Tools for fixing old videos

[Bhanu Neti]

I have videos that are captured from VHS Cassettes. I need to use them in a project. The original VHS cassettes are about 15 years old and are not properly archived. The video captured has following issues:

1. Waviness in the video
2. Some Portions of the video show up in black and white
3. Some specs/spots on the videos.

Looking for suggestions on tools on Mac for FCP or standalone tools for removing/reducing these issues.

Thanks

[William Hohauser]

Not an easy task.

First of all you need to find a good VHS deck that stabilizes the video on playback. They don't make many of these anymore but something like the old Panasonic AG-1980 or the newer JVC SR-MV40 have very good TBC circuity that have fixed VHS tapes for me in the past. A good TBC can reduce or eliminate waviness, loss of color and if the spots are the result of oxide drop-out remove these as well.

Unfortunately some VHS tapes are so bad that a TBC can make the problem worse as the circuitry can't lock on to the signal at all.

If the waviness and loss of color is recorded on the tape then there is probably no solution. A bad recording is a bad recording. If there is a physical malfunction in the cassette, there are some solutions but none that can be solved in the computer.

[Bhanu Neti]

Thanks William,
I will look around, if i can get them converted outside. Do you have any suggestions on this kind of service providers.

[Moayad Hassan]

'TBC"... I haven't heard this word for a very long time :p


Try CHV Repair-collection:

Plugins for Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express by CHV-electronics

It won't perform magic, but it might help a little. Try the demo.

[Richard Alvarez]

The canopus advc 300 box has a time base corrector built in, but you're looking at a chunk of change. You'll need SOMETHING to convert the analog to digital though.

http://desktop.thomsongrassvalley.co...00_closeup.php