Reducing VHS Tape Static Noise

Question

Reducing VHS Tape Static Noise

Hi All,

Just transferred my latest batch of VHS tapes over to my G5. One tape in particular has a lot of video static due to poor quality videotape.

The problem is, the video static is accompanied by a lot of audio static that i'd like to reduce or get rid of.

Any tips on how to reduce/eliminate such audio noise? It's quite distracting.

Paul

Dual 2 gig G5, 6 gigs RAM, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jan 23, 2007 8:47 AM

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Answer 1

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Jan 23, 2007 8:49 AM in response to Paul Williams3

You will be well served by using a Time Based Corrector (TBC) between your video source and the A/DV converter.

The canopus ADVC-300 has one built in and it does the Analog/Digital Video conversion as well. As an additional benefit, it will feed your external NTSC/PAL monitor.

To address the audio noise, Soundtrack Pro has a 'learn noise' function that may be of some use, though, I find it much less effective than Bias' Soundsoap pro plug in (which runs in Soundtrack as an effect).

good luck.
x

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Answer 2

Jan 23, 2007 2:38 PM in response to Studio X

It's funny you mention the Canopus ADVC-300 ... that is the converter i use. I thought the TBC was automatic, is it not?

Come to think of it, this is the first time i've had such audio noise in a transfer using the ADVC-300. Do you think i missed a setting during import?

Paul

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Answer 3

Jan 23, 2007 2:44 PM in response to Studio X

I almost forgot to mention, I also have SoundSoap Pro ... that will be my next stop with the audio. I'll have to look into the 'learn noise' feature in Soundtrack.

Paul

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Answer 4

Jan 23, 2007 2:50 PM in response to Paul Williams3

If you're getting a lot of signal noise in both the audio and video signals, it sounds like it's very likely a tracking problem. Check your playback VCR to see if it has manual tracking adjustments. Or try playing the tape in another VCR.

-DH

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Answer 5

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Jan 23, 2007 3:02 PM in response to Paul Williams3

There are adjustments to be made. You may want to read the manual.

x

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Answer 6

Jan 23, 2007 3:04 PM in response to David Harbsmeier

David,

Yes, absolutely a tracking problem. I'd say this VHS tape is close to being worn to the point of no return. I did try the tape in another machine with no luck ... still horrendous tracking. I'm dealing with the onscreen noise by simply adding a black band along the top and bottom a la pseudo-widescreen, but now if i can just rid the audio track of the annoying static noise.

Paul

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Answer 7

Jan 23, 2007 3:07 PM in response to Paul Williams3

You may want to see if you can borrow or rent a pro-VHS or pro S-VHS VCR (I use the term "pro" loosely). Most of those had decent manual tracking adjustment.

-DH

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Answer 8

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Jan 23, 2007 3:14 PM in response to Paul Williams3

I tried the 'learn noise' function in Soundtrack pro and found it to be less effective than the similar operations in Soundsoap Pro (not to be confused with Soundsoap 2 which is much less effective program/plugin).

good luck.
x

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