Maximizing VHS quality importing to FCP

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Level 1

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Maximizing VHS quality importing to FCP

Hi.

I have some old footage shot in SP mode on a full-size VHS camcorder, and I'd like to edit it in FCP. I've done a lot of searching online, but not sure that I have all of the facts straight on VCRs.

First, regarding play heads. What I've read suggests that VCRs featuring 4 heads / 6 heads / 19 micron heads are all designed to perform better with tapes recorded at slower speeds, or to improve the picture during fast-forward and pause. With my tapes being recorded in SP, will I get better results if I go out and buy a 4-head VCR, or is my plain old 2 head VCR going to work just as well?

Second, regarding outputs. I have the ability to import uncompressed SD video thru my BlackMagic Intensity Pro card and breakout cable. I know that component (Y/Pb/Pr) outputs offer the best quality, followed by S-Video (Y/C), followed by composite (single RCA). I can see how that comes into play when connecting a VCR to a newer display, but in my case, does the type of output becoming meaningless, since the camera these tapes were shot with pre-dates component and S-Video? In other words, even if I get the correct machine / cables / adapters to dub using component outputs, it won't turn out any better than using composite, because the original recording was not encoded in a way to allow the video channel to be separated. Is that a correct assessment?

Thanks for your input!

Fred

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 2.66/6GB/1.5TB INT "RAID 0"/750GB EXT HD/FCS2

Posted on Feb 10, 2008 10:21 AM

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Answer 1

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Feb 10, 2008 10:28 AM in response to FredGarvin

Your tape deck isn't going affect whatever you've shot very much if anything in my opinion. Remember that what you have the tape is never going to improve in capturing the footage.

Just clean the heads on whatever use or buy, and bring in the footage with the best input arrangement you can.

I don't know of any reasonably price VHS recorder with either HDMI or component because VHS recorders are analog.

If you can get the stuff in via component to a DVC50 or any codec that facilitates a 4:2:2 or better color space, go for it.

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Answer 2

Feb 10, 2008 10:33 AM in response to FredGarvin

You can try a new VCR, they're $50.
The only thing that will improve your VHS is an external image enhancer. This will go between your VCR and the input to the Macintosh. This is faster (and therefore cheaper) than wasting days inside FCP applying filters trying to achieve subjective improvements. the decision to to component, S, or composite requires objective evaluation. Peronslly, I doubt you will see any difference that will carry through the conversion to FCP (DV?), editing, processing, and writing back out to tape or to DVD. Consider the expense of a component input car, which, as you say, is probably meaningless.

How valuable are these tapes? Suggest you invest in a VHS-to-DVD recorder and burn disks before ingesting into FCP. This gives you an opportunity to create backups but also forces you to watch the tapes and begin assessing the relative merits of the material. You really can edit out the endless shots of feet and the insides of the camera bag.

bogiesan

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Answer 3

Feb 10, 2008 10:40 AM in response to FredGarvin

You might be able to gain some small bit of improvement with Joe's Y/C Corrector filter:

http://www.joesfilters.com/joesyccorrector

There is a free watermarked trial, so you can try it out 1st.

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Answer 4

Feb 10, 2008 11:38 AM in response to FredGarvin

Regarding VHS playback heads. No matter what deck or number of total heads, only two are used during normal playback; one for the odd fields and one for the even fields. Any other video heads a deck might have are only used during special playback modes such as pause or fast play (forward and reverse). Other (non-video) heads are used for audio (linear and HiFi) and control track.

So-called "pro" VHS decks had 21 micron heads (as I recall), while consumer decks had 19 micron heads. Either will work.

About the best thing you can do for old analog footage is to route the signal through a TBC to correct playback timing errors. Preferably a full frame TBC - but those are rare and expensive. Most TBCs will only correct the first few lines.

As for output; with VHS only having the capacity of recording about 240 lines of resolution, I doubt you'd see too much improvement using Y/C or component cabling over composite. Just keep your cables lengths short enough so you don't introduce any further Y/C delay.

-DH

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Answer 5

FredGarvin Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 11, 2008 1:13 PM in response to David Harbsmeier

Thanks, everyone.

This is not important enough video to warrant a TBC purchase. I will get a combo deck and backup these tapes to DVD.

Fred

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Answer 6

Feb 12, 2008 3:05 PM in response to FredGarvin

Fred,
I am involved in a similar exercise.
Many years ago friend of mine lent me a VHS camera which I used to record about 35 minutes of video of a cat and her two month old kittens.

I have the VHS tape and used a VHS recorder and player to out put to the digital tape on an inexpensive cam corder.

I now have this video on an eternal hard drive.

Viewing the footage in FCP the color of the cats,tortishell,grey and black appear very realistic,as do their toys.

However the white walls and floor of the utility are rather yellow.
Using COLOR is dealing with this problem without changing the color of the cats and the boxes and other similar obstacles they enjoy in their play.

I do not understand the technical aspects of your post,I can not comment on them,
my qualifications are of a different discipline.

If this simplistic answer does not help, I apolgise but I hope this adds knowledge to you and the forum.

It have so much help.

Michael Craven.

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Answer 7

Jim Cookman

Level 7

23,447 points

Feb 12, 2008 4:05 PM in response to michael craven1

"If this simplistic answer does not help, I apolgise but I hope this adds knowledge to you and the forum. It have so much help."

Michael, you sure you're English? 🙂

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Answer 8

FredGarvin Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 12, 2008 4:20 PM in response to michael craven1

Thanks! I've haven't looked at this tape in years, but once I get it into the computer, I'll run it thru Color if it needs improvement.

Fred

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Answer 9

RedTruck

Level 4

2,145 points

Feb 12, 2008 6:17 PM in response to FredGarvin

to the original OP, check out your local Access Cable station. Most likely, they still get footage in VHS format, since they deal with and have to accommodate non-professionals. They may have a high quality TBC in house and you could convert your tape for free...

You might have to provide them with some programming sometime though... gets it on the air anyway...

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Answer 10

Feb 12, 2008 6:41 PM in response to Jim Cookman

Jim,
Oh!
Too much coffee or something!

Sincerely, I do hope I have added something to the forum.
The forum has helped me so much.
Kind regards,

Michael Craven.

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Answer 11

Feb 12, 2008 7:10 PM in response to michael craven1

Of course you've added something. The only person who can type that much and not add anything is me.

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Answer 12

Jim Cookman

Level 7

23,447 points

Feb 12, 2008 8:37 PM in response to thrillcat editorial

And me. Michael, I was just pulling your chain a bit. I'm a guy who keeps the 2 volume microscopically printed OED by the bed for light reading.

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Answer 13

Feb 13, 2008 4:55 PM in response to thrillcat editorial

thrillcat editorial,

Thank you.

Michael Craven.

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Answer 14

Feb 13, 2008 5:02 PM in response to Jim Cookman

Jim Cookman,

Thank you.
No offence taken.

I will read more carefully what I print in future.

I find it difficult finding the right balance between banging on and not giving enough information.

Regards,

Michael Craven

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Answer 15

FredGarvin Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 18, 2008 7:59 PM in response to David Harbsmeier

David Harbsmeier wrote:
Just keep your cables lengths short enough so you don't introduce any further Y/C delay.

I forgot to ask...I have a nice gold-plated 6ft composite cable (V/A1/A2). Is that short enough? Would I see superior results with something shorter? Thanks!

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