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transfering analogue
I am going to transfer some old VHS tapes to digital format for a documentary.
The tapes are going bad and I was going to transfer them to mini-DV.Someone said that using an analogue to digital converter would give me better quality.
Is this true? Would I be able to get DVCAM quality for example instead of mini-DV.
Would it even matter with old vhs or old Hi 8s?Thanks,
Beth Warshafsky
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8 Replies
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DVCAM and MiniDV are the exact same quality. DVCAM just runs through the tape mechanism faster making it less prone to dropouts.
Going to DV is a great way to archive VHS. Just go from a VHS deck to a DV camera and you are fine.
Shane
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Thanks Shane.
I was wondering why the guys at B&H said that transfering using
an analogue to digital converter was better than going to mini-DV.They said that it would be more compressed. But I am skeptical.
Is there any difference in quality at all?Beth
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Going to DV means converting the analog signal to digital. If you do that with your typical DV recorder or using an external converter, the results are likely to be the same.
I think what you are perhaps confusing is advice to put the analog signal into a timebase corrector and stabilise the video sync. Also there can be enhancements of the signal in the analog domain prior to conversion to digital.
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Now we are getting closer to my reason to query…
The footage I shot in the 80’s is of the Bob Blackburn Printmaking
Workshop’s outreach program to undeserved schools. I never thought
I would get to it but….turns out it is a good document and I want the best quality out of the 11 hours of VHS, some of which have colors are migrating pink and green.
Anyhow my call to B&H started with me asking about a time base corrector and if there wasn’t some way to get more out of the signal
before digitizing. I didn’t get the answer I expected. That is why
I am turning to this list. Basically he said correct in post and that
signal correction before digitizing was an older technology. He did
say that an analogue to digital converter straight to a hardrive was
better than digitizing to mini DV.In reality, I don’t think this is a film which will be broadcast.
On the other hand, there is some good footage of some interesting artists and programs. Within limits, I want the best I can get.
If a TBC interface etc etc. would help stabilize the color, great.What sayeth thou?
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Hi Beth,
if you are looking for a cheap solution for archiving, go to DV.
if you intend to reedit and may be broadcast your movie, go to a better solution.
You go to digitize an analog video signal. It doesn’t matter if it comes from a VHS or from a 1’C.
The worst the original stuff, the best the method you must use to extract all from the source.
If I would have to do it, I would get a VHS player with TBC and I would plug the S-Video to an AJA or MB.
Set the proper levels and capture to ProRess HQ.
rafael -
Timebase correction will certainly help. Color Correction can be done after capture.
If you capture straight to hard drive, then use the codec that you are editing with or as Rafael says ProRes or even uncompressed.
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Thanks for the input. I will look for a VHS with a timebase corrector.
Now we are entering into some new terain for me.
Just goggled AJA, not sure what MB is.Am sure that the file size of this will be quite a bit bigger, but
you have a point re quality versus archiving, and I think you are pointing me in the right direction.So any other tips re: affordable AJAs and what and MB is,
will be appreciated.This is the first time I have joined to post threads and I am thrilled at the response.
Cute picture.
Beth
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But just saw how expensive it is!!!!
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