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Thread: VCR / VHS to PC Corrupted Line Bottom Part of Screen & white background noise

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    Senior Member retroborg's Avatar
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    VCR / VHS to PC Corrupted Line Bottom Part of Screen & white background noise

    I have a VCR Sharp VC-90ET & Hitachi VT-498EM Tape Recorders connected to my PC using a Leadtek Winfast PVR3000 Deluxe hardware MPEG capture card via an RCA A/V cable. Both seem to work fine with an exception of:

    1. A horizontal corrupted line on the bottom part of the screen as pictured in the these YouTube videos. It is more pronounced on the Sharp and slightly more transparent on the Hitachi.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyaUO2iSQJM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsNkW0S9c-w





    2. Also when I play a VHS tape and convert it into an mpeg file, I can hear a slight background white noise like a constant hiss if I increase the volume of the PC speakers higher than 30%. The noise is slightly higher when using the Hitachi VCR.
    This occurs with every single VHS tape I've tried and are all in great condition, thus the problem in probably not within the tapes themselves. I also tried a another PVR capture card with the same results.

    So is this some technical problem with the VCR recorders and can it be fixed? Maybe cleaning?

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    Leadtek Winfast PVR3000 Deluxe hardware MPEG

    Thanks in advance
    Last edited by retroborg; 11-10-2020 at 02:13 PM.

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    Re: VCR / VHS to PC Corrupted Line Bottom Part of Screen & white background noise

    I'm no expert, but the first thing I'd try is adjusting tracking. It might help.

    Cleaning is an option, but be aware, some "cleaning tapes" designed for domestic use can be quite aggressive. If, as it might be, the problem is head wear, those tapes risk making it worse and damaaging it even further.

    There are companies that still repair VCRs, but of course, sourcing new (or even used) parts for an old tech is getting harder almost daily. But it might be viable, though probably not cheap.

    Another compromise solution might be video editing software that just let's you chop off the bottom bit with the corruption, but it's not ideal.
    A lesson learned from PeterB about dignity in adversity, so Peter, In Memorium, "Onwards and Upwards".

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    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
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    Re: VCR / VHS to PC Corrupted Line Bottom Part of Screen & white background noise

    Quote Originally Posted by retroborg View Post




    2. Also when I play a VHS tape and convert it into an mpeg file, I can hear a slight background white noise like a constant hiss if I increase the volume of the PC speakers higher than 30%. The noise is slightly higher when using the Hitachi VCR.
    This occurs with every single VHS tape I've tried and are all in great condition, thus the problem in probably not within the tapes themselves. I also tried a another PVR capture card with the same results.

    So is this some technical problem with the VCR recorders and can it be fixed? Maybe cleaning?
    omg is that Starcom? I still have a box of that! And a comic I think. Loved it growing up.

    head cleaner - NOT demagnitiser. Of a reputable brand (no cheapo generic tesco value etc).
    It could be the tape itself of course if the player head is not aligning with the tape, or the tape edge is beginning to go.
    I think we still have VCR in the loft. Happy to try if you need a comparison our one is cheap as though as it my wife's uni flat purchase from Argos.

    Re the hiss you can remove it from the digital file using software like wavelabs. It's paid (and not cheap) but very very effective (I'm told, I've just bought a license to sit alongside cubase and am waiting for the dongle to arrive).

    Did your VCR have all the spec like NICAM and Dolby etc. Part of dolby B and C for audio and video cassettes was filtering out tape hiss and it makes a huge difference. If your machine has that option turn it on. I'll see if my parents still have their old VCR. It was very high spec'd back in the day and if it helps resurrect starcom I'm all for seeing if we can have any luck.

    Btw I think the cartoon might be on youtube too IIRC.

    I've just watched a youtube. Episode 3. Childhood memories ruined. They're so awfully bad. Plagarismus maximus and corny. What a shame! Count the number of star wars rip-offs. And "that's another fine mess you've gotten us into!" direct rip off! Just as well it didn't get too popular - that would be lawsuit tastic by now.

    edit2 actually watching another it's like spot the rip-off. It's kind of fun. Alien chair in episode 4, Tattoine and nods to what I assume is Tron. It must surely predate The Cube and Event Horizon. I wonder if this is where they got the idea for Kindgom of The Crystal Skull. That was about as well written...

    edit3 There is an official DVD version BTW so you might need to be careful on the copyright side of things. I imagine they'd let it go if it wasn't impacting sales, but as one is on the market it's not a great idea to be posting them online. Personal use is one thing, but posting on youtube might get you in trouble. https://www.amazon.com/Retro-TV-Toon.../dp/B00QMWEIQ2
    Last edited by ik9000; 12-10-2020 at 12:56 AM.

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