VHS Audio capture issues

[ChrisStout]

Hi all,

I've been digitizing the old family VHS tapes, however four of them won't play audio (or will play it VERY faintly under a buzzing sound.) Hoping this forum can help me solve this mystery! Here are the pertinent clues...

-I know the VCRs are ok, because most tapes play with correct audio.

-I know the TAPES are ok, because two of the four that are having sound issues have been professionally ingested with perfect audio.

-The only tapes affected are "semi-professional." I made three full-length James Bond spoofs growing up with my dad. We overdubbed all the dialogue and music onto the master tapes. These three tapes are affected, as is a tape created by a videography company for a youth orchestra tour I was a part of.

-I know at least one of the tapes is mono, but I would expect to see audio only showing up on one channel if that were an issue.

-Changing to Hi-Fi audio levels in my capture software (using Blackmagic Intensity shuttle with Media Express/Desktop Video Setup), and adjusting the input/output gain in said software doesn't solve the problem.

-I have tried the tapes on a Panasonic DMR-ES35V, Mitshubishi HS-HD2000U and Panasonic AG-7350. (Although, I have NOT tried fiddling with hi-fi audio settings on these VCRs as I don't own their remotes.)

I'm totally stumped. Any sleuths out there have thoughts?

GREATLY appreciate any help!!

[dellsam34]

Was the audio dubbed on the mono linear track? Without any details on the technical history of the tapes I'm afraid there is nothing anyone here can do, You would have to have the remotes not just for audio but for other video settings as well, Is the HiFi logo lit when tapes are played? and lastly post a sample, Without a sample you are just wasting time typing.

[ChrisStout]

>>>Was the audio dubbed on the mono linear track?

For at least one of the projects I know that it was.

My current theory is that the players are trying to play the Hi-Fi stereo track, but the sound is on the mono track. I will purchase the remote for my primary player (Mitsubishi HD2000U) and change the player to mono to see if that solves the problem.

>>>Is the HiFi logo lit when tapes are played?
I do not see a HiFi logo lit. I do see an L and R lit up, which I BELIEVE signifies the stereo hifi channel being used. I'll double check that in the manual, though.

Sample is here:
https://vimeo.com/798914870/51c0a457b1

Appreciate your help.

[rgr]

..

[dellsam34]

The sample you posted is a 16:9 HD video, doesn't look like a VHS capture at all.

[ChrisStout]

Sorry about that, I've fixed the link.

You were right, audio was on the mono track. I bought a remote for the HD-2000U allowing me to switch audio tracks and now I'm all good. Thanks for your help!

[Bartoloni]

and Panasonic AG-7350. (Although, I have NOT tried fiddling with hi-fi audio settings on these VCRs as I don't own their remotes.)

the AG7350 doens't have a rmeote controller (and the cabled controller has not these functions) you can swithc to norm/wifi using switches hidden on the bottom port of the front panel.