Cleaning up old VHS tapes

collind · Post by **collind** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:03 pm

I have just purchased VideoStudio 10+ and will be working with some VHS tapes that are 17+ years old. Some of these tapes have portions where the video has deteriorated over time so that the picture is mostly noise and little of the original remains. The audio is still fine.

Does anyone have experience solving such a problem wih VS or other software?

Thanks much.

roy wood · Post by **roy wood** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:26 pm

Hi, as I understand it from your post some of the video on each tape has deteriated but the rest is Ok if this is the case all you can realistically do is capture the good bits put in a few still images and transitions to fill the gaps.... Just one thing you might try fast forward and rewinding your VHS tapes a few times in case the tape has distorted slightly and is not tracking on the playback heads properly then see if there is any improvement.

skier-hughes · Post by **skier-hughes** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:18 pm

I agree with Roy,
What is no longer there cannot be brought back to life, unless of course you have this super douper software as used on the likes of CSI and other crime shows which magically shows you all you need to in a few milliseconds!!!!!!

I don't use VS, but in adobe premiere you have control over levels/sharpness and colour all of which if used correctly may make you picture look a little better.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:22 pm

Out of curiosity, how do you plan to capture/transfer the VHS footage to your computer?

And in what format will you be capturing?

Regards,
George

collind · Post by **collind** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:09 pm

I am capturing the video by connecting to a box by AVerMedia, AVerTV USB2.0 PLUS. So far, I have been using MPEG1 format. I haven't installed the VS yet but I do have several tapes loaded onto the computer via the box and I assume that I can just read those files and edit them with the VS software.

It's the usual story: I have about 20 hours of video of my daughter that I would like to condence down to maybe 2. And some of the best moments have deteriorated.

I have tried fast forward and rewind, but perhaps if I do it a few times that will help.

Thanks everyone.