Looking for a DAC to capture with

[Sir_Loin]

Hi guys

Ive been doing quite a few video conversions over the last 18 months and I need to grow so my service times are reduced.

I currently have a small range of S-VHS and VHS machines and have been using the ADVC-100 to convert and capture into an 2013 iMac.

Having a working history in many facets of post production, I just happened to have lieing around an Atomos Video recorder which accepts HDMI. It captures to a SSD uncompressed video (in my case all the variations of ProRes). I would if possible, like to try to capture to this device via HDMI.

Im in PAL land and the specs suggest it captures in 576i. I just need to find a converter that will take an analog signal from my (soon to buy) Panasonic ES-15 (or other TBC as advised) and convert it to HDMI

I looked at the Datavideo DAC-70 up/down/cross converter, but the closest video output of that device is 525i or 625i and not 576i. And at US$500, its a little pricey considering all the other options. Plus i need to consider an analog to SDI converter.

Oh my head is spinning.

The option of capturing without adding computers into the mix really appeals to me. Would anyone have any suggestions or see any problems with what has been suggested.

Thanks a lot

ps. I should also add, that I would like to grow this business and am happy to consider options that help me further along this path.

[Brad]

Panasonic has other DVD recorders, which output HDMI. There is a discussion about one at the moment that you may want to wait on before buying anything. The German Gleitz-Forum indicates that these HDMI models have less-powerful TBC than the DMR-ES10, but perhaps it would be enough for your purposes. No clue where the PAL ES15 fits into things.

ProRes is not uncompressed.

625i is 576i. They're just including the blanking interval.

[Skiller]

No clue where the PAL ES15 fits into things.

TBC wise the ES15 is the same as all of the HDMI equipped ones, minus the HDMI out of course. This means the ES15 is basically superflous if you will – because you would either use the ES10 for it's superior TBC qualities, or any of the HDMI ones if their TBC qualities are good enough and capture via HDMI which you can't do with the ES15.

[Sir_Loin]

Silly me. I should have looked into DVD recorders with hdmi out. Great suggestion.

So correct me if I am wrong, I could go from SVHS --> TBC DVD Recorder (HDMI out) --> Video Capture Device (HDMI in)

If so, is there DVD recorder with TBC that you would recommend or would you advise bringing an external TBC into the mix. Unfortunately I missed out on the ES15 purchase last night

Thanks very much for your advice.

[Skiller]

I could go from SVHS --> TBC DVD Recorder (HDMI out) --> Video Capture Device (HDMI in)

Yes, you can do that. With Panasonic DVD recorders (which are strongly suggested) you will also need an HDMI splitter that discards HDCP because otherwise you can't capture the HDMI out.

If so, is there DVD recorder with TBC that you would recommend or would you advise bringing an external TBC into the mix.

Get one of the HDMI equipped Panasonics (they are all the same in terms of DAC and TBC, so which one exactly you get doesn't matter). For example DMR-EH65, 575, 585.

Unfortunately I missed out on the ES15 purchase last night

No loss, you would not need it anyway if you use a Pana with HDMI. You can however still put an ES10 in front but for most tapes it won't be needed.

[Sir_Loin]

Sorry for the dum question but when the signal passes through the DVD recorder, is it being processed at all? That is, do you think there is any noticeable quality loss?

I have just set my ninja 2 to take in the HDMI signal from my digital tuner and it worked well as a capture device.

Thanks again.

[Sir_Loin]

Last question. The VHS player i have just bought is the Panasonic NV-HS 960. It has a TBC built in. Correct me if i am wrong, but I would then not need a DVD recorder with TBC would i? I am in negotiations with a guy selling a Panasonic-dmr-bw780. I believe this does not have a TBC.

Thanks a lot

[Skiller]

Sorry for the dum question but when the signal passes through the DVD recorder, is it being processed at all?

Yes, it is gets fully processed.

That is, do you think there is any noticeable quality loss?

With the Panasonics, no, hardly any loss or change in things like color and black/white level. Unlike what I've seen from standalone TBCs.

I have just set my ninja 2 to take in the HDMI signal from my digital tuner and it worked well as a capture device.

There's probably no HDCP then, but the Panasonics do put HDCP on their HDMI out all the time which prevents capturing if you don't get rid of it.

Correct me if i am wrong, but I would then not need a DVD recorder with TBC would i?

Those built-in TBCs in VCRs are line TBCs. They wonderfully straighten lines, but they do not buffer full frames. That means the output signal is not continuous when there are unrecorded parts playing or when there are more severe drops outs.

Any built-in TBC is not needed if you use a Pana for capturing via HDMI or as a passthrough. It might even make things worse.

I am in negotiations with a guy selling a Panasonic-dmr-bw780. I believe this does not have a TBC.

It most likely uses the same DAC as all of the other HDMI Panasonics do. The more recent ones with digital tuners still do, we have tested it at the German doom9, so I would be surprised if it's any different with this one. But why such a "fancy" one?