ADVC-300 audio capturing oddities (treble/bass response)

[Wile_E]

JVC HR-S9911U
ADVC-300
Recording to DVD 448 AC-3 (Tmpgenc)

I have several "Hi-Fi" S-VHS tapes I'm capturing. I notice some oddities with how the Treble/Bass sliders in Canopus "picture controller" software, balance the overall frequency response coming through the ADVC-300. If I leave the audio sliders to the default (middle), the audio sounds muffled after capturing and playback on DVD player.

To get decent high frequency response, I started boosting the treble slider all the way. Then I slowly raise the bass, until what I'm capturing sounds good. I noticed the more you boost the bass, the high frequencies are cut-off. I find this odd, that the ADVC-300 does this to audio.

After experimenting some more with the audio sliders, I've come a conclusion. The ADVC-300 software somehow "normalizes" the frequency response, the more you boost the bass. More bass = less treble. Also when you boost these sliders, you have to turn down the main volume control, or you get bad clicks/pops (clipping) in the audio. I use Vegas Movie Studio to check my audio levels, but even when the audio is below Digital Zero, I still sometimes get clicks and pops!!!

I know S-VHS Hi-Fi has limited frequency range, but the response I get from ADVC-300 audio output is odd. It should still maintain high frequencies, even if you boost the bass a little. But it starts cutting them off. Treble is automatically lowered, but not shown to the user, the more you boost the bass.

I think this ADVC-300 was rushed out to soon to the customer, without being tested enough by Canopus.

[Westcott]

S-VHS hi-fi analog audio can be excellent. I have a SONY R5UC and the audio I have recorded off air is excellent - full range and very rich.

Since the Canopus ADVC audio software isn't working for you, I would forget about it .

Use audio SW settings in the default position and run your VHS audio through an external audio equalizer before patching it into the ADVC box to your computer. You do not need anything fancy. A simple EQ from RS should do the job (about $100).

At $500+, that Canopus ADVC 300 is expensive - especially when it doesn't work as it should.

Please post your results.

[Speed Demon]

Can anyone confirm the audio of the Canopus ADVC-300 isn't working well in the default setting?
That would really not be good - I'd like to have good audio.