Tracking problems with my Sony SLV-N55..

[etecnifibre]

I have some old basketball games that are copies of other VHS tapes, and I get tracking problems, jerky video near the top of the screen. I took the tapes to a friend's house, who has 3 commercial grade Panasonics and one Panasonic AG-1980. The tape played fine. I don't need all the features of the AG-1980, just some good quality playback. Would Panasonic use basically the same parts in their regular VCR's that they use in the 1980? Kind of like a Chevy uses the same basic parts whether it's a Cavalier or a Vet (same dials and such, trying to use an analogy here :<)

Could someone recommend me a good VCR? I posted this a few days ago, and the post isn't around anymore. Thanks!!

[thecoalman]

Does the jerkiness appear on a TV with the same VCR or just on the computer?

BTW...they changed servers and some posts were lost.

Edit: just looked that VCR up that's a $1200 VCR with TBC. The TBC can correct problems with tapes. There's cheaper ones available with TBC such as some JVC models. Standalone TBC's can be used too.

Too answer your question yes a VCR can affect how good a tape plays especially if your using one like that.

[etecnifibre]

Haven't tried it on a TV with the same VCR. I've got literally hundreds of tapes, and my problems only seem to happen on second generation tapes.

I don't know what TBC is. Can you fill me in there, maybe suggest a model to buy? I've thought about just taking my tapes to Circuit City and popping them in until I find one that plays them well, but would like to go in with some knowledge of what to look for.

[thecoalman]

1.The first thing you need to determine is if it's present on a VCR to TV connection.

2. Go here and follow the guide on how to capture with you card. www.digitalfaq.com While read the rest of the pages it's a great site packed with a lot of good info.

The ATI AIW's have trouble with older tapes, second generation etc. IMO it's caused by false Macrovision detection, others suggest different. Whatever the cause it's present.

If it isn't present on your TV and after following the guide it still is present on your computer you need to get a video enhancer (a general term). These range in price from basic models $50 to about $300 for a TBC (search the glossary to the left). There's VCR's that have built in TBC's too such as the model you listed above.

Most og the "Guru's" around here use either a TBC or VCR with TBC. It can actually improve the quality tape.... Go here and search for TBC or look for JVC models with TBC. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=getpage&Q=RootPage.jsp If spending an additional 3 or 4 hundred bucks isn't a problem it's the way to go.

BTW you probably won't find these at Circuit City.

[etecnifibre]

Tried it on my TV, worked fine. Hooked it back up to my computer, worked fine. Maybe just a loose connection. Other games worked fine (with the current set-up). Thanks for the help.

[etecnifibre]

Still having some issues with another game that seems to work fine on another setup. This is the first trouble I've had out of my ATI AIW, so I like this setup. For the videos I have trouble with, should I try maybe another brand of capture card, maybe a PCI card? I'm just transferring basketball games to DVD, so while quality is important, it's not life and death between slightly noticable clarities. I can't have jumpy crap all over the top, though, and this is what I am experiencing.

[thecoalman]

Change your subject line to 7500 AIW capture problems, there's quite a few people that have your card that have had the same issues. They'll be able to give you better advice than me, generally though it's going to be the same I gave. It's the card and the tape.....it's pretty common.

Have you followed the guide on the link I posted above? There's a link for a hack there that may resolve the problem. Another quick fix that may help is a cheap enhancer which can be purchased at Best Buy etc.. There usually in the A/V section, look for the Sima brands.

[etecnifibre]

I've got an ATI 8500 AIW. Thanks for the info. I'll try all this stuff!

[thecoalman]

Your computer profile says otherwise

[etecnifibre]

Ooh, wow. It does. That computer is now my wife's machine, minus the 7500 card, plus a DVD Burner, etc. I'll have to update that. THanks.