Are the levels of background noise too high for this VHS capture?

[dellsam34]

If you are capturing you want to capture the audio as is HiFi or not without any fake effects, the same goes for video, you want edit ON so all digital processing are turned off, except TBC/DNR which is a separate function that should remain ON.

[Desve]

If you are capturing you want to capture the audio as is HiFi or not without any fake effects, the same goes for video, you want edit ON so all digital processing are turned off, except TBC/DNR which is a separate function that should remain ON.

Ok I see, thanks

[lordsmurf]

for video, you want edit ON so all digital processing are turned off

That's not necessarily true, and is debatable. The DNR processing often does remove unwanted noise, such as chroma noise. If you have a JVC set to AUTO/NORM, and see odd effects, then turn to EDIT. But odds are, all you get is more noise, not better or more image.

I always start with AUTO/NORM, disable only if it creates issues.

[lollo]

I always start with AUTO/NORM, disable only if it creates issues.

I agree. In my case (which is very specific) I often obtain better results with EDIT=off coupled with D3R=on: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/10875-recommendations-jvc-vcr.html#post70663

Some more comparison here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1jpyNRGNGY

and here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0FDfvNTEss&t=4s


You really should experiment with your own material to find the best settings, there is not a general rule.

[Desve]

Ok, I'll tinker with the Edit option to see which mode gives the best results for this unit.

I always start with AUTO/NORM, disable only if it creates issues.

I agree. In my case (which is very specific) I often obtain better results with EDIT=off coupled with D3R=on: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-capture/10875-recommendations-jvc-vcr.html#post70663

You really should experiment with your own material to find the best settings, there is not a general rule.

It seems like the HR-S8500-EH unit I'm using doesn't have any advanced D-3R function: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/368611-Edge-noise-when-TBC-is-active#post2359269

That OP thread was about the S8500-E edition, while the post was regarding the S8500 in general. But I'll look into the D-3R option as well, just in case

Is there any lengthy VHS video guide out there that I could use as a reference to make it easier to detect flaws and things a-like when comparing videos captured with different settings?

[lollo]

Is there any lengthy VHS video guide out there that I could use as a reference to make it easier to detect flaws and things a-like when comparing videos captured with different settings?

I do not know. What you should look for is that details are not removed together with noise when using edit=off, i.e. looking the "stripes" in the hat here: https://imgsli.com/OTAzNTE, where edit=on seems better; that noise is reduced in a proper way, i.e. the details are well preserved and the overall look is better here: https://imgsli.com/OTAzNTA, where edit=off seems better. As you can see, there is not always a clear winner.

Be careful that JVC temporal NR on chroma causes some ghosting (residual on previous frame in current frame, especially at scene change), some sample here https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/401232-JVC-S-VHS-settings-for-capture-%28again%29 and here https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/395451-Chroma-mess; with edit=on this effect is reduced but not completely removed. Again, your choice...

[dellsam34]

In your screen split I see B.E.S.T and you are referring to EDIT, those are two different things and have different functions. So which one actually you are turning on and off in those shots?

[lollo]

In your screen split I see B.E.S.T and you are referring to EDIT, those are two different things and have different functions. So which one actually you are turning on and off in those shots?

???

B.E.S.T. is always on in the screen split videos and images. Few samples with B.E.S.T. off are in the digitalfaq post.

[Alwyn]

"copie" (French) could mean "Edit".

[Desve]

Edit: Oh nvm, it wasn't directed at me

I still want to make an additional copy by going the vcr - dvd-burner - copy over contents to computer - route as well. But I most likely have to buy another dvd-burner because the captured video output was mini-freezing every 10 seconds or so when played back on the computer (tried with vlc and mpc-hc). This time I'm not going to care if the dvd-burner has a good chipset, I just want a functional copy before the tape gets too worn out. If the next DVD-burner doesn't work, even with different brands of discs, I might give the tape to a company that specializes in digitalizing vhs-tapes that I can see uses a dvd-burner in ther workflow. Then I would at least have the tape saved before it gets any worse. And then I can try to get the best quality by going the usb-device route myself at home and make an additional copy. The only thing is that I don't know about the the VHS-digitalizing companies' policies here in Sweden, if they keep the copies themselves or not (i.e. for a longer duration than the backup time which commonly lasts for about 2 years).

[Desve]

Is there any lengthy VHS video guide out there that I could use as a reference to make it easier to detect flaws and things a-like when comparing videos captured with different settings?

I do not know. What you should look for is that details are not removed together with noise when using edit=off, i.e. looking the "stripes" in the hat here: https://imgsli.com/OTAzNTE, where edit=on seems better; that noise is reduced in a proper way, i.e. the details are well preserved and the overall look is better here: https://imgsli.com/OTAzNTA, where edit=off seems better. As you can see, there is not always a clear winner.

Be careful that JVC temporal NR on chroma causes some ghosting (residual on previous frame in current frame, especially at scene change), some sample here https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/401232-JVC-S-VHS-settings-for-capture-%28again%29 and here https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/395451-Chroma-mess; with edit=on this effect is reduced but not completely removed. Again, your choice...

Ok I see, that's good to know. Maybe I should post some picture comparisons like this in this thread later on as well.

[lollo]

"copie" (French) could mean "Edit".

Yes Alwin, good point! I missed that, it was clear in my mind, but probably confusing for others. Thanks!

[dellsam34]

???

B.E.S.T. is always on in the screen split videos and images. Few samples with B.E.S.T. off are in the digitalfaq post.

I don't see screens labeled Edit ON, Edit OFF, So I don't have any idea what you are turning on or off, Not that it matters to me but other members looking at them it can be confusing.

[lordsmurf]

???

B.E.S.T. is always on in the screen split videos and images. Few samples with B.E.S.T. off are in the digitalfaq post.

I don't see screens labeled Edit ON, Edit OFF, So I don't have any idea what you are turning on or off, Not that it matters to me but other members looking at them it can be confusing.

PICTURE MODE = B.E.S.T
Same options, AUTO/NORM, SOFT, SHARP, EDIT.
Use AUTO/NORM in most cases, EDIT for special needs, SOFT and SHARP are lousy.

[cholla]

I rarely do a VHS to DVD conversion these days.
My S VHS failed & I did not replace it.
I have a good VHS /DVD combo player that I have used.
I don't use the combo to make a copy of a VHS tape but I use an S-video cable to a stand alone DVD recorder.
I do this through a Dimax Grex to remove the Macrovision .
This gives me a playable DVD of quality as good as the VHS tape.

I can rip this DVD with various software if I need or want to do more.
Once ripped I've found the best way is to combine the .VOB files into one large .VOB.
Using an old software VobMerge 252.

Then using ffmpeg:
Simple conversion & you can use either .mp4 or .mkv & other formats if you prefer them.

ffmpeg -i input.vob -c:v copy -c:a copy output.mp4

Or for a more complex conversion:

ffmpeg -i input.vob -c:v libx264 -preset veryslow -crf 18 -profile:v high -level 3.1 -c:a eac3 -ab:a 348k -ac 2 output.mp4

I hope this is some help to you.