How to slow down VHS playback slightly - voice is too high

[trombonecharlie]

I have a VHS tape that was recorded 10 years ago. When playing back (on any machine), it plays back a little too fast. The voices are noticeably too high. Is there some way to convert this to slow it down maybe 10% and lower the voice. I don't want to buy any expensive gear as it is only the one tape.

[jman98]

I think you're attacking this problem from the wrong way potentially, but as most new members do, you have erroneously concluded that by withholding crucial details you are actually making it easier to get help.

What exactly is your goal? To simply play this back on a VCR slower? I don't think that's possible, not without maybe making some mechanical adjustments you may not be up to doing.


If your unstated goal is to actually record this and get it to DVD, then the best approach would be to get it on a PC and fix the audio there. There are free tools like Audacity that could fix this problem easily. I'm guessing that if the playback slowed down 10% you'd also have issues with the video being too slow, but again, your post is skimpy on exactly what you want to accomplish and what hardware/software you have to accomplish your goal, so all we can do is make guesses.

[trombonecharlie]

The video appears to be too fast as well. I'd be happy if I could make the voices sound more natural (lower pitched), but slowing down the video would be a bonus.
I have captured the VHS video into an MPEG file but the same high pitch effect is there. And I would be happy to just correct the file on the computer. Don't need to worry about the tape. Thanks.

[davexnet]

The video appears to be too fast as well. I'd be happy if I could make the voices sound more natural (lower pitched), but slowing down the video would be a bonus.
I have captured the VHS video into an MPEG file but the same high pitch effect is there. And I would be happy to just correct the file on the computer. Don't need to worry about the tape. Thanks.

Is it possible to post a sample? 5 - 10 seconds that shows the problem - should be enough.

[manono]

Yeah, a sample, one with steady movement, would be good. Are you especially sensitive to this sort of thing? A musician perhaps? Do you have perfect pitch?

[jman98]

I have captured the VHS video into an MPEG file but the same high pitch effect is there. And I would be happy to just correct the file on the computer. Don't need to worry about the tape. Thanks.

"MPEG file" could mean a lot of different things. I guess it was going to kill you to tell us what you used to capture with as that could also be useful to know. Good luck to the others who have the patience to deal with you.

[rdoty]

You might try to borrow a variable transformer and gradually reduce the input voltage from say 115VAC to 100VAC. That would work if the VCR drive motor is AC but probably not if DC. Worth a try. Many "geeks" or hams have one laying around...if you were in the Denver area I'd loan you one.