VideoHelp Forum
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 11 of 11
Thread
  1. Formerly 'vaporeon800' Brad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Vancouver, Canada
    Search PM
    Click image for larger version

Name:	broadcaststore-brochure.jpg
Views:	413
Size:	196.8 KB
ID:	16427

    These aren't exactly fair comparisons, as I changed more than one setting between the two captures. After I did the first "DNR On" capture, I noticed that whites were clipping in several scenes, so I lowered the Contrast control of the ATI 600 USB from 32 down to 25. This was actually an overcorrection, so I have more captures in my future...

    But hopefully it shows the clumpy, unnatural look and weird horizontal streaks that result with the DNR of this particular JVC model.

    Capture chain:
    JVC BR-S525U VHS player (no TBC card)
    [7-pin to 4-pin S-Video cable]
    Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD recorder (for TBC)
    [S-Video cable]
    ATI TV Wonder 600 USB

    Capture A settings:
    DNR On
    Norm mode
    Brightness 110, Contrast 32, Sharpness 0, rest default

    Capture B settings:
    DNR Off
    Edit Mode
    Brightness 110, Contrast 25, Sharpness 0, rest default

    Click image for larger version

Name:	zyu01b.png
Views:	1553
Size:	479.4 KB
ID:	16406Click image for larger version

Name:	zyu01a.png
Views:	1531
Size:	491.5 KB
ID:	16407
    Click image for larger version

Name:	zyu02b.png
Views:	1428
Size:	461.4 KB
ID:	16408Click image for larger version

Name:	zyu02a.png
Views:	1414
Size:	456.5 KB
ID:	16409

    More junk to come later in this thread.
    Last edited by Brad; 13th Apr 2013 at 15:03.
    Quote Quote  
  2. Formerly 'vaporeon800' Brad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Vancouver, Canada
    Search PM
    Here are all of the Menu options. Other settings are only available via front-panel switches and knobs.

    Unfortunately the Image Upload form reordered them for some reason, and it's too much of a hassle to fix the order.

    Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-07.png
Views:	521
Size:	183.7 KB
ID:	16410Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-06.png
Views:	492
Size:	167.4 KB
ID:	16411Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-17.png
Views:	475
Size:	134.1 KB
ID:	16412Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-02.png
Views:	460
Size:	97.4 KB
ID:	16413Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-16.png
Views:	479
Size:	150.5 KB
ID:	16414Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-14.png
Views:	483
Size:	105.2 KB
ID:	16415Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-05.png
Views:	638
Size:	165.7 KB
ID:	16416Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-13.png
Views:	509
Size:	155.9 KB
ID:	16417Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-01.png
Views:	519
Size:	99.7 KB
ID:	16418Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-12.png
Views:	539
Size:	50.3 KB
ID:	16419Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-03.png
Views:	456
Size:	43.7 KB
ID:	16420Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-15.png
Views:	470
Size:	43.2 KB
ID:	16421Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-09.png
Views:	482
Size:	103.1 KB
ID:	16422Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-10.png
Views:	488
Size:	51.2 KB
ID:	16423Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-04.png
Views:	505
Size:	95.3 KB
ID:	16424Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-08.png
Views:	541
Size:	134.3 KB
ID:	16425Click image for larger version

Name:	BRS525U-11.png
Views:	474
Size:	78.3 KB
ID:	16426
    Quote Quote  
  3. Formerly 'vaporeon800' Brad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Vancouver, Canada
    Search PM
    Way back at the end of 2005, gshelley61 posted some captures of the retail Titanic VHS playing on a JVC SR-W5U.

    I picked up a former rental copy of the release from someone on Craigslist to use for comparison to this "best case scenario" VHS capture.

    Click image for larger version

Name:	titanic1.jpg
Views:	639
Size:	50.5 KB
ID:	16454Click image for larger version

Name:	titanic1-jvc-shifted.png
Views:	502
Size:	447.4 KB
ID:	16453

    I shifted my capture 4 pixels to the right using AddBorders(4,0,0,0).Crop(0,0,-4,-0) so that it matched. The distortion at the bottom of the frame may be caused by Macrovision, which causes numerous induced errors with the ATI 600. Unfortunately my DVD recorder passthrough doesn't correct for that.

    I was amazed by the quality when I saw his screenshots, until I made this comparison. I feel that mine retains more detail (and more noise). The only part that I see being worse is the right side of the gold stick where there appears to be a black halo.
    Quote Quote  
  4. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Search PM
    That frame grab from Titanic isn't the best indicator of VCR quality since it's mostly blur. I wonder why gshelley61 picked that particular frame. Anyway, the lack of sharpening halos is a huge plus as far as I'm concerned. To make a VHS picture look DVD-like it should be as free from noise and detailed looking as possible. The W series of VCRs seem to do a great job in that regard.
    Quote Quote  
  5. Originally Posted by jazz57 View Post
    Anyway, the lack of sharpening halos is a huge plus as far as I'm concerned.
    I agree. Clean and sharpen in software where you have control and can use much more sophisticated tools.
    Quote Quote  
  6. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Search PM
    Originally Posted by jagabo View Post
    I agree. Clean and sharpen in software where you have control and can use much more sophisticated tools.
    Of course processing on a PC is the way to go for ultimate control, but going from a W-VHS machine straight to DVD may be the best real time solution when time is money and customers don't want to pay for a full-blown restoration job.
    Quote Quote  
  7. Formerly 'vaporeon800' Brad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Vancouver, Canada
    Search PM
    @jazz57: Sorry for taking ~2 weeks. Initially I got sidetracked pursuing something that I thought would help me grab some better comparison shots. Then time just got away from me.

    Answering your specific PM question, the Variable Tracking feature is worse than useless for normal speed playback: it adds tons of dropouts. If VT uses a different head, perhaps it is simply dirty or worn on my particular unit.

    I still plan to post useful pictures when I'm able, but in the interim I'll repeat what I said elsewhere in case someone reading is planning a purchase soon: the more closely I look at my 525, the less pleased I am. I don't know whether the other decks in this line share the same flaws, so if you're interested in what they offer and willing to gamble I wouldn't rule them out.

    You guys have noted the worst problem. The halos have become more and more obvious to me. If there is a Sharpness control, I can't find it.

    I wouldn't bother any more with this beast if I weren't so enamored with its "no head switching noise" feature.
    Quote Quote  
  8. Banned
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Northern California
    Search PM
    No interlacing artifacts?

    By the way who would want to sharpen VHS captures?
    Do I miss something?
    Quote Quote  
  9. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Search PM
    Originally Posted by vaporeon800 View Post
    @jazz57: Sorry for taking ~2 weeks. Initially I got sidetracked pursuing something that I thought would help me grab some better comparison shots. Then time just got away from me.
    Thanks so much for that. I really appreciate your taking the time to comment.

    Jazzy
    Quote Quote  
  10. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Search PM
    Originally Posted by newpball View Post
    By the way who would want to sharpen VHS captures?
    Do I miss something?
    Perceived sharpness in a video picture is more closely related to the Modulation Transfer Function (i.e. contrast) than to the resolution.

    Often the source tape will have a declining MTF as the details get finer and finer. While we can't do anything to improve the resolution of an old VHS recording, we can improve the MTF by applying a sharpening filter (or peaking filter). This will improve the picture as long as we don't go too far. The goal is to keep the MTF near 100% down to the finest details the system can produce.
    Quote Quote  
  11. Formerly 'vaporeon800' Brad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Vancouver, Canada
    Search PM
    Originally Posted by newpball View Post
    No interlacing artifacts?
    It's a TV show that was shot on film.

    Originally Posted by newpball View Post
    By the way who would want to sharpen VHS captures?
    Do I miss something?
    The sharpening and other picture "enhancing" features in VCRs weren't designed with capturing in mind, of course. So I don't understand what you mean with the question.
    Quote Quote  



Similar Threads

Visit our sponsor! Try DVDFab and backup Blu-rays!