VCR Analog Camcorder Problem

[Laurence Wilmer]

I'm having a problem capturing VHS movies from my VCR. If the vcr is
connected to the tv, the tape plays fine, but when I use the same vcr
to try to capture the video, and then convert it to a dvd, the video
keeps breaking up, and just plain bad. The kicker is, if I connect a
Sony analog camcorder and capture the video, the capture is clean,
using the same setup as with the vcr. I'm using an ati 9600 all in
wonder video card with ati's cable and the cable from the vcr. Why
does the camcorder video play fine, and not the vcr? I hope I'm
explaining this so you can understand. TIA


OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 Build 2600
System Manufacturer NVIDIA
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1837
Mhz

Sounds to me like a Macrovision (copy protection) problem.
http://www.digital-digest.com/dvd/articles/macrovision_software.html

Never found a solution to that myself!

Laurence

 

[Bob Kovach]

I'm having a problem capturing VHS movies from my VCR. If the vcr is
connected to the tv, the tape plays fine, but when I use the same vcr
to try to capture the video, and then convert it to a dvd, the video
keeps breaking up, and just plain bad. The kicker is, if I connect a
Sony analog camcorder and capture the video, the capture is clean,
using the same setup as with the vcr. I'm using an ati 9600 all in
wonder video card with ati's cable and the cable from the vcr. Why
does the camcorder video play fine, and not the vcr? I hope I'm
explaining this so you can understand. TIA


OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 Build 2600
System Manufacturer NVIDIA
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1837
Mhz

 

[GMAN]

I guess I forgot to mention that these are home videos, taken about 10
years ago with a VHS Camcorder. There is no copy protection.

One problem can be that the older VHS camcorders and vcr's use a larger head
gap on their video heads. Now all you find are 19 micron heads that are more
optimized for EP recording, and as such do not truely make standard SP
recordings. So playing back an older tape on a newer deck with a smaller head
gap isnt always optimum.

 

[Bob Kovach]

I guess I forgot to mention that these are home videos, taken about 10
years ago with a VHS Camcorder. There is no copy protection.

 

[Bob Kovach]

One problem can be that the older VHS camcorders and vcr's use a larger head
gap on their video heads. Now all you find are 19 micron heads that are more
optimized for EP recording, and as such do not truely make standard SP
recordings. So playing back an older tape on a newer deck with a smaller head
gap isnt always optimum.

Thanks for all the replies, and thanks for letting me know about the
19 micron heads, GMAN, but would this have anything to do with
providing a good play back while the vcr is connected to the tv, but
NOT when the SAME vcr is connected to my ati capture card? Could I
have some kind of interference problem when connected to the ati cable
going to the computer? Again, thanks for all the help!

 

[kilmister]

could you have a ground loop problem? is everything plugged into the same
electrical outlet?

 

[Bob Kovach]

Vcr plugged into one outlet on joining wall, while computer is on a
surge protector on the other wall. All outlets are probably on the
same circuit.

 

[kilmister]

try the vcr in the surge protector also.

Vcr plugged into one outlet on joining wall, while computer is on a
surge protector on the other wall. All outlets are probably on the
same circuit.

 

[patrickp]

try the vcr in the surge protector also.

Don't forget that your videocard and monitor are giving you a much
higher quality picture at much higher resolution than your TV; also
that your TV screen is optimised for that TV picture and nothing else.
Any faults in the picture that are smoothed out by the TV may,
instead, be emphasised by your card and monitor.

Try the opposite and use your TV as a monitor. You won't get far
doing word processing or graphics like that!

patrickp

(e-mail address removed) - take five to email me

 

[Laurence Wilmer]

I guess I forgot to mention that these are home videos, taken about 10
years ago with a VHS Camcorder. There is no copy protection.

<snip>

ATI has something of a history of oversensitive Macrovision detection, that
kicks in even on non-commercial tapes, just because it detects some
imperfections that it misreads as Macrovision copy protection.

I've certainly had that happen. (And wasted money on a supposed signal
cleaner from Maplin that didn't help at all).

Laurence

 

[Bob Kovach]

I used an extension cord and plugged the vcr into an outlet in another
room, and tried it, and also plugged the vcr into the surge protector,
and still getting the interference. I took the tape out, and went to
the vcr attached to our tv, and played the tape with no problems.
Both vcrs are JVC's, and I've traded places with them, and the one
connected to the tv was always fine, while the one connected to the
ATI All In Wonder RADEON was messed up. I'm beginning to lose faith
in the ATI AIW. Also, I still can't figure out why the Anolog Sony
video camera, hooked up with the same cables, outputs a clear video
which I can capture with no problem. Thanks for all the help, and I
really do appreciate it. I just wish something would work.

 

[Bob Kovach]

Did you find away around it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Laurence Wilmer]

I found that DVD shrink does an excellent job of copying DVDs, but I have
not found ANY macrovision defeat that works for ATI AIW - although there are
a lot of them that claim to work.
Sorry!
Laurence

 

[kilmister]

is the sony video camera plugged into the wall also or running on batteries?

 

[Bob Kovach]

Either way, it doesn't matter. The video is good whether I'm running
it off the plug in charger/adapter, or running off the battery. I
keep thinking there's some kind of interference with the vcr, but I
don't know how to get around it.