What are these streaks on VHS tape?

[fstrat76]

Some parts of tapes I am converting contain streaks. These streaks fluctuate. I don't see them on all clips. I see similar streaks on other tapes as well. All are VHS tapes made with the same camcorder. They are noticeable playing on the source device as well.

I'm using the JVC SR-V101US with TBC on > Canopus ADVC 110 to capture.

Is there any vdub filter that will help reduce these streaks?

[redwudz]

I can't think of any VD noise filter that will do much good, but you could try shifting the color and lessen them. That is if they all contain the 'red' tint. The RGB filter may work best for that. VD filters: http://neuron2.net/

[luigi2000]

This distortion is called "clampstreaking". Analog processing of a video signal includes circuitry that keeps the signal baseline at a constant voltage by clamping the signal during the horizontal sync time or more typically during the backporch time. If the timing or level of the clamp pulses are incorrect, then horizontal streaks will be seen. The color timing burst pulse is also on the backporch of the video signal. Distortion of the backporch can distort the color of that line.

If the video signal distortion is not recorded on the tape, then use another VCR model for analog to digital conversion playback.

[fstrat76]

The defects are there when I play it back on any VCR or the original camcorder. Its much more noticeable on the SR-V101US because the clip is alot cleaner and sharper when using this vcr. If I use a different device, its less noticeable but at the sacrifice of picture quality.

Its mostly seen as pink streaks on bright blue backgrounds, sometimes more than others.

I tried using the RGB filter, that helps, but obviously changes everything.

I have a stupid question: Are there any filters that work on part of a frame?

[lordsmurf]

That error can be reduced with chroma noise filters.

[luigi2000]

Get the camera aligned, especially if your recorder is covered by warranty. Either the horizontal blanking or the clamping circuitry needs adjustment or repair.

Views of bright sky are good tests for motion or still cameras. But video should not streak, even if the hilights are blown out.

[fstrat76]

That camera is not even in use anymore. Like the tape, its 20 years old. When I play it back through that device, its not as bad as playing it through the JVC VCR. The JVC is definately enhancing the problem though.

I tried dynamic noise reduction and chroma noise reduction in VirtualDub. It helps a little but not that much.

It seems that different tapes are not as bad but this one in particular is pretty bad.

[jagabo]

Try the flaxen vhs filter for VirtualDub.

[fstrat76]

I tried the flaxen. I didn't have much luck. Also, I noticed that the JVC brings out much more color than some other vcr's I tried, so this particular clip above seems over saturated with color.

I had a little success using the following:

dynamic noise reduction (MMX)
chroma noise reduction - helps a little on larger "patches"
White Balance - this helps reduce some of the pink lines
brightness/contrast - to reduce the brightness effect the white balance has on the pic
HSV adjust - reducing the saturation takes some of the pink out as well

However, I'm not sure this is the "optimal" order of filters. Perhaps there are some better ones available also.

We're getting there. Thanks for everyones help.

Here's the latest filtered pic:

[redwudz]

I got similar results to yours with Photoshop on the first JPG. It did shift the color of the rest of the frame, but at least it played down the red streaking a little. It seemed the best results were from shifting the color and dropping the saturation a little. I think you've tried most of the VD filters that would help. Your result may be about as good as it gets.

[SatStorm]

temporal smoother may help, but it gonna mess with the motion.
So the "framemerger" filter