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VHS TO PC TRANSFER: no color

JM26 -  
 Toto86 -
Hello,
I have already successfully completed this type of transfer using the Grabster Terratec AV 250, but I can't get color in one very specific case: the VHS recording in question comes from a miniDV tape (so digital) that I have since erased; I have done recording simulations with my camcorder from a miniDV whose content I send to VHS; and the VHS to PC transfer always gives the same result in Windows Movie Maker: black and white image + sound, that's all. I have respectively modified the numerous TV parameters in the drop-down window of the Grabster, in association with those of the VCR display whose menu offers a more limited choice: PAL/SECAM/MESECAM/B.W./AUTO: the TV image itself is either in black and white or in color with PAL and AUTO being the default configuration. But the computer only displays black and white: nothing works; I’ve also tried all combinations (S-Video or composite cable) including taking it from the TV through the SCART out. I am perplexed and even more disappointed that this is a precious recording which I cannot put in black and white on a CD even though it is in color on a "vulgar" VHS! If someone could help me, I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance.
Configuration: Windows XP Windows Movie Maker

2 answers

  1. Anonymous user
     
    --
    Hello

    For the VHS to PC capture card transfer, I think you need to choose Secam for the acquisition setting.

    Best regards
    JC
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  2. Toto86
     
    Hello, your VHS is in PAL because it comes from a mini-DV that is in PAL. So with the RCA connection set to PAL everywhere, I don't see why there wouldn't be any color. However, it's a shame that you erased the mini-DV tape!! By copying it to VHS, you lose a lot of quality, whereas if you had kept it, it would have been easy to transfer without loss via FireWire to the PC! Such a shame...
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    1. JM26
       
      Thank you for pinpointing the issue; I may try the PAL format again all the way through, even though I've already tried all the specifications several times; every time I think I see a color image appear in the window, but it’s just the illusion of my hope!
      You are right about the quality difference, but at the time of this recording in miniDV, I didn't have a computer, I was watching it on TV and had deleted that recording out of economy after transferring it to VHS to give it directly to the friend concerned. Since then, I’ve upgraded my computer equipment and wanted to make him a digital copy on CD, but since I no longer have the original, I attempted, as I explained, to retrieve it from the VHS. Furthermore, I had decided to keep all my original DVs from now on, which does not prevent me from backing them up on a hard drive for the day when there will be no more equipment in good condition to read miniDV, even if it is still available. Nevertheless, I think the ideal camcorder today includes an internal hard drive: what convenience for transferring to the computer!
      I’m glad about this exchange and thank you again. JM 26
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      1. Toto86 > JM26
         
        There’s no reason why you can’t do it!! For hard drive cameras, I don't really like this media because it's not separable from the camcorder, and a hard drive is still quite fragile; one shock and bam, it's all garbage!! The memory card is better, more reliable, and nothing prevents having multiple cards to offset the lower capacity compared to the hard drive! And if one card has a problem, you don’t throw your camcorder in the trash!! But for the sake of easy transfer, and not liking things that are too small, I still have a preference for cassettes... :-)
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