Capturing unknown format video 8

[Bigby]

I have recently found an old (15+ years) video 8 tape that I am trying to capture. The video camcorder I am using is a Sony TR728E. When I connect the camcorder to the TV, I choose NTSC 4.43 to get the picture to show corectly.
Does this mean the video format is NTSC 4.43?

Initially I tried to capture by using another Sony DCR-HC96 mini DV camcorder as a pass-through device, but I got no picture at all.

Now I am connecting the Sony TR728E to my ATI X1900 graphics card, and I can get a picture (by selecting NTSC M in Virtual VCR), but it is in black & white. I have tried the other video formats (Pal, secam .etc) but I either get no picture or a garbled picture.

Can anyone offer any advice, please?

[aedipuss]

NTSC 4.43 mode is 525 lines/29.97 frames per second with PAL compatible heterodyned color subcarrier at 4.43mhz.

it was for pal/multi format tvs mostly found in europe. the color is on the wrong frequency for normal ntsc equipment so you need some pal setting that can handle 29.97fps.

[Bigby]

On the video 8 camcorder menu setting I have:

NTSC Playback - "On Pal TV" or "NTSC 4.43"


Do thes settings help me?

[edDV]

PAL ATI cards usually don't cap NTSC tapes. I'm not sure about 4.43 subcarrier conversions.

If this is an important family tape, take it to a quality dub house or buy/borrow an NTSC deck and NTSC capture card.

[aedipuss]

i'd give on pal tv a try.

you most likely wouldn't get any color from ntsc decks/cards. they need the color at 3.58mhz not the pal value of 4.43mhz.

and it's not the same as pal-m or pal-n they use ntsc color of 3.58 so those settings won't work either.

[aedipuss]

there was at least one old capture chipset that could do ntsc433. the conexant 2388x based cards. i don't know if they are still available.

[danno78]

From camcorder menu set output for NTSC tape: NTSC Playback - "On Pal TV" and for ATI card Pal60. This way you can capture the tape. The file will be in NTSC format.
More info:
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic370146.html?highlight=pal60
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic371607.html?highlight=pal60

[Bigby]

The settings danno suggested works. NTSC playback - on Pal TV and ATI card - Pal60.

Now I have two further problems:

1. When I capture the video is 640 x 220 (so half height)
2. The video has a lot of flickering (I don't know how else to describe it)

[Bigby]

I've started using "DScaler" program and had originally used half height in the recording options. Choosing full height has fixed the first problem.

One more thing, should I use composite or s-video when capturing?

[hech54]

One more thing, should I use composite or s-video when capturing?

S-Video should be better quality but it is "Video Only" so you'll need an audio line out of the camcorder as well.

[Bigby]

I am using line in of the PC for the audio.

About the flickering, I have noticed that when there is red in the scene(like someone wearing a red jumper) its looks like there is a glow surrounding the colour.

Could this flickering be fixed after I have captured the tape? (Using some other software)

[danno78]

1. When I capture the video is 640 x 220 (so half height)
2. The video has a lot of flickering (I don't know how else to describe it)

Resolution must be 720x480 and frame rate 29.97 fps. For other problems post short part or screenshot.

[Bigby]

Here is a video example, danno78:

http://rapidshare.com/files/284621956/Sequence_02.mpg

The picture looks normal when I connect the camcorder to the TV. When I capture, the picture flickers and there seems to be a lot of red!

[danno78]

I suggest you try these:
- activates from the camcorder menu TBC and DNR
- take S-Video connection

If this does not solve the problem then try another video card. You need a card that can handle PAL60 system. It is easy to find and are cheap. All TV Tuner equipped with Philips SAA713x (x can be 0 to 5) chipset supports PAL60 and also work with DScaler at hardware level (without driver installated). Just few card with Philips ADC:
Kworld V-Stream Studio TV Terminator, Kworld PVR-TV 7134SE, Asus MyCinema-P7131, Leadtek WinFast TV2100, Gigabyte GT-P5100.

I don`t believe that these shortcomings can be fixed after.
At DScaler tick these:

[Bigby]

danno78, can you list a few more cards that i can look for?

I have found a "LEADTEK WINFAST TV 2000XP EXPERT VIDEO RECORDER CARD" , is this any good?

[danno78]

I have found a "LEADTEK WINFAST TV 2000XP EXPERT VIDEO RECORDER CARD" , is this any good?

No this has conexant brain.

Avermedia AVerTV Studio 709
Avermedia AVerTV Hybrid+FM PCI
Avermedia AVerTV Studio Model 507
Avermedia AverTV-Super007
Avermedia AverTV-Studio503
KWorld PlusTV Hybrid PCI (DVB-T 210SE)
Gigabyte GT-P6000
Asus MyCinema-P7131H

Anything with black beetles named Saa713x (x can be 0 to 5) is good. See image

[Bigby]

I have found this on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AVerMedia-M779-E-Hybrid-TV-DVB-T-FM-Radio-Card_W0QQitemZ20038855...d=p3286.c0.m14

Is this the "Avermedia AVerTV Hybrid+FM PCI " you mention?

Also found this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASUS-TV7134-FM-LP-PCI-TV-FM-Tuner-Card_W0QQitemZ220482980840QQcm...d=p3286.c0.m14

[danno78]

The first one I don`t know if will work because is not on list. Ask the seller or request a greater image to see which chip is on PCB.
The second one (Asus) is ok. Why you don`t buy from store? In my area is 20 euro new with warranty.

Later edit:
About the first (Avermedia)
According to driver (the link posted by seller) it has Pal60 and Ntsc4.33 option. I am not 100% that will work because the driver can by suited for more tuners versions. Also, I don`t know if will work with DScaler in direct hardware access mode.