Converting PAL VHS - pixelation

Haz · Post by **Haz** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:45 am

I am using VS9 to convert some vhs tapes to dvd (using composite video as the vcr I'm using does not have s-video output). However, I cannot select the correct resolution (720 x 576) because it makes the output pixelated, including when recording. When I use other resolutions the quality is how it should be but of course the video is streched or squished.

I have also tried to do it in the DVD MovieFactory 5 trial, but the same problem occurs - when I select the video format as PAL_B it is the right resolution but pixelated (it is more obvious is full screen than in the preview window), when I select NSTC_M it is good quality but squished.

Does anybody know what I can do to convert my PAL tapes at the correct resolution without this pixelation? Thanks very much.

PS. if it is important I am using the V-Stream 2800 usb.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:12 pm

If your VCR has a SCART socket you can get a converter so that you can plug the svideo or RCA plugs into your SCART socket.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:55 pm

I see that your capture device comes with Cyberlink Power Producer 2, which is considerably out of date. However, have you actually installed that program and tried capturing with it instead of Video Studio? Quite often, a capture device works best with the software it came with. You can then capture using that program, but transfer the captured video to Video Studio for editing.

Doverwhite · Post by **Doverwhite** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:17 pm

Sorry to correct you sjj1805 but unless the scart on Haz's VCR is fully Y/C enabled the Scart to S-Video adapter will not work. In my experience it is highly unlikely that Y/C is enabled on a Scart on a normal VCR and only composite is available on the scart socket. Y/C is usually only available on very top notch machines or S-VHS VCR's which almost certainly will have a S-video output anyway.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:14 pm

Doverwhite
So how do you describe this then. My VHS is an Asda £60 cheapo

Haz · Post by **Haz** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:33 am

Thanks for the replies. No the vcr does not have scart. I have tried the software that came with it, same results. I have ended up using the other encoder instead of YUY2 (I can't remember what it is, I cant look because I'm in the middle of burning) with a resolution that is close enough to the original appearance of the video to satisfy me.

Doverwhite · Post by **Doverwhite** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:21 pm

Hi SJJ1805, what you show in your top picture is a composite video in to scart out convertor. There is no sign of an S-video connection. and therefore the convertor is almost certainly not Y/C Scart enabled

Unfortunately the lower picture is too indistinct to show clearly but I think it shows the composite video output (Red phono type connector) on your VCR. This is not S-Video.

I trust I am not re-stating common knowledge. The difference between S- Video and composite video is that the former seperates the Luminance Y signal from the Chrominance C signal and delivers a considerably improved video quality.

I have a similar adapter to the one you show on the back of my main TV but it has a fourth socket (a sort of mini din) for S-Video and as my TV has a Y/C enabled scart I use this adapter to connect my Super VHS VCR using the S-Video output. I have to select EXT1YC as distinct from EXT1 to take advantage of this higher quality input on my TV. I have never seen a standard VHS machine with a S-video output but this does not mean that perhaps some upmarket models may have this facility.

If you are into buying a VCR these days then since you can get a very good JVC S-VHS VCR for £85 then why buy anything else. The recording quality on good S-VHS tape is superb and to my mind makes SP DVD look jaded. Furthermore S-VHS VCRs usually make a much better job of replaying even old standard VHS tapes and is a superb stable source for this type of material if archiving to DVD.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:14 pm

The bottom connection is where the yellow lead plugs into a mini DIN type socket and according my WinTV2000 software it is a S-Video connection. Sorry couldn't get a clearer picture but as you've probably guessed my computer is all "plumbed in" and takes a while to get it out of the unit.

Other than that thanks for the good explanation concerning composite and s-video.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:30 pm

Steve -- I have a Win DV2000 capture/TV card and can confirm what you said about the mini DIN plug BUT with a couple of glosses. In the case of my card, the DIN plug has been adjusted to also have a channel for audio (which a normal S-Video plug would not); AND, while it will take a standard S-video cable from an S-video-capable VCR, it will also, via an adaptor cable which comes with it, take the standard yellow/red/white RCA composite plugs from the VCR (i.e. as you appear to have it set up). But this will not mean that you will get S-video quality in the capture.

Doverwhite · Post by **Doverwhite** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:57 pm

Thanks Ken

I think your explanation is definitely correct. I was not sure which end was the VCR and which the PC. I agree that SJJ1805's VCR is feeding composite via an adapter to phono/RCA to his capture card which receives it via a non standard S-video type connection. The transfer however is at composite quality not S-Video as the standard VHS VCR does not produce this.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 10:34 pm

Thank you both

I feed RCA cables via the top most adapter from the SCART output of my VCR. the Yellow cable fits into a mini din plug that connects to the s-video socket as per the picture below.