digitizing from vhs / svhs. HD-PVR?

[tvmaster2]

I'm digitizing some stuff from VHS, and wondered if feeding it thru the HD-PVR is as good as any other method. It looks a little soft compared to the CRT I'm previewing on simultaneously. Is that as good as things get? The sharpness control in Arcsoft just introduces more noise I think

[EnterNoEscape]

The HD-PVR is notorious for softening video in recordings. I don't think there is much that can be done.

[HelenWeathers]

I used to have an s-vhs vcr with Y, Pb, Pr outputs (bought 15 years or so ago) and that gave me best results, followed by s-hvs. From there it's downhill rapidly.

[tvmaster2]

ok, thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I have two SVHS machines, and the Mitsubishi gives a little more detail than the JVC does via the HD-PVR. If anyone knows of an internal card or external box that gives better results and isn't $1000, then let me know.

[thomaszoo]

I have a Sony digital 8 camcorder that can input composite or s-video and convert that to digital. It did a better job for me than my hd-pvr. YMMV.

[KeithAbbott]

The Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 and WinTV-HVR-2255 can take both composite and S-Video inputs. I have no idea how the video quality from either of those options would compare to the quality from the HD-PVR. But it might be an option.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by thomaszoo

I have a Sony digital 8 camcorder that can input composite or s-video and convert that to digital. It did a better job for me than my hd-pvr. YMMV.

How does it convert to digital - via what kind of output on it's way to the computer?

[thomaszoo]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

How does it convert to digital - via what kind of output on it's way to the computer?

I had meant to include that, thanks for asking. It is output via firewire and captured as an .avi file.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by thomaszoo

I had meant to include that, thanks for asking. It is output via firewire and captured as an .avi file.

do you have a capture app of choice? I could use Sony Vegas. Any others?

[thomaszoo]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

do you have a capture app of choice? I could use Sony Vegas. Any others?

I have Sony Vegas that I use for editing. But for captures I like to use a freeware program called WinDV. Capturing is pretty much all that it does, so the interface is very simple.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by thomaszoo

I have Sony Vegas that I use for editing. But for captures I like to use a freeware program called WinDV. Capturing is pretty much all that it does, so the interface is very simple.

ok, thanks. I'll check it out

[thomaszoo]

A couple things I liked about it was it showed the number of dropped frames (should only happen at the beginning of a sequence) and for digital tapes it did automatic AVI splitting according to the timestamps on DV recordings - every video sequence can be saved into a unique file. Best of luck with your transfers.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by thomaszoo

A couple things I liked about it was it showed the number of dropped frames (should only happen at the beginning of a sequence) and for digital tapes it did automatic AVI splitting according to the timestamps on DV recordings - every video sequence can be saved into a unique file. Best of luck with your transfers.

thanks - it's amazing how many interesting (to me at least) tv broadcasts, concerts, news items that I have that have never been released any other way, going back to the mid 80's!!!