Is TBC The right tool

[henasau]

I want to convert a mixture of VHS-C/ VHS and analog Video 8 home movies to DVD.
At first I started with my VHS-C tapes.
The quality I am geting from my captures are not satisfactory at all
I am using basic TEAC stereo VCR/ VHS-C tape adaptor/ Leadtek TV 2000 Expert and VirtualVCR combination for capture. Previously l tried VirtualDuB VCR Sync with sinmilar results.
When I play the same tapes directly to my analog TV. They look pretty good. After capture noise is infreased and all vertical lines in the picture are becoming fuzzy.
I thought good VCR with TBC might fix the problem.
Having a mixture of various formats I decided VideoData 1000 might the best option.
My practical experience with TBC or even SVHS are NUL.
I know what TBC does in theory, but I have no idea what it can do to my tapes.
I posted a few consecutive frames to http://www.abcembroidery.com.au/storage/capture.htm
Look at the window on the ground floor. How fuzzy is vertical bar is
I just noticed the problem is more prominent at the beginig of the tape.
Is the TBC a solution to my problems ?

[upshot]

Couple of questions for you:

1. what file format/software are you using for your cap?
2. are you using a s-video cable for interconnect?

I think a TBC will help any time you are caping VHS playback... I recently got a prime image TBC off ebay for $120 and I've seen a significant improvement in waves/jitter/sync from my mitsusushi (hs-u748)...

I realize it's overkill but I've been experimenting with vhs(hs-u748) -> TBC -> S-vhs (jvc hr-dvs3) then using the internal dubbing in the hr-dvs3 with "digital noise reduction" and "tbc" for S-vhs->miniDV (new master). Then simple firewire cap, etc. etc.. I think of it as slowly moving up the resolution ladder (240-400-500) with filtering to catch most of the "dirt"

Many may flame me for this experiment but for troublesome ol' vhs it seems to take most of the flaws out...

For your case though a tbc-1000 or a good jvc vcr (with tbc) may do the trick!

[lordsmurf]

Upshot, you went a bit more expensive, but your method will work quite well.

I've got S-VHS (DNR on as needed, other filters used as needed) -> monster cables -> TBC -> monster cables -> capture card (or DVD recorder). Works well.

[upshot]

I needed a miniDV deck for masters (200 to be exact)... So the hr-dvs3 was the pricy part... Otherwise I think I got off without spending too much:

u748 $80 (ebay)
prime image TBC $120 (ebay) I'm still floored that it works for this price
advc-100 $240
cables $150 (I'm using monster "3" and some tributaries high ends)

btw I got the tributaries cables off www.audioadvisor.com for a song! Anyone needing some good cables should check that out...

and I'm still looking forward to your restoration observations there Mr. lordsmurf!

[henasau]

[quo1. what file format/software are you using for your cap?
te]
I am using huffyuv as codec and capture to AVI. Frames on the net are raw source strait after capture.

2. are you using a s-video cable for interconnect?

No I havn't got S-Video neither on my VCR neither on my TV2000 Expert card. I am using composite connection with the good cable and I am trying to keep away my VCR from any possible noise source during the capture

[upshot]

I'd start with the best vcr you can muster with a s-vid out... if that does not give you the results your looking for then look into a TBC....

The key here is that you need to feed your card the best (cleanest) signal possible...

[henasau]

Would this mean my Winfast Tv2000 Expert is not good enough for the Job?
S-Video is not available on it only Composite AV.

[upshot]

Oh... I see... I'm not sure how to get the most out of your composite connection. Maybe in your case a TBC would be a better "first move". Don't know if the tbc-1000 has composite support... anyone want to chime in?

I think you'll just have to do a gut/pocketbook check... In a perfect world a capture card/device that has s-video and a good vcr will help alot. If your still not satisfied then add a tbc... *shrug*

[DaveS]

<snip> Don't know if the tbc-1000 has composite support... <snip>

it does have both svideo and composite in / out

[henasau]

Thanks everyone for response to my queries.
I will search on Ebay for a good VCR first.
Can VCR's coming out of USA do PAL or they are just pure NTSC?
I am thinking about following VCR's:

JVC HR-S9600U
JVC HR-S9800U
JVC HR-S9900U
JVC HR-S9911U
JVC HR-S7800U
JVC HR-S7900U
JVC SR-V10U

Thanks in advance

[lordsmurf]

NTSC is NTSC.

For PAL, other options exist, like JVC HR-S8965U

[henasau]

I found on EBay JVC BR S500E PAL.
I looked at specs and couldn't find TBC on it.
After reading LordSurf's Video capture guides - "VCR TBC suggestions"
I come to conclusion, to get good TBC I realy need to go for a standalone one.
DataVideo 1000 would be my first choice.
I found the BR S500E is clasified as player/ feeder, so it hasn't got record capabilities.
Recording is not important for me.
Is this unit good for capping or I should be more patient ?