Improving VCR-to-PC Copies Software?

[MegalosSkylaki]

I'd like to get rid of all the stashed VCR tapes I still have, preferably without having to view them again while copying to save time. I don't know what hardware/software I will use to to this, but I need to keep an eye on the following:

Are there any software you'd recommend for improving on (noise, graineyness. general lo-rez) nature of VCR tapes? This my primary issue.

As a secondary question, features that in keep seperate recordings on same VCR-tape identifiably apart is especiall helpful. Editing will come after recording. so organizing while recording would greatly simpify later deletion of unwanted or irredemable segments.

~ ~ ~

Also, I came across this by nVidia:
vReveal Video Enhancement Software - Fix Dark, Shaky, Noisy, Blurry, Low-Resolution Videos | www.vreveal.com

Any knowledge by either experience, word-of-mouth, reviews ?

ThanX,
DOOOOG

[Atlantix]

I recommend one of two options depending on what you want to do.

The first one is faster but it will cost you money - oh, about a thousand or so... Purchase a Grass Valley video capture box, the one that has all the video enhancements and your video will look it's best.

Option two will cost you less, but you will pay with your time. Use an old D8 or DV camcorder for digitizing - connect the VCR to the camcorder, camcorder to your PC via firewire. Then load the video into Virtualdub - Google around for some excellent and free video filters specifically designed for VHS video enhancing.

You will be surprised what you can achieve!

[osprey4]

Here's my suggestion:
1. Inventory all the VHS tapes you want to convert.
2. Rent the DVDs at Blockbuster and copy them.

Excellent quality!

[Atlantix]

I believe the OP refers to home videos and not commercial movies.

[evereddie]

This topic is worthly of pages and pages of discussion. (which I have been involved in on other forums) A very important point right off the bat is the quality of the playback VCR. They are all far from equal and If I were you i would try every deck i can get my hands on and judge the quality on a good TV set. A good VCR will have several different circuits for cleaning up the video as well as a tbc (time base corrector) for fixing jitter errors and making the video sent into the computer capture system stable. Auto tracking can be a plus but in some cases you will want to turn it off and adjust it manually.

[bigBonehead]

Sabrent USB 2.0 VideoAudio Capture DVD Maker Adapter - USB 2.0, MPEG Encoder, Plug-n-Play, Vista Ready USB-AVCPT at Global Computer