Capturing Very Bad VHS Tapes

[M3E46Dude]

Trying to convert all my parents old ( 20+ Years ) VHS tapes into MPG2 for DVD archival. The VHS tapes are very bad. Initially I couldn't even watch the capture on the computer because the bad signal would keep tripping my capture's card Macrovision. I have since removed macrovision from the card thus having huge improvement. Yet still the quality capture is very bad compared to what I see on a normal TV from the same VHS. Here is a screen shot of the difference.

Capture from VCR: http://s88772432.onlinehome.us/stuff/ati1.jpg
Capture from Camera recording what I see on TV: http://s88772432.onlinehome.us/stuff/ati2.jpg

I've read all of LordSmurf's guide. The only solutions I see here are to get a TBC, but that's too costly for my budget considering it's only 5 tapes that are bad like this. I don't think I can rent one? or I could video tape the TV and capture that ( that would be my last resort ).

My question is give my situation what you guys that are more experienced than me do? Advice is appreciated. =)

PS: Specs on my system can be found on my Profile

[lordsmurf]

Anyway, you're looking at a long process. TBC, JVC, maybe some filters... it's pimarily your playback equipment not cutting the mustard. This is why people offer services for those in need of only a tape or two, just as I do.

[M3E46Dude]

tnx LordSmurf, where can I find these people or better yet where do you live and what are your rates? I would prefer to find someone around my area ( Miami, FL ) so I don't have to ship my precious tapes half way around the world so those bomb detectors can add more noise to the tape. heh. Also another thing that I didn't mention is that the tape was either filmed in PAL-M or Secam. This explains the black and white video on the NTSC TV. I tried adjusting the AIW to capture in PAL-M but it made it worst. My guess it's because the VCR doesn't support such formats and it must alter the signal before it enters the AIW.

btw: for the quality of the tapes above I should capture in 352x480 3.5 avg 160k AC3?

[proxyx99]

Capturing in PAL would require a PAL VCR. I may be mistaken but judging from submitted pictures you are playing them on NTSC VCR. That will fool any capture device and trigger random chroma distortion.
In my opinion what you need is a good multisystem (PAL/Secam, or whatever it may be recorded in, playback device). TBC would be useless. Several stores specializing in system transfer offer VCR loaners here for about 20$ a day. This is what you need. Take your tape there, determine what IS the correct standard and get a suitable VCR. It's beyond this forum to explain how (plenty of ways to get one) to "organize" one. I leave it to your ingenuity.
After that PAL dev. -> PAL preset AIW is a no brainer.

[lordsmurf]

Tapes are magnetic, so the x-ray machines have no adverse affect on video tapes. It's only optical film that has such problems.

PAL-M does make it more difficult ... I've got a VCR that converts that to NTSC, so at this point, yes finding a service would be your best bet. You're climbing into the $1000 equipment range now.

Hit the yellow pages. If you want to use me, we need to take it away from this forum, e-mail me through www.lordsmurf.com ... I can also give you some tips on what to look for in your area if you decide to go that route

Either way, e-mail me.

[SHS]

This one time I have agree with lordsmurf after look at that screenshot