DataVideo TBC-100

[Smack2k]

Is the DataVideo TBC-100 PCI Card a good TBC?

I was thinking about buying this and installing in my PC to convert some of my more jumpy and lower Video Quality VHS tapes.

Between this and the TBC-1000 is there a huge difference?

Just getting into TBC's, so I dont know much about them yet.

Thanks!

[orsetto]

As far as I've ever heard, the DataVideo TBC-100 card is identical in functionality to the standalone TBC-1000. I've owned three different TBC-1000 units over the last few years, none was particularly effective at removing jitter. I would not buy any TBC assuming that it would fix jitter: that symptom can often be caused by issues TBC circuits cannot repair. If at all possible, get a PC card or standalone TBC from a vendor who allows return/exchange if it doesn't work for you. Worst comes to worst, the DataVideo models have very good resale value on eBay: you can always resell yourself if it proves unnecessary or after you've done with it. There are a variety of TBC cards out there besides DataVideo, perhaps someone else here can suggest one thats good at jitter suppression. In external standalones, there are only two credible options: the AVT-8710 or the DataVideo TBC-1000. They've both been on the market for years, these days the AVT-8710 is thought to have a slight edge in versatility and is less expensive than the TBC-1000. The PC card version TBC-100 is very cost effective, especially if bought second hand. Avoid old worn-out professional TBCs you might see very cheap on eBay: they are no good for DVD transfers.

Often the functionality provided by dedicated TBCs is transparent, they don't seem to have a noticeable effect. One of the most important is when capturing to a PC-based encoder card: a TBC keeps frames from dropping on worn tapes, which in turn avoids lip-sync audio drift problems with certain sensitive capture cards. That kind of TBC benefit is not immediately obvious, you won't know if it worked or if you even needed it until you run tests with your own hardware and tapes. The effects of a TBC built into a VCR are more obvious: these work in a different way and in conjunction with related noise-reduction circuits. Each type of TBC treats a different symptom.

[lordsmurf]

Jitter is most often a by-product of tracking issues on a smaller scale.

[Smack2k]

Thanks for the information. I think I will go get the PCI Card and see what happens.

[classfour]

The PC card is installed in the PCI slot, but really only uses the 12 volt power connection, not the motherboard. Because of this: I installed one in an old external drive enclosure - making it more portable than if it were installed in my desktop. I did have to use some creativity in mounting it (I used plastic standoffs to ensure the card did not touch the case). It was a good salvage as the old enclosure's USB card was problematic anyway.