Toshiba D-R4 settings for VHS caps?

[anitract]

I'll be doing some test caps this week on my new D-R4. (Yahoo!) Anyway, do any of you Toshiba users have any settings preferences for this unit & VHS captures?

Some questions...

1. Do you do IRE adjustments to 0?
2. Is XP mode much better than SP?
3. DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, or DVD-R?
4. Under "DVD Compatible Mode" setting...Main, SAP, or Off?
5. Edge enhancing - soft, off, or sharp?
6. DNR - I notice several settings, & a warning that detail can be lost. Thoughts?
7. For interlaced sources like VHS, this machine doesn't automatically convert to progressive, does it?

Thanks. Be on the lookout for some test caps comparing the D-R4 & ATI AIW.

[DVWannaB]

I'll be doing some test caps this week on my new D-R4. (Yahoo!) Anyway, do any of you Toshiba users have any settings preferences for this unit & VHS captures?

Some questions...

1. Do you do IRE adjustments to 0?
2. Is XP mode much better than SP?
3. DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, or DVD-R?
4. Under "DVD Compatible Mode" setting...Main, SAP, or Off?
5. Edge enhancing - soft, off, or sharp?
6. DNR - I notice several settings, & a warning that detail can be lost. Thoughts?
7. For interlaced sources like VHS, this machine doesn't automatically convert to progressive, does it?

Thanks. Be on the lookout for some test caps comparing the D-R4 & ATI AIW.

Some answers...

1. Do you do IRE adjustments to 0? - Depends on the tape. Most cases I have seen with VHS I see require adjust to IRE 7.5

2. Is XP mode much better than SP? - Is there any other setting besides XP? (just kidding) YES!!

3. DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, or DVD-R ? - Depends on your goal. Keep forever or until disc falls apart (whichever comes first), then -R. Temp storage or author on computer, then -RW or that other format (refuse to call it by name).

4. Under "DVD Compatible Mode" setting...Main, SAP, or Off? - I use MAIN.

5. Edge enhancing - soft, off, or sharp? - Depends on quality of VHS. Store bought in great condidtion, go for sharp. TV caps, off or soft may be the best bet to kill that noise.

6. DNR - I notice several settings, & a warning that detail can be lost. Thoughts? - Trial and error needed here. Copy short clip to -RW and watch and decide.

7. For interlaced sources like VHS, this machine doesn't automatically convert to progressive, does it? - there are no progressive recording DVD recorders on the market that I know of.

[anitract]

Thanks for the input DVWannaB. Thinking about this, since I have a JVC HR-S9500U, I think I will most likely end up with DNR off on the Toshiba. Definitely will experiment with the sharpness setting. My home videos are in great shape, though they were shot back in the 80s and 90s...

This is for anyone: where is the black level adjusted on this thing? There is a menu called "Picture Record Mode" with Standard, Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, & Mode 4 settings. There is also something called "Input Black Level" with Standard and Enhanced settings.

Also, this raises 2 questions for me. Let's say I have a typical VHS home video. That said...

1. What setting would I want on my Toshiba to record the tape just like it is (no IRE adjustments)?
2. What settings would I want to record the tape with it adjusted to a 0 IRE level?

[gshelley61]

Picture Record Mode is where you can adjust the input black level. "Standard" is for stretching 7.5 IRE sources down to 0 IRE. That's the setting you would use for VHS, TV tuner, laserdisc, 8mm, etc.

"Enhanced" would be used for a 0 IRE source (like MiniDV or Digital8 camcorders). No correction to black level is applied in this setting. Whatever you send the unit, that's what you will get in your recording.

The input picture "Mode" adjustments appear to be gamma settings. Standard is where you would want to keep it most of the time, unless you have a source that is darker than normal... then try one of the four "Mode" settings.

The D-R4 has no other video input filters... no input noise reduction, for example.

On the playback side, there are additional adjustments that have been mentioned above like color, contrast, brightness, sharpness, DNR, black level, etc. They have absolutely no effect on the recording at all. "Enhanced" black level output will send a 0-100 IRE signal to your TV (no black level setup added). "Standard" black level output sends the traditional NTSC 7.5-100 IRE signal (7.5 IRE black level setup added). I run mine at "Enhanced" 0 IRE black level output and have my monitor adjusted accordingly.

[anitract]

Hey gshelley61! Ok, so let me see if I've got this right (I'm at work and don't have the unit in front of me though)...

+If I want to convert my VHS tapes to IRE 0, I should select "Standard" from the menu option called "Input Black Level".

+DNR and edge enhancement settings are ONLY for playback. This means I can mess with them all I like and the captured file will not be affected.

Do those points sound right?

Finally, one more IRE question. If "Standard" is selected and a source is at a hypothetical 3 IRE black level, does that mean the unit detects this and moves it to the correct level of 0, or does it subtract 7.5, thus moving the signal too low (to -4.5)? This is important for me to understand since I will be using a BVP-4 proc amp most of the time & possibly altering the specs before they hit the toshiba.

[gshelley61]

You've got it. And, yes - the unit actually reduces black level by -7.5 IRE when set to "Standard" input video black level, while maintaining the source peak luma levels. It doesn't automatically adjust to 0 IRE... so, if you source is not anywhere near 7.5 IRE, it will not look quite right.

[Marvingj]

The settings that gshelley61 stated is absolutely true but if you want adjustment to black video level I would advised you picking up a signvideo image enhancer but if thats to high for you blood get a vidicraft 2,3, or 4. You can find them cheap on Ebay & that made by the same people.

[anitract]

Ok, I did a test capture last night. I'll try and get some screens up soon. Here are some observations:

+ XP mode looks great!

+ Since I used a bvp-4 to adjust IRE level, I put both the input & output of the Toshiba to Enhanced black level. Otherwise it was making my all-ready-adjusted picture too dark. I guess I'll have to try getting a meter or try Vegas to see what my black level is.

+ Going to test SP tonight. Does anyone know what resolution the Toshiba records at at this setting?

+ Very straight-forward to use. I used DVD-RW media that wasn't listed as an officially supported media and after formatting it performed great.

+After setting my clock, I noticed that it was off this morning. Said like 2am. Is there a glitch with this unit and its clock?

[gshelley61]

if you disconnect the power from the D-R4, the clock resets to 12:00 (maybe there was a power outage?)

[anitract]

I guess it's possible. The only other clock I have w/out batter backup is my JVC VCR, but that wasn't reset. Ah, I'll try setting it again I guess.

[MeekloBraca]

Does the Toshiba have flexable recording mode or 3 hour mode?

[gshelley61]

Does the Toshiba have flexable recording mode or 3 hour mode?

You can manually set recording to any bit rate you want, so yes in a way it is like FR. You can also choose from several audio recording bit rates.

Edit: Oops - wrong. I was thinking of the RD-XS34. It turns out the D-R4 does not have the same type of bit rate adjustments.

[MeekloBraca]

So if you set the bit rate at XXX bitrate will it show how long it is good for?

And also does the Toshiba use the same chipset as the JVC?

[anitract]

I don't think it is an LSI chipset.

[MeekloBraca]

I see on the toshiba website that it has a Time Based Corrector.

Now i know some of you think that a built in TBC with a DVD recorder is useless, but on my JVC DRM70 i notice a difference, do you guys notice a difference with the TBC?

[Lou71]

@MeekloBraca

I had that very same JVC, replaced it with the Toshiba D-R4 in Dec 2005.
It does have both FR mode & 3 hr mode. I also found that it had a noticably stronger TBC than the JVC.
I mostly use it for Satelitte Caps and find it has a better picture than the JVC as well.
Capturing VHS I find that the picture is more stable on the Toshiba than with the JVC, the JVC Noise Reduction system, Digipure does do a better job filtering noise though.
Overall I am much happier with the D-R4 than the DRM70.
The lack of 3HR & FR mode drove me nuts with the JVC.

[MeekloBraca]

alright thank you for your input, i just bought the DR4 and will compare products, and then take back whichever i dont like.....

god bless 30 day return guarantees...

[MeekloBraca]

How do you work the FR mode on this thing? ahahhaha

[MeekloBraca]

I dont know.

The JVC does have better filters and it records a lot more sharply than does the Toshiba, but in its pretty noticable the blocks of video degredation between the JVC 4 hour mode, which is still really good, and the the toshiba 3 hour mode.

Again i wish that the DRM70 had an exact same model with the 3 hour mode, i still think its a slightly slightly slightly better machine.

[Lou71]

@MeekloBraca

The JVC does have better filters and it records a lot more sharply than does the Toshiba

You can adjust the sharpness on the Toshiba under the custom picture setting in the setup menu, you can also adjust the Brightness, Contrast, color, tint, and gamma levels as well.
It will also save 3 seperate custom settings to match different sources.
Try that on a JVC without having to buy a seperate Proc Amp.

The FR Mode is in the Timer record section when you press the Easy Navi button when you Cycle though XP, SP,Mp etc.. till you find AT just adjust your time for how long you want to record the The AT setting will adjust the bitrate automatically

[gshelley61]

[quote="Lou71"]@MeekloBraca

You can adjust the sharpness on the Toshiba under the custom picture setting in the setup menu, you can also adjust the Brightness, Contrast, color, tint, and gamma levels as well.
It will also save 3 seperate custom settings to match different sources.

Incorrect. Those settings only apply to playback and video signal pass through output on the D-R4. They do not affect the recording at all. The only adjustments on the input (recording) side of the machine are black level and "mode" settings, which are kind of like gamma settings.

[anitract]

The JVC does have better filters and it records a lot more sharply than does the Toshiba...

The JVC looks sharper than the Toshiba? Would you be willing to post a test capture from both units of the same frame showing this? I ask because I don't believe you. In every comparison I've seen, the Toshiba was noticably sharper.

[ejai]

I notice that a selection for "Edge enhancing"" is an option on the DR4, I have the DR5 but have not seen this selection. Where is this function on the DR4. Is it used before recording the video or just for playback?

[Lou71]

@gshelley61

Incorrect. Those settings only apply to playback and video signal pass through output on the D-R4. They do not affect the recording at all

You are correct, I was thinking of when I use the D-R4 as a passthrough to my Hauppauge card if I am Backing up one of my old tapes.

This works really well as I find the TBC in the toshiba really helps straighten out some old tapes, and the Hauppauge ignores copy protection.

[Lou71]

@anitract

In every comparison I've seen, the Toshiba was noticably sharper

.

I would certainly agree with this, having owned both I find the Toshiba has a sharper more accurate picture. I felt the JVC was a little soft.

I would do a new comparison if I still owned the JVC, I got rid of it less than a week after getting the Toshiba.

I will see if I can find some old clips I recorded with the JVC when I was comparing it to the D-R4. I thought the Toshiba was the clear winner.

[ejai]

Toshiba has the most sharpest picture I've seen yet as well. Not only is it sharp but clean.

[gshelley61]

I notice that a selection for "Edge enhancing"" is an option on the DR4, I have the DR5 but have not seen this selection. Where is this function on the DR4. Is it used before recording the video or just for playback?

just for playback/output only

[gshelley61]

@gshelley61

Incorrect. Those settings only apply to playback and video signal pass through output on the D-R4. They do not affect the recording at all

You are correct, I was thinking of when I use the D-R4 as a passthrough to my Hauppauge card if I am Backing up one of my old tapes.

This works really well as I find the TBC in the toshiba really helps straighten out some old tapes, and the Hauppauge ignores copy protection.

The unit makes a decent pass-through TBC/proc amp/sharpener, and it can compensate for 7.5 IRE black level sources to provide a 0 IRE output for capturing devices or other DVD recorders that don't have this function.

If you set the D-R4 input/recording video black level to "Standard", and the output video black level to "Enhanced", when you run a North American NTSC 7.5 IRE black level source (like VHS) through the unit the black level will be stretched down to 0 IRE while the source white level (luma) is maintained. The s-video and composite outputs of the D-R4, having been set to "Enhanced" black level, will not add any setup to this compensated image and you will have a 0 IRE black level signal suitable for Lite-On and JVC DVD recorders that do not have this adjustment capability.

Further, the D-R4's output picture controls (brightness, contrast, color, edge enhance, etc.) are active on video pass-through and can be used to tweak the image prior to capturing with another DVD recorder or capturing device.

[ejai]

Thanks Gshelley, I don't think the DR5 has Edge enhancement, I will check later when I go home. While making a comparison of the 2 units DR4 - DR5 I don't see any info listed on Toshiba's website concerning enhancements on the DR5 page, only on the DR4.

I guess you get some and you lose some.

[gshelley61]

Thanks Gshelley, I don't think the DR5 has Edge enhancement, I will check later when I go home. While making a comparison of the 2 units DR4 - DR5 I don't see any info listed on Toshiba's website concerning enhancements on the DR5 page, only on the DR4.

I guess you get some and you lose some.

It may be on the output side like it is in the D-R4...