Video Capture Question

[James Penner]

Hello,

This is my first post to this forum, and I'm hoping someone might be able to help me. I'm using a Hauppauge PVR 250 to capture video from my VCR. I find that as long as the source video is relatively flicker free, I get great results.

However, if a tape is already flicking a little, it seems to get amplified considerably when I try to capture it. I'm wondering - is it possible the increased flicker is due to the signal being processed/compressed as it's being recorded onto the computer? Would it help to get a capture card that would record the signal in raw format?

Any help on this and any suggestions to decrease the flicker would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

[mike909]

What software are you using for the capture? I have yet to capture from vhs, but my guess is a filter of some sort would have to be used for reducing flicker. There are many users on this forum who captuer a lot from vhs, and I am sure this issue has been discussed before. Have you tried the forum search tool?

[InXess]

Either adjust video heads in your VCR or use time base corrector (search the forum for such posts) to get flicker free video.

[steveryan]

Get a decent JVC S-VHS with a built-in time base corrector, that will stabalize the image (assuming the tapes are not too bad) and your problems will be gone. This is probably the cheapest option, if that doesn't help you're looking at a TBC. It's not a cheap hobby BTW, i've used the 250 and it's a superb card, stick with it.

[James Penner]

I just wish I'd known about this forum before buying my new VCR. Up to this point, I had no idea what a time base corrector was. I could have saved some decent coin if I'd spent the extra money initially to get a better machine. Ah well, live and learn. I guess I'll be keeping my eyes open for a decent TBC. Any suggestions on a good brand/model?

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!

[bendixG15]

TBC's have been discussed to death.

Suggest you spend some time with the search function and read some of the treads.
There are different opinions out there and you really need to read 3 or 4 good treads to get a balanced view.
I recommend this because a good TBC costs big bucks if you are just a casual amatuer.
Good Luck/

[davideck]

Are you talking about brightness flicker?
If so, I would not expect a TBC to help much.
Have you tried a different VCR?

[InXess]

Many standalone DVR's are equipped with TBC capabilities but to what degree I can't tell. Depending on the type of fault they may offer a good alternative. You get very good, time saving recording method and quality, basic editing, straight forward setup plus built in TBC. Again, forum search will help. First, I would try to play your tapes on different VCR's to see if the fault is replicable and to what degree. Some, even obscure VCR's can be a cure you're looking for. Ask your friends to allow checking how it plays on their equipment and go from there.