gshelley61,
Thanks for such an article. I am really interested in converting my laserdisc collection to DVD for fear that my current Lasedisc player would breakdown and would neither be able to fix it nor acquire a new one. You have shown how your vcr hooks up through the detailer to the TBC\Proc Amp to the DVD recorder. Now how do you have your hook up to capture from a laserdisc
Also what is the difference between Sima SCC Pro Color Corrector and Sima SCC 2 if any?
Can these detailers and TBC\Proc Amps be used when capturing MPEG-2 to hard disc using either a PCI or USB-2 hardware encoders?
Thanks for such a much needed info.
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If you do not learn from someone's knowledge and experience, then you are doing it the hard way
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Originally Posted by gshelley61
The unit does slightly (VERY slightly, almost unnoticeable) alter properties of the video (color and luminance mostly), even when everything is "off", but if you need everything off, bypass the unit (don't use it!).
Fine piece of equipment.Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
FAQs: Best Blank Discs • Best TBCs • Best VCRs for capture • Restore VHS -
Originally Posted by seekninfo
I've also got a Studio 1 (Sign Video) DR-1000 Image Enhancer which is superb, and now have a Studio 1 Dual Proc Amp on the way... this might be "it", I hope!
Anyway, you could certainly do the same thing (use video processors) with a hardware encoder instead of a DVD recorder.
The Sima SCC-2 has digital adjustments and a wireless remote control. I don't know if it performs any better than the SCC.
Oh, and thanks for the thanks. I have more to post regarding TBC's and other things, but I have been working more than usual and haven't had a chance to sit down and do it. -
My BVP-4 does alter the signal in its "flat" mode and I have to turn the knobs away from their recommended "0" settings to get an input and output that look the same.
In terms of results I prefer the Studio 1/SignVideo Proc Amp (and it has a true bypass switch). I usually try the BVP-4 first but so far have always ended up using the SignVideo instead. -
:gshelley61" and "qlizard" and "trock" The Box you have played with to fix picture problems do you know if you still have Closed Caption Subtiltes. I have the Sima Video Copymaster and Facetvideo box and both rip the closed captins out.
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gshelley61,
Thanks for the reply. I have another question please...Do you have any video/audio synch problems when you capture LD direvtly to mpeg-2? I have read in quite a few places about this. If you do, how do you solve this problem?
Once again, thanks for the reply....You are the bomb!!!!If you do not learn from someone's knowledge and experience, then you are doing it the hard way -
[quote="gshelley61"]That Prime Image unit is indeed a nice TBC.quote]
gshelley61, how would you compare the Prime Image C-Sync to the Datavideo TBC-1000? Are they comparable? Are they both Full Field (or is it Full Frame?) TBCs? -
Originally Posted by spiderman2k1
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Originally Posted by seekninfo
I can't comment on hardware encoding boxes that stream MPEG2 into your computer, though. Haven't tried one of those. -
[quote="tonyp2"]
Originally Posted by gshelley61 -
Thanks. I don't suppse you'd have any bits of knowledge about the old Nova modular system? IIRC there was a C-4 chassis that could hold a number of cards of various types (TBC, BB gnerators, etc..). I wonder how their old card based TBC holds up in the world of classic analog TBCs.
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Originally Posted by tonyp2
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Well, I didn't get that one. Googling on Nova yielded mixed opinions (but not many of these). It suggests Nova was not widely used, and one owner did complain about ragged edges along high contrast black / white transitions. So maybe it's no great loss.
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gshelle61
What is the difference between detailers and image enhancers and does Laird VC2000 have the same function as Vidicraft detaler III?If you do not learn from someone's knowledge and experience, then you are doing it the hard way -
Originally Posted by seekninfo
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I also now prefer going through the Sign Video proc amp instead of the Elite...I think the Elite is useful for poor footage only really...Fine equipment yes, but overkill for most, and some users could drive the signal out of spec way too easy with the range of the controls...
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Originally Posted by MovieMan000Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
FAQs: Best Blank Discs • Best TBCs • Best VCRs for capture • Restore VHS -
[gshelley61 wrote] I have a Nova 700S on the way, so I'll give a report on that one when it gets here.
gshelley61, is the Nova 700S a more recent unit than the card-based Novatrol system? Also, does the 700S require an external sync?
(Sorry for the odd quoting, but for some reason the quote function decided not to work for me today.) -
I got the 700S and discovered it apparently does require external sync (I couldn't get the picture to stabilize). Live and learn. I think the Novatrol system is newer.
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I just missed getting a sweet (looking) Novatrol system on eBay yesterday. My timing was off; it went for only $138. TBC card, BB generator card, card frame and Novatrol 2 front control panel. I'm still kicking myself. The only consolation I have is that I ran across a post on Google suggesting the Nova TBC does not do the best job on high contast transitions (apparently turns them a little raggedy).
When you get right down to it, apart from image control (hue, sat, etc) what do these very expensive TBCs do that something like a TBC-1000 can't? Is the fundamental TBC capability so much better? I ask because I'm thinking of just dealing with reality (money) and getting a TBC-1000, and using my capture card's software to make the hue, sat, adjustments before capture.
Maybe get a SCC-2 to handle the video enhancement / restoration function. So much for saving money. -
The pro units are super heavy duty... designed and built to run continuously for many, many thousands of hours without going out of spec, and to be easily repaired (hence the circuit module cards in the more expensive models). Some pro broadcast gear is more sturdy and expensive (Leitch/DPS), and some brands are value oriented and a bit more lightweight in design (Hotronic).
Some consumer units may certainly perform just as well, but are in a light duty form factor. Look at the Sign Video and Vidicraft processors... they easily rival broadcast gear image quality without the high cost. Lots of people like the AV Tools AVT-8710 TBC, and it does have picture controls (the TBC-1000 does not). -
I have a TBC-1000 (Datavideo): first thing I did was to replace the external power source by a better one and that can handle higher amperage; the one supplied with the TBC-1000 is borderline, especially when you copy Macrovision protected tapes
secondly: when I work on a long job - I put a small ventilator blowing over the equipment -
Very interesting thread.
Personally, I think you have to combine different gems in a chain if you really have bad, bad sources. Several of my oldest videos (from mid-70ies) was greatly improved by running this chain:
PhilipsVCR7700TBC >> TBC1000 >> ACEEnhancer >> ADVC300 >> PC w/Picture Controller.
After several hours of testing where to adjust what this chain is pretty strong.
I have read very little about this gem (the ACE) on this site, but can assure you that it works wonders !!!!
If you're interested in more details - here's the company link:
http://www.gthelectronics.com/controlc.htm
The others in the chain (TBC1000 and ADVC300) is well know and evaluated, and there is plenty of good VCR recommendations, but I have not seen any review yet on the ACE.
Anybody else then me that go it out there ?? -
That ACE unit looks very interesting... They run 300 British pounds - that's about $550 US. Not a bad deal if it is a high quality unit...
Do you think it would work here in North America (power, connections, etc.)?
Edit: I just noticed they make a NTSC version, too. -
Northpole, why do you use a TBC1000 if the ACE lists itself as being a Time Base Corrector? (amongst its other functions)
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Just got my Studio 1 (SignVideo) Dual Proc Amp yesterday... like the DR-1000 and the earlier Vidicraft processers, this box passes through a very accurate and clean video signal. It works great with the DR-1000 Image Enhancer. The dual purpose Luminance/Black Level LED meters work very well and are designed to allow the user to set the black exactly at 7.5 IRE. There are also Clip indicators for luminance and black level. The meters are even more useful and accurate than the VU style meter on the older Vidicraft Proc Amp. Plus, these units have both composite and s-video inputs and outputs. The Dual Proc Amp literally has two separate units in one box. I'm running one composite, and one s-video.
One small annoyance... the Black Level adjustment leaves a few lines at the bottom of the frame unaltered. This area is well outside the overscan, and for VHS there is generally nothing there but smearing anyway. Plus, I've found that once the black level from a decent source is properly set, there is not a noticable difference between the affected area and the bottom few lines. However, for a source that needs heavy black level correction, you would be able to see the effect of this. I checked the owners manual, and it is mentioned - so apparently it is normal for this unit. All the other adjustments affect the entire frame.
So far, it appears the best method for VHS is to run the s-video out from the VCR through the DR-1000 Image Enhancer, then through the Proc Amp and into the DVD recorder. For laserdisc and cable box, the composite video out looks better, so I maintain composite video through to the DVD recorder. I'm running the LD and cable box composite video out through the Vidicraft Detailer III with the Proc Amp looped through it's video accessory pre-amp, then out to the DVD recorder.
Overall, it does what it is designed to do very well... provide high quality Proc Amp adjustments to video signals without further processing (like from a TBC, etc.) and without altering the signal negatively. -
I agree. I like the Studio 1/SignVideo Proc Amp and DR-1000 very much indeed. Coupled with a good VCR (e.g. JVC 9000 series) and the TBC-1000 these do a great job.
trock -
Originally Posted by tonyp2
The main reason for the ACE is it's other function. It converts from/to PAL/NTSC/SECAM in real time on the fly (!!!) and - with NO signal loss or signal degree. And - absolutely no sync problems what so ever. In addition to that, you can adjust the RGB levels separately, together with full control of the saturation, hue and signal sharpness.
I am aware of that several of these functions also have good software solutions - but not so good ! All this adjustments happens in realtime, with no sync problems, no signal loss and nothing left of that "hope and pray" that the result is fine after 12 hours of software filtering.
Complete WYSIWYG control via my ADVC-300 output connections to the TV-set. What you adjust - you see on the TV set and can play with the settings BEFORE capuring, and what you see is also completely identic to the result you get in your DV-AVI file.
This is a very strong chain, and I spent several hours (and A LOT of readings in this forum and over at Lordsmurfs) to get it right set up order-wise.
What is left for me to understand, is the audio part of the capturing. All my equipment and knowledge so far has been focus on the video part. Audio also is important, and I'm not happy with the audio restoration so far. I wish I know about a hardware audio restoration unit I could remove some hiss and buzz and so. The software solutions I have tried so far degrees the audio too much. ("Mumbling" sound).
[Sorry if some of the words is mis-spelled - English is pretty far away from my native language. Hope you got the sense of it anyway] -
I was looking at some used electronic equipment at a Volunteers of America. They had a Recoton unit (I didn't grab the model number) it had some basic color correction and sharpening. It was $15. Would it be worth a try or just junk?
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Recoton is really low end. I wouldn't bother. Look for a bargain on eBay for something of higher quality. Although, for only $15 it might be worth a try just for giggles.
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