VHS capture video problems

[umansky9]

I have an ATI TV WONDER PRO and a Sanyo VCR which I am using to convert old (10-15 year old) vhs tapes to dvd. I am having an issue with the video. As the tape is playing, some (not all) of the color appears to flicker on the top half of the screen (red/magenta becomes blue/white). It may be the tape, I can accept that. But I am trying to figure out a way to either filter this out or be able to remaster the video once i have captured it. Is there any software that can do this while capturing, or to the captured video file? Or is there a piece of hardware I can use between the vcr and my capture card?

[ormonde]

You might be experiencing the effects of "Macrovision" protections on the VHS tapes. There are specific devices that you can obtain that will filter out these effects.

[umansky9]

this is a video record made from a blank vhs tape. I have been successful in recording videos with macrovision enabled but this one is just so old. I think it was recorded in the early 1980's.

[sfheath]

It doesn't sound far enough out of true to be a serious macrovision problem so I'd be surprised if a field timebase correction device would sort it.
It might but I'd suggest it's a simple matter of tracking. Sounds like the head tracking of your playback device isn't quite matching the recorder's.
If you don't have a tracking adjustment (most are automatic these days) can you try another player?

[umansky9]

The video from the vcr appears great when connected directly to a tv. But when connected to my capture card I get the distortion. I have tried other tapes that were purchased, and they record without a problem. The tape that is having the issue was recorded in 1982 from an HBO broadcast. The tracking doesn't appear to be the issue. for some reason when i play this tape through my pc to capture it, the color distortion occurs. when i play any other tape and capture, nothing like this happens at all.

[sfheath]

So for clarity:
it's only this tape when played in your vcr connected to the PC gets the colour distorion?
Any other tape in this setup is ok?
Playing this tape with the vcr connected to the tv is ok?
I know I'm going to know it but it's late here HBO?

[umansky9]

Correct

[sfheath]

Can you borrow a signal booster to put in between VCR and PC?

And HBO?

[umansky9]

Well i am currently borrowing a different vcr with hi-fi whereas the sanyo is a 4 head mono vcr.

HBO is the Home Box Office cable broadcast channel. HBO does standup comedy specials for comedians and i have about 15 different comedians doing their first special (tim allen, rodney dangerfield, bob saget, buddy hackett, etc.)

Who makes this signal booster? Where might i locate one?

[sfheath]

I was thinking the signal might just be a little weak since tracking seems ok. Thinking about the booster I realise they are aerial amplifiers and therefore not the solution.
I'm mystified as to why it plays ok on the TV. Anyone else any ideas?

[umansky9]

Well i borrowed my buddies' hi-fi vcr and it pretty much fixed the problem. There is some minor color distortion but not enough to make it unbearable as before. however, i just found an actual production video new which i will be purchasing later this week. hopefully it should not have the same problems. But there are still 15 or so tapes to go that i will not be able to find originals to replace them. Thank you for your help

[sfheath]

You're very welcome and good luck