded. Search these threads for comets.

Will do, thank you!