VHS To DVD

[Mistress Diana]

Sorry, this is going to be a bit long, and I hope someone can help. Did a little looking, did not find anything to match my question so here goes.
Transferring VHS tapes, personal videos, not movies so no protection probs. Tried doing it from VCR to DVD Recorder, problems when there was a glitch in tape, would lose entire DVD disk, message disc error. Now doing it using VCR attached to computer via external equipment, currently Dazzle Digital Video Creator 80 and Studio software that came with it. Works pretty good most of time, but have a few tapes with glitches in them and when they happen the video continues, but no audio. Tried diff software, windvd creator, same prob. Any suggestions how to overcome this. I tried ATI external hardware only to find out it was not compatible with XP Media Center, plus the support is lousy. These tapes are very old, combination of camcorder, copies done VHS to VHS via VCR, really a mixture. I do not expect anything great as far as quality, as I know end product will only be as good as original was. I just want to fiind something that is not so sensitive to every little glitch, rolling, snow, blank spot for a second or two while starting another sceneon the tape. I have neither the time or the inclination to try to watch upwards of 35 tapes, and try to mark time between good parts, and even tho I did try with one tape, sometimes the glitch is missed by me. Unfortunately I have a limited budget but because I am going to do more than just these tapes I feel whatever I spend will be worthwhile. Any and all suggestions for hardware, software, anything will be greatly appreciated. Again I am sorry that this is so long, but wanted to give as much info as I could. Keep in mind, the problem is the loss of audio once a glitch is picked up while transferring the tape to the computer.

[FulciLives]

Sounds like you need what is called a Full Frame TBC which is short for Time Base Corrector.

Here is a thread to read ---> CLICK HERE

Basically it boils down to either the AVT-8710 (about $190 USD) or the DataVideo TBC-1000 (about $300 USD) both of which can be bought new from the B&H PHOTO & VIDEO website.

The other option is to buy a used "professional" model on eBay but that is very hit or miss if you ask me.

There are other models you can buy new but from the two listed above the price range jumps up to around $1,000 USD or more.

Another option ... it has recently been discovered here in a thread that digital camcorders (miniDV or Digital8) that have analog-to-digital passthrough have (at least some models) a very robust TBC built-in so you can turn such a camcorder into a capture device. For more info here is a link to that thread ---> CLICK HERE

That thread also brings up the fact that some VHS VCR units (usually only S-VHS units) have a built-in TBC but that kind of TBC is called a Line TBC and sometimes it is not enough and sometimes it makes things worse.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[BrainStorm69]

Another option ... it has recently been discovered here in a thread that digital camcorders (miniDV or Digital8) that have analog-to-digital passthrough have (at least some models) a very robust TBC built-in so you can turn such a camcorder into a capture device. For more info here is a link to that thread ---> CLICK HERE

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

One other option that thread brings up is that you may be able to use your DVD recorder as a pass-through device (i.e., you hook your vcr up to the DVD recorder inputs and your other recording device to the DVD recorder outputs but do not capture anything with the DVD recorder - you just let the audio and video "pass through" it) that provides continous synch which may help with the "glitches."

If you don't have a camcorder with a passthrough capability, you might want to try that before you spend any money on a TBC.