I am encountering static on pre-recorded VHS tapes that I am capturing
into Final Cut Express. The recorded audio usually sounds great. The
static is on top of it. Here are details:

I have two VCR's (VCR/DVD combo units):
1.) Toshiba SD-V296KU purchased in February 2009
2.) JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU purchased in December 2007

I use two methods of capture into Final Cut Express:
1.) Canopus ADVC110 (with my current set up, I am not able to monitor
the audio during the capture process)
2.) Copying to miniDV tape via Canon camcorder, then capturing the
miniDV tape

My Protocol:
Originally, I was capturing the tapes without even viewing them on my
television (an HDTV) first. I've been using the Toshiba SD-V296KU
for capturing since purchasing it in February 2009. I usually use the
Canopus ADVC110, and only resort to copying to miniDV tape when the
Canopus ADVC110 and/or Final Cut Express get hung up on control track
errors (?).

About the VHS tapes:
I have been storing the pre-recorded VHS tapes since the 1980's. They
have not been played very much. In fact, two of the tapes (referred
to as Tape A and Tape B below) with the static problem had never been
played before. I unwrapped the shrink wrap around their boxes in
order to capture them. Between the 1980's and 2001, they were stored
upright in New York City without environmental control (hence were
exposed to typical northeastern U.S.A. humidity.) Since 2001, they've
been stored upright here in Southern California's low humidity
climate.

I've felt the Toshiba SD-V296KU is not the source of the problem for
two reasons:
1.) I used the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU for capturing before
purchasing the Toshiba SD-V296KU, and experienced similar static
(albeit not on pre-recorded tapes like now.)
2.) Since using the Toshiba SD-V296KU for capturing, the static
problem occurs in only about one out of five of the pre-recorded VHS
tapes, making me think certain tapes are the culprit.

First test:
Tape A produced static when captured with my usual protocol, Toshiba
SD-V296KU and the Canopus ADVC110. I tested my theory that playing
the tapes more than once would reduce the static, thinking perhaps it
is a build up of static electricity that has to be discharged. My
basis for this theory was a couple of occasions when the static seemed
to be less the second time around -- i.e., less when checked on the
HDTV after capturing. I captured Tape A a total of an additional
three times with the Toshiba SD-V296KU, in succession on the same
day. To check carefully, I played the entire second capture in Final
Cut Express' Viewer, and was disappointed because I didn't detect any
improvement over the first capture. However, when I spot checked the
third capture in the Viewer, I was encouraged because the static
really seemed much less severe; it sounded like the minor crackling
sound of a vinyl record played on a turntable. So I was expecting the
fourth capture to be even better. Unfortunately, the static in the
fourth capture was as bad as the first and second captures.

Other tests:
Attempts to isolate variables in order to determine whether only the
tapes are at fault, and/or whether a particular VCR is contributing to
the problem, or something else, has resulted only in confusion.

Tape B produced static when captured with my usual protocol, Toshiba
SD-V296KU and the Canopus ADVC110. I did a test by copying the first
five minutes of Tape B onto a miniDV tape two times, using the same
cord with a 1/8 inch mini plug going into the Canon camcorder, as
follows:
1.) the first time using the Toshiba SD-V296KU. I could hear very bad
static during the transfer on the camcorder's tiny speakers.
2.) the second time using the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU. I heard
common tape hiss instead, and even the tape hiss decreased when "Hi-
Fi" displayed on the monitor. I did not hear static on the
camcorder's tiny speakers when using the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU.

However, my further testing has not supported the conclusion that the
Toshiba produces the static and not the JCV. Part of the problem in
reaching any conclusion is that the static will not be exactly the
same even when the same tape is played multiple times, with everything
else being the same.

I connected the Toshiba SD-V296KU to my HDTV, and played the same
section of Tape B. The static seemed barely noticeable.

I connected the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU to the Canopus ADVC110 and
used it to capture Tape A for the 5th time. The static is very bad at
the beginning. It seems better later in the capture. This is not the
big difference between the VCR's that I thought I experienced when
comparing transfers of Tape B onto miniDV tape.

I captured the complete Tape B with the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU
connected to the Canopus ADVC110, and it resulted in static as bad as
the capture with the Toshiba SD-V296KU.

Does this reveal anything:
With both Tape A and Tape B captures, static is slightly louder in the
right channel, regardless of which VCR was used during capture. I
looked at the waveforms and peak monitor when playing the captures in
the Final Cut Express Viewer. With Tape A, I checked all five
captures, and although the static was not always the same between
captures, it was always louder in the right channel. It's only
possible to ascertain this difference between the channels where there
is no recorded audio.

"NY2LA" wrote in message
...
I am encountering static on pre-recorded VHS tapes that I am capturing
into Final Cut Express. The recorded audio usually sounds great. The
static is on top of it. Here are details:

I have two VCR's (VCR/DVD combo units):
1.) Toshiba SD-V296KU purchased in February 2009
2.) JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU purchased in December 2007

If you think the VCR itself is causing the static, check the head drum
earthing brush - this is usually a spring loaded carbon brush (or similar)
in contact with the head drum spindle to discharge the static from rubbing
on the tape.

On 8 dic, 00:20, NY2LA wrote:
I am encountering static on pre-recorded VHS tapes that I am capturing
into Final Cut Express. *The recorded audio usually sounds great. *The
static is on top of it. *Here are details:

I have two VCR's (VCR/DVD combo units):
1.) Toshiba SD-V296KU purchased in February 2009
2.) JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU purchased in December 2007

I use two methods of capture into Final Cut Express:
1.) Canopus ADVC110 (with my current set up, I am not able to monitor
the audio during the capture process)
2.) Copying to miniDV tape via Canon camcorder, then capturing the
miniDV tape

My Protocol:
Originally, I was capturing the tapes without even viewing them on my
television (an HDTV) first. * I've been using the Toshiba SD-V296KU
for capturing since purchasing it in February 2009. *I usually use the
Canopus ADVC110, and only resort to copying to miniDV tape when the
Canopus ADVC110 and/or Final Cut Express get hung up on control track
errors (?).

About the VHS tapes:
I have been storing the pre-recorded VHS tapes since the 1980's. *They
have not been played very much. *In fact, two of the tapes (referred
to as Tape A and Tape B below) with the static problem had never been
played before. *I unwrapped the shrink wrap around their boxes in
order to capture them. * Between the 1980's and 2001, they were stored
upright in New York City without environmental control (hence were
exposed to typical northeastern U.S.A. humidity.) *Since 2001, they've
been stored upright here in Southern California's low humidity
climate.

I've felt the Toshiba SD-V296KU is not the source of the problem for
two reasons:
1.) I used the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU for capturing before
purchasing the Toshiba SD-V296KU, and experienced similar static
(albeit not on pre-recorded tapes like now.)
2.) Since using the Toshiba SD-V296KU for capturing, the static
problem occurs in only about one out of five of the pre-recorded VHS
tapes, making me think certain tapes are the culprit.

First test:
Tape A produced static when captured with my usual protocol, Toshiba
SD-V296KU and the Canopus ADVC110. *I tested my theory that playing
the tapes more than once would reduce the static, thinking perhaps it
is a build up of static electricity that has to be discharged. *My
basis for this theory was a couple of occasions when the static seemed
to be less the second time around -- i.e., less when checked on the
HDTV after capturing. *I captured Tape A a total of an additional
three times with the Toshiba SD-V296KU, in succession on the same
day. *To check carefully, I played the entire second capture in Final
Cut Express' Viewer, and was disappointed because I didn't detect any
improvement over the first capture. *However, when I spot checked the
third capture in the Viewer, I was encouraged because the static
really seemed much less severe; it sounded like the minor crackling
sound of a vinyl record played on a turntable. *So I was expecting the
fourth capture to be even better. *Unfortunately, the static in the
fourth capture was as bad as the first and second captures.

Other tests:
Attempts to isolate variables in order to determine whether only the
tapes are at fault, and/or whether a particular VCR is contributing to
the problem, or something else, has resulted only in confusion.

Tape B produced static when captured with my usual protocol, Toshiba
SD-V296KU and the Canopus ADVC110. *I did a test by copying the first
five minutes of Tape B onto a miniDV tape two times, using the same
cord with a 1/8 inch mini plug going into the Canon camcorder, as
follows:
1.) the first time using the Toshiba SD-V296KU. *I could hear very bad
static during the transfer on the camcorder's tiny speakers.
2.) the second time using the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU. *I heard
common tape hiss instead, and even the tape hiss decreased when "Hi-
Fi" displayed on the monitor. *I did not hear static on the
camcorder's tiny speakers when using the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU.

However, my further testing has not supported the conclusion that the
Toshiba produces the static and not the JCV. *Part of the problem in
reaching any conclusion is that the static will not be exactly the
same even when the same tape is played multiple times, with everything
else being the same.

I connected the Toshiba SD-V296KU to my HDTV, and played the same
section of Tape B. * The static seemed barely noticeable.

I connected the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU to the Canopus ADVC110 and
used it to capture Tape A for the 5th time. *The static is very bad at
the beginning. *It seems better later in the capture. *This is not the
big difference between the VCR's that I thought I experienced when
comparing transfers of Tape B onto miniDV tape.

I captured the complete Tape B with the JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU
connected to the Canopus ADVC110, and it resulted in static as bad as
the capture with the Toshiba SD-V296KU.

Does this reveal anything:
With both Tape A and Tape B captures, static is slightly louder in the
right channel, regardless of which VCR was used during capture. *I
looked at the waveforms and peak monitor when playing the captures in
the Final Cut Express Viewer. *With Tape A, I checked all five
captures, and although the static was not always the same between
captures, it was always louder in the right channel. *It's only
possible to ascertain this difference between the channels where there
is no recorded audio.

Excuse me if this is suggestion is a little too basic, but I guess you
tried to adjust the tracking control of the VCR manually, right? If
not, you should try to find the tracking adjustment buttons of the VCR
and use them to solve the problem. Sometimes you can have a crystal
clear picture but bad sound in a Hi-Fi VHS tape because of a
misadjusted tracking control. Also, keep in mind that sometimes Hi-Fi
VHS tapes doesn´t reproduce very well if played in a VCR different
than the one that recorded them, this is specially true if the
original tape was recorded in LP or EP (SLP) speed.

If no amount of traking adjustment can solve the problem, try
reproducing the tapes in MONO, and see if the situation improves.

On 8 dic, 05:20, NY2LA wrote:
I am encountering static on pre-recorded VHS tapes that I am capturing
into Final Cut Express. *The recorded audio usually sounds great. *The
static is on top of it. *Here are details:

I think you need to start right at the beginning of the chain, ruling
out things by empirical 'investigation'!

try:
-connecting both vcrs one at a time to a TV's Av input, play back the
same tape (s) and listen for any crackling. On more than one tv if
poss. See if both VCRs show the problem. if so, could be the tapes;
adjust tracking.
-Maybe try tapes in a friend's vcr as some (especially older ones)
have more 'range' than others. Try getting one from a thrift store for
a few $ to try!

-if the tapes play Ok thru the tv, we can probably rule out the tapes
and vcr. check the cable(s) you use to connect the vcrs to the tv and
to the PC, change it. re-route it.

-connect another device like a dvd player and try and capture that,
see if you still get the problem. if so, you may have electrical noise
from a switchmode power supply or light interfering.

-OS Audio settings. I had some interference capturing when the windows
vol control was not muted on some inputs. check both rec and pb menus.

HTH let us know how it goes!
-B

Thanks, everybody. lsmartino and b, your suggestions led me to try
the following:

Toshiba SD-V296KU connected to HDTV, and switching the Toshiba's audio
modes back and forth:
Tape A - Hi-Fi mode: Static
Tape A - Mono mode: No static
Tape B - Hi-Fi mode: Static
Tape B - Mono mode: No static

JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU connected to HDTV, and switching the JVC's
audio modes back and forth:
Tape A - Hi-Fi mode: Static (at beginning of tape, it comes on as soon
as JVC displays "Hi-Fi" on monitor)
Tape A - Normal mode: No static
Tape B - Hi-Fi mode: Static (but not as loud as when played on
Toshiba)
Tape B - Normal mode: No static

The normal/mono modes sound awful in all cases - loud tape hiss, which
is to be expected, I guess.

More tests to follow.

On 9 dic, 09:02, NY2LA wrote:
Thanks, everybody. *lsmartino and b, your suggestions led me to try
the following:

Toshiba SD-V296KU connected to HDTV, and switching the Toshiba's audio
modes back and forth:
Tape A - Hi-Fi mode: Static
Tape A - Mono mode: No static
Tape B - Hi-Fi mode: Static
Tape B - Mono mode: No static

JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU connected to HDTV, and switching the JVC's
audio modes back and forth:
Tape A - Hi-Fi mode: Static (at beginning of tape, it comes on as soon
as JVC displays "Hi-Fi" on monitor)
Tape A - Normal mode: No static
Tape B - Hi-Fi mode: Static (but not as loud as when played on
Toshiba)
Tape B - Normal *mode: No static

The normal/mono modes sound awful in all cases - loud tape hiss, which
is to be expected, I guess.

More tests to follow.

if neither vcr can pick up the hifi audio properly, that suggests the
tapes were possibly recorded on a misaligned machine or are
deteriorated in some way.You only option here is to try on another
vcr. Like I said, older ones may have more range and be more
forgiving.
At least you now know the source of the problem!
B.

On Dec 9, 2:26*am, b wrote:
if neither vcr can pick up the hifi audio properly, that suggests the
tapes were possibly recorded on a misaligned machine or are
deteriorated in some way.You only option here is to try on another
vcr. Like I said, older ones may have more range and be more
forgiving.

Makes sense. Both tapes were probably made on the same machine.

Please explain a bit more about what you mean by "may have more range
and be more
forgiving."

On 9 dic, 11:52, NY2LA wrote:
On Dec 9, 2:26*am, b wrote:

if neither vcr can pick up the hifi audio properly, that suggests the
tapes were possibly recorded on a misaligned machine or are
deteriorated in some way.You only option here is to try on another
vcr. Like I said, older ones may have more range and be more
forgiving.

Makes sense. *Both tapes were probably made on the same machine.

Please explain a bit more about what you mean by "may have more range
and be more
forgiving."

I have found that older machines *can* be more forgiving of poorly
recorded tapes, or tapes recorded on less-than-perfect tape path
alignment, which could be the case here. This means that you might be
able to use the tracking control to get a clear reproduction.

As they are available second hand for little money these days - or
free, ask on your local freecycle group - it may be worth a try. Be
sure to get a model with hifi stereo audio capability. look at local
thrift stores.

Incidentally, did the tapes play back ok when you first recorded them?
if the machine you used back then had slightly worn or dirty heads,
audio is usually the first sign of a problem (the higher frequencies
are recorded near the surface of the tape and don't penetrate much, so
any wear causes crackling and dropouts way before the picture
deteriorates).
-B
-B

On 9 dic, 04:02, NY2LA wrote:
Thanks, everybody. *lsmartino and b, your suggestions led me to try
the following:

Toshiba SD-V296KU connected to HDTV, and switching the Toshiba's audio
modes back and forth:
Tape A - Hi-Fi mode: Static
Tape A - Mono mode: No static
Tape B - Hi-Fi mode: Static
Tape B - Mono mode: No static

JVC HRXVC14BU/HR-XVC15SU connected to HDTV, and switching the JVC's
audio modes back and forth:
Tape A - Hi-Fi mode: Static (at beginning of tape, it comes on as soon
as JVC displays "Hi-Fi" on monitor)
Tape A - Normal mode: No static
Tape B - Hi-Fi mode: Static (but not as loud as when played on
Toshiba)
Tape B - Normal *mode: No static

The normal/mono modes sound awful in all cases - loud tape hiss, which
is to be expected, I guess.

More tests to follow.


Did you try to adjust the tracking control of both VCR while playing
the tapes in HiFi mode? Probably a careful tracking adjustment can
solve the problem you are experiencing. As I told you before, I have
seen that HiFi VHS tapes recorded in LP or EP (SLP) modes show poor
audio or/and video performance when played in a VCR different than the
one who recorded them.

On Dec 9, 12:40*pm, lsmartino wrote:

Did you try to adjust the tracking control of both VCR while playing
the tapes in HiFi mode? Probably a careful tracking adjustment can
solve the problem you are experiencing. As I told you before, I have
seen that HiFi VHS tapes recorded in LP or EP (SLP) modes show poor
audio or/and video performance when played in a VCR different than the
one who recorded them.

I think adjusting the tracking didn't help once in the past. But I am
going to try it again, on both VCR's, and will post the results later.

All of the tapes were recorded at SP. Absolutely none of them were
recorded in LP or EP/SLP.

On Dec 9, 12:40*pm, lsmartino wrote:

Did you try to adjust the tracking control of both VCR while playing
the tapes in HiFi mode? Probably a careful tracking adjustment can
solve the problem you are experiencing. As I told you before, I have
seen that HiFi VHS tapes recorded in LP or EP (SLP) modes show poor
audio or/and video performance when played in a VCR different than the
one who recorded them.

I think adjusting the tracking didn't help once in the past. But I am
going to try it again, on both VCR's, and will post the results later.

All of the tapes were recorded at SP. Absolutely none of them were
recorded in LP or EP/SLP.

On Dec 9, 4:31*am, b wrote:
I have found that older machines *can* be more forgiving of poorly
recorded tapes, or tapes recorded on less-than-perfect tape path
alignment, which could be the case here. This means that you might be
able to use the tracking control to get a clear reproduction.

As they are available second hand for little money these days - or
free, ask on your local freecycle group - it may be worth a try. Be
sure to get a model with hifi stereo audio capability. look at local
thrift stores.

Incidentally, did the tapes play back ok when you first recorded them?
if the machine you used back then had slightly worn or dirty heads,
audio is usually the first sign of a problem (the higher frequencies
are recorded near the surface of the tape and don't penetrate much, so
any wear causes crackling and dropouts way before the picture
deteriorates).
-B

As far as I recall, the tapes sounded fine the first time I played
them. However, some have never been played until now.

I'll post again after I do still more tests.

The suggestion to buy an old machine is a great idea. I am concerned
about ending up with a machine that actually damages the tapes, rather
than helps, though. How do I avoid that? Can you recommend a dealer
who takes care of old VCR's and sells them? Thanks.

On Dec 9, 4:31*am, b wrote:
I have found that older machines *can* be more forgiving of poorly
recorded tapes, or tapes recorded on less-than-perfect tape path
alignment, which could be the case here. This means that you might be
able to use the tracking control to get a clear reproduction.

As they are available second hand for little money these days - or
free, ask on your local freecycle group - it may be worth a try. Be
sure to get a model with hifi stereo audio capability. look at local
thrift stores.

Incidentally, did the tapes play back ok when you first recorded them?
if the machine you used back then had slightly worn or dirty heads,
audio is usually the first sign of a problem (the higher frequencies
are recorded near the surface of the tape and don't penetrate much, so
any wear causes crackling and dropouts way before the picture
deteriorates).
-B

As far as I recall, the tapes sounded fine the first time I played
them. However, some have never been played until now.

I'll post again after I do still more tests.

The suggestion to buy an old machine is a great idea. I am concerned
about ending up with a machine that actually damages the tapes, rather
than helps, though. How do I avoid that? Can you recommend a dealer
who takes care of old VCR's and sells them? Thanks.