Playback Problem

[Pop1280]

Not sure what forum I should put this in so I'll try here.

I don't know what to make of this problem and thought someone here might have an idea. I do VHS to DVD-R transfers using a JVC DVD recorder. I use a Sony DVD-/+R/RW drive on my PC. I use DVD-Decrypter for ripping and burning. For menus and light editing, I use DVD-Lab Pro. My main standalone DVD player is a Philips DVP642.

The problem is that during playback on my PC, there tends to be two or three areas of distortion or error. This is most noticeable at the bottom where the picture appears to fold over or be otherwise distorted. When it occurs on the side, it generally appears as black and a light fuzzy/hazy area. This playback issue only occurs on the PC. I have experienced this problem with both my Sony & NEC drives and with both WinDVD & Windows Media Player.

The problem does not occur on my standalone Philips DVD player nor any other I've tried playing these discs on. The overall picture quality also tends to look better on my standalone player. What might appear fuzzy on the PC may look quite a bit sharper on the standalone. I have given many such discs to friends and have never heard them complain of any such problems on their standalone players.

Here are three examples of these issues.

The first pic is an example of a movie that was transferred from VHS to DVD-R using the JVC DVD recorder.


The second pic is an example of a movie that was transferred from VHS to DVD-R using the JVC DVD recorder then run through DVD-Lab Pro for menus and chapters then burned to DVD-R with DVD-Decrypter and Sony burner.



The third pic is an example of a movie that was downloaded and burned to DVD+R by a friend of mine. I took that, ran it through DVD-Lab Pro installing menu and chapters then burned it to DVD-R with DVD Decrypter and Sony burner. My guess on original source material would be the old UK Vipco DVD but that's just a guess.



The last pic is an example of playback with no apparent problems. This was another movie that a friend sent to me. He downloaded and burned this to DVD+R. I took that, ran it through DVD-Lab Pro for menus and chapter selections then burned it to DVD-R using DVD-Decrypter and my Sony burner.




Note that the only constant here is that the problems occur during playback on my PC with every transfer I've made with my JVC. Whether I play them directly after transfer or rip, edit and burn a new copy, the issue is the same. However, it only occurs on the PC and never on my standalone DVD players.

Any ideas?

[Krispy Kritter]

I expect when you play them back on your standalone, you are playing them on a conventional crt TV? These are the overscan areas. The actual video is larger than a Tv can display, so those edges are not seen. When played back on your pc, they are visible. Do a search on "overscan" for a better definition.

[Pop1280]

Thanks for the reply. I took your suggestion and read a few things regarding overscan. Now I understand why these areas appear on my PC yet I don't see them on my TV.

Now two more questions.

(1) What causes these problem areas with some transfers (like with my JVC) and not others?

(2) Is it preventable?

[Krispy Kritter]

I don't know exactly. I would expect it is hardware related, possibly with the output of your vcr. Maybe someone else can answer for certain.