Is a perfect DVD to VHS transfer possible?

DTJB · Post by **DTJB** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:46 am

For my latest project, I've finally got the scenes picked out and in the order I want to use them. Now I just need to do the initial editing process. The problem is, some of the footage I need to use is in the DVD format, and this is the first time I've worked with DVD. My resources are very limited and all I can work with is a computer with a VCR hooked up to it. In order to use the DVD footage, I have to tape it onto a VHS tape for the VCR. I've already tried copying the footage already, but when I play it back on the tape, I get these tiny horizontal lines when I play the tape back. It's not too much of a problem, but it's still an inconvenience to me, makes the final video look a little unprofessional. Is there a way (preferably a cheap way) to get rid of the lines? If not, I guess it's just something I'll have to live with.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 7:31 am

The best way to get rid of line noise is to just crop those lines out.

It's very difficult to get a good DVD->VHS transfer. I'd say "perfect" is impossible, but with some VERY high-grade VCRs you might be able to pull it off.

Of course, if you have one of those high-grade VCRs then I don't see why you can't just get a cheap DVD-ROM drive

DJ_Izumi · Post by **DJ_Izumi** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 12:03 pm

Do you only notice these lines when the image 'pans' or moves a lot?

What's most likely the case is the video output to the TV Out dosn't have vertical sync.

In the case with ATI Radeon cards, only one output can have vertical sink and work threw the overlay. Is it possable for you to set the TV Out to the 'primary' output rather then the secondary?

TaranT · Post by **TaranT** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:30 pm

Can you unplug the VCR and plug the DVD player into the PC instead, i.e. bypass the VCR altogether?

DJ_Izumi · Post by **DJ_Izumi** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:31 pm

He's not talking about Macrovision, is he? He's talking about AMVs being output via TV Out, isn't he?

TaranT · Post by **TaranT** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 7:20 pm

DJ_Izumi wrote:He's not talking about Macrovision, is he? He's talking about AMVs being output via TV Out, isn't he?

No, I think he's talking about getting footage (analog capture) to make an AMV. Also, my experience with Macrovision is that it ruins the video copy. It's unwatchable and worse than just having some lines on an otherwise clean image.

Thin lines could be electrical noise picked up by cheap cables and connectors. Or maybe the VCR is defective or of poor quality.

NicholasDWolfwood · Post by **NicholasDWolfwood** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 9:05 pm

Are these horizontal lines at the top/bottom of your footage, about 6-8 pixels big? If so, these lines are the lines that represent the audio track on a VHS tape.

klinky · Post by **klinky** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 10:34 pm

You don't have a DVD-rom drive in the computer >_> <_< ?

And if the lines are only at the bottom them crop them out. If they run through the entire video, then you're out of luck...

DTJB · Post by **DTJB** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 12:28 pm

Maybe I should have clarified what type of lines I'm getting. The lines appear to be a few millimeters in width (as far as how they look on the T.V. screen) and there are 8 or 9 of them, evenly spaced. I hope it is just audio noise and not the Macrovision crap.

klinky wrote:You don't have a DVD-rom drive in the computer >_> <_< ?

Uh...NO! Unfortunately, some of us still have computers dating back to the stone age!

Seriously though, the only way I can make my AMVs is by using someone else's computer, and no, it's a Macintosh with no DVD-rom. Maybe in a couple years, I'll get myself a decent computer like everyone else has.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 2:50 pm

DTJB wrote:Maybe I should have clarified what type of lines I'm getting. The lines appear to be a few millimeters in width (as far as how they look on the T.V. screen) and there are 8 or 9 of them, evenly spaced. I hope it is just audio noise and not the Macrovision crap.

Macrovision is VERY EASY to spot. If your picture's brightness goes from insanely bright to very dark periodically, then that's Macrovision screwing around with the gain control.