Thinking of getting a Time Base Corrector -

[somebodeez]

Thinking of getting a Time Base Corrector :
http://www.dvdirect.com/shop/product.asp?sku=AVT5008

and I was wondering, would I use this along with my DV camera for capturing vhs tapes or just this by itself?

Also, I'd appreciate any feedback on this TBC

[macleod]

probably not the recomendation that you are looking for, but why don't you just get yourself a DVD recorder? I have the E-20 (going for in the $200-$300 range "new". It has a TBC already built in and I have used it to convert VHS footage without a problem. Its only a little more (I am sure that there are better deals out there.

[somebodeez]

That's on my Christmas wish list
But not for what I am wanting to do with these particular tapes.
See, my old video camera was the big, clunky, heavy kind that took full size VHS tapes.

I'm looking to get those home movies into my PC, do some editing and then get them onto DVDs. Don't want to have to get them onto a DVD, then have to rip that DVD, edit then put it back onto DVD.

[Marco33]

I guess you want a TBC because those old VHS tapes are in poor condition.

From what I've read on this site, it may not solve all your problems.

[Bob W]

probably not the recomendation that you are looking for, but why don't you just get yourself a DVD recorder? I have the E-20 (going for in the $200-$300 range "new". It has a TBC already built in and I have used it to convert VHS footage without a problem. Its only a little more (I am sure that there are better deals out there.

I think one good reason to buy the TBC is to get around the macrocrap on some VHS tapes.

[Marco33]

I think one good reason to buy the TBC is to get around the macrocrap on some VHS tapes.

Just get a SIMA it's a lot cheaper than a TBC and will kill Macro.

[somebodeez]

There isn't any macrocrap on my home VHS tapes

[macleod]

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=172813

The link above is talking about doing the vhs (well, TV anyway) pass through on a dv camcorder.

Have you already tried this method and it looks bad???

I personally haven't bought a standalone TBC, mostly because I will either use the E-20 and DO the burn to dvdr, then rip, ,convert, etc. Or cap seperately the video and audio and sync them up.

[Bob W]

I think one good reason to buy the TBC is to get around the macrocrap on some VHS tapes.

Just get a SIMA it's a lot cheaper than a TBC and will kill Macro.

I have the Sima CopyMaster, however it doesn't work for one tape (Star Wars). All my other tapes will record fine to my Panasonic E50 recorder but not that one.

[lordsmurf]

What needs to be remembered is there are several grades of TBC's available.

1. Cheap. Does very little. Example: SIMA CopyMaster. Price $40
2. Average. Does a fair share of work, but not perfect. Example: JVC 7900 and 9600 SVHS VCRs and the Panasonic E50 and other simliar VCRs and recorders with built-ins. Price $100
3. Hefty. Does a lot. Example: DataVideo TBC-1000. Price $300
4. Professional. Does everything but cook your breakfast. Example: DataVideo TBC-4000/6000. Price $900

So when comparing TBCs, be sure you categorize them properly. I have a JVC 9800 and a DataVideo TBC-1000, which appears to be a fairly common setup, and it works great. And my JVC does more horizontal corrections while the DataVideo does more vertical corrections.

I'd consider getting one from category #3, even if it serves as an addition to a #2 variation.

[Bob W]

People here say this is a good TBC for the $175 price.
http://www.dvdirect.com/shop/product.asp?sku=AVT5008

[somebodeez]

The link above is talking about doing the vhs (well, TV anyway) pass through on a dv camcorder.
Have you already tried this method and it looks bad???

Yes, I am currently passing through my Sony mini DV camera from my VCR - that's been great as far as not dropping any frames (haven't dropped a single frame!) but my old tapes tend to jitter up and down at times and sometimes I'll get a blue screen for a second or 2 (on the camera screen) then the video will come back and sometimes a bit of pixelation for a couple of seconds.
My tapes are watchable but in what I would call poor condition. Some worse than others.

I don't expect I can make my copies look any better than the originals but I don't want them to look worse...

I can spend up to $200 so I guess a TBC in that price range would be considered an average grade?

Do you use a TBC together with the camera for capturing?
Would there be an added benefit or is that not necessary with a TBC?

I really appreciate everyone's input

[somebodeez]

People here say this is a good TBC for the $175 price.
http://www.dvdirect.com/shop/product.asp?sku=AVT5008

Thanks , Bob
I think it's the same 1 I've got my eye on

[Marco33]

I think one good reason to buy the TBC is to get around the macrocrap on some VHS tapes.

Just get a SIMA it's a lot cheaper than a TBC and will kill Macro.

I have the Sima CopyMaster, however it doesn't work for one tape (Star Wars). All my other tapes will record fine to my Panasonic E50 recorder but not that one.

I have the trilogy and all 3 have the macro on them. Worked fine for me. I think I had seen your post on another thread. You are using a standalone record while this poster is caping to the computer. This is where you might be having a problem while others do not.

[Bob W]

I think one good reason to buy the TBC is to get around the macrocrap on some VHS tapes.

Just get a SIMA it's a lot cheaper than a TBC and will kill Macro.

I have the Sima CopyMaster, however it doesn't work for one tape (Star Wars). All my other tapes will record fine to my Panasonic E50 recorder but not that one.

I have the trilogy and all 3 have the macro on them. Worked fine for me. I think I had seen your post on another thread. You are using a standalone record while this poster is caping to the computer. This is where you might be having a problem while others do not.

Yeah I could just capture the VHS but the E50 recorder does such a better job quality wise I hate to do that. I'm thinking maybe this device will work to strip off the macrocrap, anyone here have one of these.
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=13&products_id=2950

[painkiller]

Hey there, Somebodeez....

Another thought. Have you consulted with any video transfer businesses? The ones like Ritz, or others in a mall (or wherever), that advertise VHS to DVD transfers??

Chances are, they probably have the equipment to do a superb job for you - might cost under what you'd pay for a decent TBC.

Anyway, might be worth a shot to at least ask.

That is, unless you really want more equipment in the house.


Say Cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FOO]

Do any of you folks know what exactly a time base corrector does
and why it might be needed ?

All those that think a Sima CopyMaster is a TBC need not reply

[lordsmurf]

from the dvdrhelp.com gloassary:

Time Base Corrector
A hardware device used to remove or mask variations in the video synchronizing signals, which can result in "skewing" and other distortions in the video image generated by unavoidable mechanical inaccuracies in helical scan recorders. This is accomplished by automatically delaying the video signal so that each line starts at the proper time. In capturing a TBC is used to 'clean up' analog tape problems and may assist in the capture of old VHS tapes when used between a VCR and capture card. Hardware TBCs can be expensive.

[Marco33]

Do any of you folks know what exactly a time base corrector does
and why it might be needed ?

All those that think a Sima CopyMaster is a TBC need not reply

I don't feel a Sima clasifies as a TBC so I will reply.

From the Glossary.

A hardware device used to remove or mask variations in the video synchronizing signals, which can result in "skewing" and other distortions in the video image generated by unavoidable mechanical inaccuracies in helical scan recorders. This is accomplished by automatically delaying the video signal so that each line starts at the proper time. In capturing a TBC is used to 'clean up' analog tape problems and may assist in the capture of old VHS tapes when used betwee a VCR and capture card. Hardware TBCs can be expensive.

[Marco33]

lordsmurf Says it better.

[somebodeez]

Hey there, Somebodeez....

Another thought. Have you consulted with any video transfer businesses? The ones like Ritz, or others in a mall (or wherever), that advertise VHS to DVD transfers??

Chances are, they probably have the equipment to do a superb job for you - might cost under what you'd pay for a decent TBC.

Anyway, might be worth a shot to at least ask.

That is, unless you really want more equipment in the house.


Say Cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't hurt to check that out, thanks
Oh yeah, we really need more equipment in the house, more cords behind the desk too :P

BTW - is that you, Dan?

[jar5000]

Is the Sima Copymaster a TBC? of course not.

Does the Sima Copymaster help me cap crappy/old VHS tapes? Sure does!

All i know is that a mere 40$ investment made my dropped frame problems dissapear and fed my ADVC-100 a signal it could handle.

If youve got the money to burn than run out and get yourself a TBC that will do everything but cook you breakfast...If you are price weary than it couldnt hurt to start off wiht a SIMA Copymaster. It may do "very little" for some, but it works wonders for others.

Just rememer that if you are like me and you deal with a lot of old/low quality VHS tapes, all the TBCs and filters in the world ain't gonna DVDize your picture quality.

[ironwood321]

Hi,
I use the " The New "ACE" Advanced Converter Enhancer " from http://www.gthelectronics.com

The Timebase works flawlessly and has 8mbit of field memory and it also has a standard conversion feature built in and many more options. Have a look at the sitemap bit for reviews and opinions on the device.

[FOO]

There are apparently some people having problems
capturing VHS tapes that have been stopped and started
during the recording or where multiple sections are recorded
end to end. I wonder how a TBC handles those. How does
it manage to get over several whole frames of total garbage ?
It's a lot different ftom a few percent speed variation from
the VHS player.
They probably have to give up and resync. I wonder what the TBC
outputs during the garbage.

There is some guy posting about trying to fix A/V sync in a capture
like that and having a hard time. I don't doubt it.

[ironwood321]

Hi,
It handles sync issues fine even on static sections of the tape you get a stable picture as the clock is being regenerated.

I just recently captured some footage I was having trouble with. Someone had transferred 3 Hi8 cassettes to VHS and played around with the audio i.e. adding a music track, there was even bits where they had paused the camera will capturing. I had a copy from that footage which came out fine.

Putting this through the unit seemed to work like a charm and I captured the footage without jumping or glitches.

As with all TBC you can't resolve compounded sync issues.

[somebodeez]

Is the Sima Copymaster a TBC? of course not.

Does the Sima Copymaster help me cap crappy/old VHS tapes? Sure does!

All i know is that a mere 40$ investment made my dropped frame problems dissapear and fed my ADVC-100 a signal it could handle.

If youve got the money to burn than run out and get yourself a TBC that will do everything but cook you breakfast...If you are price weary than it couldnt hurt to start off wiht a SIMA Copymaster. It may do "very little" for some, but it works wonders for others.

Just rememer that if you are like me and you deal with a lot of old/low quality VHS tapes, all the TBCs and filters in the world ain't gonna DVDize your picture quality.

Naturally I'd rather spend $40 than $175 but passing through the DV camera I already have takes care of the dropped frames issue
This is part of the reason I was asking if people with TBCs use it together with passing through a DV camera but no one seems to know...
I sure do thank you for your input! I'll take all that i can get

[somebodeez]

Hi,
I use the " The New "ACE" Advanced Converter Enhancer " from http://www.gthelectronics.com

The Timebase works flawlessly and has 8mbit of field memory and it also has a standard conversion feature built in and many more options. Have a look at the sitemap bit for reviews and opinions on the device.

Thank you!
Will check that out.

Edit: It sounds fantastic (read the reviews) but I'm in the US - would rather purchase from within the states. Thanks though!

[somebodeez]

Hi,
It handles sync issues fine even on static sections of the tape you get a stable picture as the clock is being regenerated.

I just recently captured some footage I was having trouble with. Someone had transferred 3 Hi8 cassettes to VHS and played around with the audio i.e. adding a music track, there was even bits where they had paused the camera will capturing. I had a copy from that footage which came out fine.

Putting this through the unit seemed to work like a charm and I captured the footage without jumping or glitches.

As with all TBC you can't resolve compounded sync issues.

That sounds great
What's a compound sync issue?
Audio drifting out of sync?
That doesn't happen passing though my DV camera...

[painkiller]

somebodeez


Yes, it is.

[somebodeez]

somebodeez


Yes, it is.

Hey there
I was gonna say "that Painkiller is an odd fella"
but if you weren't you, I didn't want to insult anyone because they wouldn't get it