Color issues with weird video(which is half Secam half PAL).

[GGuyZ]

Hi guys.

I'm trying to capture a 5 hours home video. Essentially, this is a PAL video. Yet, it seems that until 1h:25m The video constantly jumps from black & white to color if PAL mode is used. To have the video playback properly, I need to configure my VCR to play it as SECAM

I wouldn't mind doing this, but after capturing I noticed that the problem was not completely solved. There are still color/black and white jumps on the top part of the picture(color bleed maybe?). Here is a frame capture demonstrating the issue, even though in reality it jumps so it doesn't always look this bad(but it is quite bad):




If I play this tape on the TV set(when not trying to capture), it does require to use SECAM mode, but these color issues aren't visible.

I wonder, why do I get these weird issues with this tape? What could be done(if anything) to solve it with my current hardware(I don't wish to buy any additional hardware for 1 tape).

Best Regards,
Guy.

[SatStorm]

It seems like you have something of SECAM variation. MESECAM (Middle East SECAM) and not French or Russian SECAM.
Can you play your VHS on other VCRs? You have to do some searching.

Another alternative is a TBC combined with a System convertor. ACE can do this, but it is expensive.

[GGuyZ]

Playing it on a different VCR looked even worse. I'm not sure how to change the color modes there(PAL/SECAM) though.

What do you mean by 'SECAM Variation'? Do you mean that this is simply a middle east SECAM?

[guns1inger]

There are several variations of NTSC, even more variation of PAL, and a couple of SECAM. Welcome to the wonderful world of video standards.

[Dubber]

How old is your 'SECAM' camcorder? AFAIK, they don't make SECAM camcorders for a long time now. Don't confuse TV broadcast system with video recording.

[SatStorm]

Dubber, if he playback SECAM L on a MESECAM VCR, he won't be able to capture the correct colours...

SECAM is known as "System Even Crappier American's" for a reason...

[GGuyZ]

Thanks for the replies.

I've checked this again on one my TVs(no capturing involved). It is visible there too, but it's hardly as significant.

I understand that there's nothing I can do about this?(besides getting a TBC).

I just hope that after capturing and getting this on a dvd, it will look better on a TV set as well.

[jman98]

SECAM is known as "System Even Crappier American's" for a reason...

I've never heard that one. I have heard "System Essentially Contrary to the American Mindset" though. Also "SEcond Color Always Magenta".

For NTSC, I've heard "Never Twice the Same Color". Nobody seems to have a good one for PAL though.