Audio Drift when importing VHS Tapes-Do I need a Canopus ADVC 300

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Level 1

9 points

Audio Drift when importing VHS Tapes-Do I need a Canopus ADVC 300

Embarking on the daunting task of importing/editting >100 2hr VHS tapes, and want to get the best results for my efforts.

I pop a tape into a VCR connected via S-Video (video) and RCA (audio) cables to a Sony DVMC-DA1 AD converter, and from there to my Mac Pro via Firewire. Use FCE "Capture Now" using NTSC DV Converter setup. Start capture, let it run unattended, and return at my leisure to do some rough editting.

Problem is the audio on the imported clip gradually loses sync, by about 2 seconds by the end of the clip. The sync problem is present on the clip when played with Quicktime as well.

Questions:

1. Is there a reasonable way to correct this in FCE?
2. Since my Sony converter is nearing 10 years old, will use of a more recent AD converter such as the Canopus ADVC 300 result in a perfectly synced import?
3. If so, can you comment on the Canopus's purported video noise reduction and image stabilization capabilities? Is it noticable/worthwhile?

Thanks for your time.

Mac Pro Early 2008 3.0GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.8), 8 GB RAM, 1Tb HD x 4, GeForce 8800Gt, 23" ACHD, Drobo S (2nd Gen)

Posted on Dec 10, 2010 4:53 PM

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Answer 1

W H Gallmann Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 10, 2010 5:05 PM in response to W H Gallmann

Forgot to mention that the Sony ADVC is set to export audio at 16 bit.

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

24,456 points

Dec 10, 2010 5:51 PM in response to W H Gallmann

Hello,

The problem is the audio is not 'locked' to the video, and your old Sony DVMC-DA1 does not appear to support locked audio.

The only way you might deal with this in FCE itself would be to capture shorter clips (say, under 15 minutes each) which would minimize the degree to which the audio drifts out of sync in each clip. (The longer the clip, the greater the drift.)

Given the large amount of video you wish to digitize (some 200 hours), it will be far preferable to use a Canopus ADVC-100, 110 or higher model - +they all support DV locked audio+ - so the video & audio are sync'd without the need for manual intervention or capturing short clips.

I have used the Canopus 100 & 110 extensively and have been very happy with the results. Sometimes, depending on the VHS tape, there is some slight banding at the very bottom of the image but 1) this is +usually not visible+ in the finished movie because it is outside the 'image safe area' and 2) if necessary can be compensated via about a 2%-4% enlargement of the image in FCE (which is not enough to soften the image).

I have not used the Canopus 300 because I never felt the need, as I am happy with my results from the 100 & 110. Users of the 300 have been pretty positive about its built-in TBC and image cleaning capabilities.

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Answer 3

Dec 10, 2010 6:22 PM in response to W H Gallmann

I'd double-check the captured clips to make sure the audio is really 48khz, 16 bit. I've known some Sony devices to produce odd sampling rates like 47999.1hz or 48000.1hz. Even with that small of a difference, sync drift can occur.

-DH

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