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  1. Hi, I recently started digitalizing my VHS cartoon collection.
    SP Recordings sound fine, but LP ones have some wierd disturbance (sounds like underwater gurgling to me)

    Here are some clips of how LP recordings sound
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1TJwjyGYshnsImES4qnt79GEXhsTxoXL3
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZpoJbY7dP4U2NGthqK1DDkRoChirjR0c
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1bqWQ5d8sI2TTuKs-3YRuOyabmRLqznlK
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1uTXtss9PWmT_8C8wfWrNSaGrfxbSZjuw

    I'm using this video https://www.kupujemprodajem.org/audio-tv-foto/dvd-bluray-video-rekorderi/vhs-lg-crysta...spravan_i21219
    connected through this one https://www.newegg.com/samsung-dvd-v6700-dvd-player-vcr-combo/p/N82E16882676049?Item=N82E16882676049
    recorded on this one http://uk.flippity.com/buy/Sony-Multiregion-Region-Free-RDR-GX350-External-Sky-Box-CCT...I-191979702069

    I can't buy new devices (for now), and I don't think they're playing the tape inproperly, LP always sounded a bit off, but empty tapes were
    really expensive when I was a kid, so the discovery of LP back then meant for me more space, and you don't notice a lot of quality loss on old CRTs.

    -What I would like to know is if there's some way of fixing this to any extent in those audio editing programs like audacity, or some other ones I've seen mentioned on these forums?

    -If you need any additional info that could help, please ask.

    Also, a small disclaimer, so the post doesn't get deleted or something, this is my personal collection and it will not be used for piracy of any kind.
    As far as I'm aware, analog personal tv recordings are legal. Also, these dubs were never released on DVDs in my country nor aired again,
    so there is no local legal alternative for me to purchase.
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  2. Dinosaur Supervisor KarMa's Avatar
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    What does it sound like when playing it on a CRT or LCD screen? Also maybe instead of capturing via VLC, maybe try AmaRecTV.
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  3. I think it sounded about the same on CRT, I don't remember really.
    I would just get into the plot and wouldn't pay attention to it, but on the pc it's a bit iritating.

    I record on rewritable dvds in highest available quality, and then rip it using Handbrake, at 576p hq surround.
    I only made those clips with vlc because I wasn't sure if I was allowed to put whole episodes. Didn't wanna get banned or something.

    I just wanted to know if there's a way to repair it to some extent with audacity. or maybe a paid app like soundforge.
    I see there's a lot of people on this forum who really know their stuff, and probably encountered a similar problem before.

    Any advice would be more than helpfull in order to preserve these rare gems in highest quality possible.

    Here are some SP clips, as you can see, they don't have this audio disturbance
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=19SFkYdoyFblbjNvB_xho-q3PCZszcRi3
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DAm-ovbUE5mWRaSgsgzXQbBlqBFnpQKJ
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    It seems a tape transport problem to me. Have you tried the cassette on another VCR? The issue could come from the recorder at recording time. You could try to switch to the stereo hifi track if the video have one.
    Last edited by johnjonh; 30th Mar 2020 at 14:48.
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  5. This is the only VCR that I have that can play/ record in LongPlay.

    "tape transport problem"
    - Do you mean to say that it's a mechanical VCR problem? I don't really understand those terms, but I also think that this is the way it was recorded in the first place.

    I'm not asking for a miracle here, just wanted to know if anything can be fixed at least a little bit in editing to make it sound more normal.

    "try to switch to the stereo hifi track if the video have one" - The only audio option it has are rf audio b/ g or d/ k, and fosd on/ off.
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    Yes, I mean mechanical problems. I don't know any audio processing software that can fix audio like that.
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  7. aBigMeanie aedipuss's Avatar
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    looking at the waveform, it's seriously screwed, but it looks like it was recorded as is. there are no obvious problems with how it was recorded, it looks like it is whatever was fed into it. to me it looks like whoever edited the audio last went overboard with effects - wah-wah, flanger, phasing... the wavy signals in the screenshot should be flat lines.

    Image
    [Attachment 52540 - Click to enlarge]
    --
    "a lot of people are better dead" - prisoner KSC2-303
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  8. Okay, if it can't be fixed, it can't be fixed.

    Though, I still think it's something to due with the VCR and how it recorded these in the first place. It's not only these New Lucky Luke tapes, @aedipuss.
    Out or around 200+ tapes, unfortunately most recorded in LP, all have this wavy audio disturbance, in varying degrees though.

    I am aware that LP requires a sacrifice in quality for the gift of extra duration, but I didn't expect it to be this harmful.
    I don't mind the shaky picture, but it's a shame it hurt the audio this much, which in rare, unreleased and even unkown cartoon dubs is real shame.
    Some of my friends who share this hobby with me don't have this problem with their LP tapes.

    Eh, what to do. Still, thank you everyone for taking your time to reply to my post.
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  9. aBigMeanie aedipuss's Avatar
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    it could have been the recording vcr had a speed control issue in lp. fast/slow, fast/slow tape could cause pitch issues with the recording.
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  10. Dinosaur Supervisor KarMa's Avatar
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    LP was never officially supported by JVC for recording, nor was LP recording condoned by JVC. But they do support LP playback. Before EP came out, LP was the only way to get more duration and so this hack solution was supported by other VCR companies. I personally have LP tapes from the 80s that play just fine on my 2000s JVC machines. But then I have other LP tapes from the 90s that simply don't play no matter what, and the only way for me to view them is in fast forward only (even after many attempts with a dehydrator). It seems like the LP implementation between brands is the worst, when compared to SP or EP.
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  11. The problem is the VHS deck is speeding up and slowing down causing the linear audio to raise and lower in pitch. Try fast forwarding all the way to the end of the tape, then fast rewind back to the start. That may smooth out the windings of the tape on the reels making them move more easily.
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  12. Video Restorer lordsmurf's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by jagabo View Post
    T Try fast forwarding all the way to the end of the tape
    Be very aware that this can exacerbate flaking, and the tape will be screwed. Never FF/REW more than a small section, few minutes worth at most, then handwind it to check flaking.

    Originally Posted by blitzgrey View Post
    I can't buy new devices (for now),
    Then set it aside for now. You risk ruining the original. Wait. Video conversion can be an exercise in patience.
    Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
    FAQs: Best Blank DiscsBest TBCsBest VCRs for captureRestore VHS
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  13. Capturing Memories dellsam34's Avatar
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    Lets assume there is a magic software that can take that audio and iron it out, So you capture the tape to DVD, rip the DVD to computer, extract the video from the ripped file, then split the audio with another software, apply the software magic fix, mux the audio back to the video, and hope you don't get sync problems which you will, author the new video to DVD format and burn back to DVD, And you do this for 200 tapes? I highly doubt you'll pass the 5th tape before you give it all up.

    If you seriously want to get this done you will have to get a Hi-Fi VCR, chances are even if the recording VCR was at fault you might be able to recover the Hi-Fi track if one exists, if not hope that the playback VCR is at fault and you will be able to recover the linear track, If only linear track exists and the recording VCR was the problem you can always sell the Hi-Fi VCR and put those tapes in the trash can and look for copies of those cartoons on DVD.
    Last edited by dellsam34; 2nd Apr 2020 at 04:56.
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  14. Originally Posted by dellsam34 View Post
    Lets assume there is a magic software that can take that audio and iron it out...
    I didn't expect there to be a ☆mAgiC☆ solution. I just though if audio editing software can remove noise and do all kinds of adjustments, maybe it could also minimize the disturbance in some way. Guess not.

    Originally Posted by dellsam34 View Post
    If you seriously want to get this done you will have to get a Hi-Fi VCR..
    I have a HIFI VCR. That samsung one I mentioned in the original post. There's a link to the model there too, but it only plays SP.
    I have the recording LG VCR hooked through it to my SONY dvd recorder.

    Originally Posted by dellsam34 View Post
    ..look for copies of those cartoons on DVD.
    Haha, Dvd releases in the Balkans. Ah, those are almost extict here, and even back then they barely released anything.
    There are no releases for what I have (to name a few, bosnian tmnt, croatian code lyoko, serbian 2001 lucky luke)
    Aired once, and never released in any form, nor will they be :'(

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    UPDATE. It seems to be a playback problem. After recent power outrage, I had luck with one tape I ripped once already.
    The picture is stable and audio sounds more normal.

    So maybe it's flaking as you guys say, or maybe some misaligment.

    Here's a good comparion:

    Old attempt > https://vimeo.com/404302568

    New attempt>https://vimeo.com/404302646
    Much more clear audio, especially noticable around 0:30 mark

    Rip of the copy I made in SP on another tape with HIFI VCR>https://vimeo.com/404302723

    Originally Posted by lordsmurf View Post
    Video conversion can be an exercise in patience.
    You got that right. I guess I'll have to do this episode by episode, in multiple attempts.
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