how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape?
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how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape?
 
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howldog
Guest





Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:33 pm    Post subject: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

if this is the wrong forum for this question, i apologise.

we're trying to convert some old VHS tapes of family movies onto DVD.
I know some of you here are well versed in that. I watched one of our
tapes in question last night, and a problem has surfaced. The picture
has frequent appearances of a solid black line, or lines, that run
horizontally up and down the screen. I assume the tape has somehow
become unstable and the VCR cannot track it properly or something like
that.

Is there any trick to learn, or device to buy that can help with this
issue?

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Lonely Planet Boy
Guest





Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:10 am    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

The tape is knackered my friend.

"howldog" <nope@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:mgv4o0hjn5i5tf37gkro25j7tptfdgrgs9@4ax.com...
Quote:


if this is the wrong forum for this question, i apologise.

we're trying to convert some old VHS tapes of family movies onto DVD.
I know some of you here are well versed in that. I watched one of our
tapes in question last night, and a problem has surfaced. The picture
has frequent appearances of a solid black line, or lines, that run
horizontally up and down the screen. I assume the tape has somehow
become unstable and the VCR cannot track it properly or something like
that.

Is there any trick to learn, or device to buy that can help with this
issue?


Back to top
Smarty
Guest





Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:38 am    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

howldog,

Try viewing the tape on another VCR. The tape may have become stretched or
dirty, but the VCR you are using may itself have dirty heads, a slippery
belt or pinch roller (both of which are made of rubber and tend to dry out
and crack), or a capstan which has dirt on it.

If the tape plays well on another VCR, then your first VCR needs to be
cleaned / repaired. If the problem persists, then the tape is indeed most
likely the culprit.

Smarty



"howldog" <nope@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:mgv4o0hjn5i5tf37gkro25j7tptfdgrgs9@4ax.com...
Quote:


if this is the wrong forum for this question, i apologise.

we're trying to convert some old VHS tapes of family movies onto DVD.
I know some of you here are well versed in that. I watched one of our
tapes in question last night, and a problem has surfaced. The picture
has frequent appearances of a solid black line, or lines, that run
horizontally up and down the screen. I assume the tape has somehow
become unstable and the VCR cannot track it properly or something like
that.

Is there any trick to learn, or device to buy that can help with this
issue?


Back to top
howldog
Guest





Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:01 am    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:38:18 -0400, "Smarty" <nobody@nobody.com>
wrote:

Quote:
howldog,

Try viewing the tape on another VCR. The tape may have become stretched or
dirty, but the VCR you are using may itself have dirty heads, a slippery
belt or pinch roller (both of which are made of rubber and tend to dry out
and crack), or a capstan which has dirt on it.

If the tape plays well on another VCR, then your first VCR needs to be
cleaned / repaired. If the problem persists, then the tape is indeed most
likely the culprit.



i've tried it on three different VCRs and its bad on all three. I know
the tape is old and bad, was just wondering if anything commercially
available might help.... some kind of filter between tv and VCR...
just a wild hope i suppose
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Smarty
Guest





Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:39 am    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

There are places on the Internet and elsewhere which use much more
professional VCRs which provide video recovery services for a substantial
fee. This option may be attractive if the content is otherwise irreplaceable
and of value to you.

As regards filters, etc., my impression from your description is that all 3
VCRs are seeing a stretched tape which has a control track which cannot
maintain servo lock. This will cause rolling of the picture vertically,
exposing black bands (the vertical blanking interval) which would normally
be unseen if the picture maintained proper synch. If the tracking
adjustments on your 3 VCRs are unable to handle this abnormal tape, then I
think your only option is to have the tape professionally duped or to toss
it out.

Smarty


"howldog" <lifeisgood@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9qb5o056jhinnoo0i7apbcqcftik2dsoi8@4ax.com...
Quote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:38:18 -0400, "Smarty" <nobody@nobody.com
wrote:

howldog,

Try viewing the tape on another VCR. The tape may have become stretched or
dirty, but the VCR you are using may itself have dirty heads, a slippery
belt or pinch roller (both of which are made of rubber and tend to dry out
and crack), or a capstan which has dirt on it.

If the tape plays well on another VCR, then your first VCR needs to be
cleaned / repaired. If the problem persists, then the tape is indeed most
likely the culprit.



i've tried it on three different VCRs and its bad on all three. I know
the tape is old and bad, was just wondering if anything commercially
available might help.... some kind of filter between tv and VCR...
just a wild hope i suppose


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howldog
Guest





Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:14 pm    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:39:05 -0400, "Smarty" <nobody@nobody.com>
wrote:

Quote:
There are places on the Internet and elsewhere which use much more
professional VCRs which provide video recovery services for a substantial
fee. This option may be attractive if the content is otherwise irreplaceable
and of value to you.

As regards filters, etc., my impression from your description is that all 3
VCRs are seeing a stretched tape which has a control track which cannot
maintain servo lock. This will cause rolling of the picture vertically,
exposing black bands (the vertical blanking interval) which would normally
be unseen if the picture maintained proper synch. If the tracking
adjustments on your 3 VCRs are unable to handle this abnormal tape, then I
think your only option is to have the tape professionally duped or to toss
it out.

S


ok thanks. you are probably right
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Chuck Forsberg
Guest





Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:42 am    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 10:44:01 -0500, Robertazimmerman wrote:

Quote:
On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 10:14:02 -0500, howldog <lifeisgood@hotmail.com
wrote:

It's not an inexpensive alterative, but you may want to try using an
ADVC-300 box to capture your video. It won't fix the black line problem,
but it will improve colour and contrast during the capture.

Roberta



On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:39:05 -0400, "Smarty" <nobody@nobody.com> wrote:

There are places on the Internet and elsewhere which use much more
professional VCRs which provide video recovery services for a
substantial fee. This option may be attractive if the content is
otherwise irreplaceable and of value to you.

As regards filters, etc., my impression from your description is that
all 3 VCRs are seeing a stretched tape which has a control track which
cannot maintain servo lock. This will cause rolling of the picture
vertically, exposing black bands (the vertical blanking interval) which
would normally be unseen if the picture maintained proper synch. If the
tracking adjustments on your 3 VCRs are unable to handle this abnormal
tape, then I think your only option is to have the tape professionally
duped or to toss it out.

S


ok thanks. you are probably right
When I decided to digitize some VHS tapes I tried a variety of

VCRs and cards. Both the ATI AIW cards and she Dvico Fusion
HDTV cards allow adjustment of video levels, hue and saturation.
The DVICO card may be more tolerant of substandard signals including
possibly copy protection.

I also bought a new JVC SVHS VCR because my older VCRs were acting up.
The JVC entry level SVHS VCR is reasonably priced.

--
Chuck Forsberg caf@omen.com www.omen.com 503-614-0430
Developer of Industrial ZMODEM(Tm) for Embedded Applications
Omen Technology Inc "The High Reliability Software"
10255 NW Old Cornelius Pass Portland OR 97231 FAX 629-0665
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Robertazimmerman
Guest





Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 6:24 pm    Post subject: Re: how can i fix an unstable old VHS tape? Reply with quote

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 10:14:02 -0500, howldog <lifeisgood@hotmail.com>
wrote:

It's not an inexpensive alterative, but you may want to try using an
ADVC-300 box to capture your video. It won't fix the black line
problem, but it will improve colour and contrast during the capture.

Roberta



Quote:
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 17:39:05 -0400, "Smarty" <nobody@nobody.com
wrote:

There are places on the Internet and elsewhere which use much more
professional VCRs which provide video recovery services for a substantial
fee. This option may be attractive if the content is otherwise irreplaceable
and of value to you.

As regards filters, etc., my impression from your description is that all 3
VCRs are seeing a stretched tape which has a control track which cannot
maintain servo lock. This will cause rolling of the picture vertically,
exposing black bands (the vertical blanking interval) which would normally
be unseen if the picture maintained proper synch. If the tracking
adjustments on your 3 VCRs are unable to handle this abnormal tape, then I
think your only option is to have the tape professionally duped or to toss
it out.

S


ok thanks. you are probably right
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