Horizontal jitter; Will an internal TBC fix this?

[davideck]

I have several SVHS tapes from my camcorder that have periodic horizontal jitter. Every second or so, the picture jerks from left to right. Perhaps a bad capstan motor bearing was shocking the tape path.

My DataVideo external TBC makes the problem worse. The jerky motion is converted into a sinusoidal disturbance of greater amplitude and duration.

So I am wondering if a JVC 9600U or 9800U, etc. with a built in TBC can remove these errors.

[davideck]

Follow Up - I borrowed a FOR-A TBC and it helps but does not completely eliminate the error. It is hard for me to imagine that an internal TBC in a consumer VCR could outperform this professional unit, but you never know until you try.

[SLK001]

If your TBC was properly set up, then it should have removed the jitter. Did these tapes ever play correctly?

[davideck]

SLK001 - what do you mean by properly set up? The Datavideo TBC has no adjustments. The tapes have always had this error on every VCR I have tried.

[lordsmurf]

Follow Up - I borrowed a FOR-A TBC and it helps but does not completely eliminate the error. It is hard for me to imagine that an internal TBC in a consumer VCR could outperform this professional unit, but you never know until you try.

Maybe. Depends on severity and cause.

Like you said, only way to find out is to try.

[thing914]

Check out the VCR and TBC suggestions guide on www.lordsmurf.com site. He mentions the built in tbc of the vcrs like the 9800 deal better with horizontal issues. Sounds like what you need.

[davideck]

lordsmurf - what VCR/TBC unit do you prefer; JVC 9600U? Panasonic AG-1970? Do you think they all perform about the same? These units all show up on EBay now and then and its tough to know which one to pick and how much to pay.

[SLK001]

I meant the FORA TBC. It is a professional model, and it should have been able to correct the problem. But you say that it has always been like this, on any VCR. Makes me believe that your tape is either damaged or was never "put down" properly.

[davideck]

SLK001 - Yes, I am convinced that the error was "put down" by the camcorder during the record process. So the question is whether or not it is possible to remove this type of disturbance. The FOR-A makes it better, the DataVideo makes it worse. Perhaps it cannot be eliminated completely.
The FOR-A FA-300 has various video proc and freeze select adjustments. What type of adjustments would you expect the FOR-A to have that could affect this problem?

[SLK001]

Well, the most important part that a TBC corrected video, is the proper values for the horizontal sync pulse.

(A TBC stores your video signal - in either digital, or analog format - creates a brand new horizontal sync pulse, places the proper color burst signal down, then copies your video back from memory. To be able to work, your original video has to be within a certain tolerance. Sounds like yours is not within this tolerance window.)

[DVWannaB]

lordsmurf - what VCR/TBC unit do you prefer; JVC 9600U? Panasonic AG-1970? Do you think they all perform about the same? These units all show up on EBay now and then and its tough to know which one to pick and how much to pay.

I agree. I was looking at the JVC 9900 and the 9911 and I was TOTALLY lost at which one to get. It was definitely confusing. The 9900 seemed to have many of the features people with video problems need. THe 9911 should be a step up from the 9900, but from reading the capabilities of each, one would think the 9900 had more capabilities.

Anyone have any insight with this issue of the JVC 9900 vs 9911?

[lordsmurf]

9600, then 9800, then 9900, then far leap to 9911
The 99xx series has cheaper parts, more plastics, etc.
Still good, but older ones are best if you can find them.
Still better than the alternatives, if 99xx is the only choice.

I use JVC 9800 and DataVideo TBC-1000

[davideck]

Follow Up - SLK001 you are absolutely right. It turns out that the FOR-A TBC can completely eliminate this jitter as long as it does not exceed some maximum threshold. Above that threshold, it improves but does not eliminate the problem. Much better results than with the Datavideo TBC-3000.