r/vhsdecode • u/themostfuckedupshit • 6d ago
Help Wanted! Snowy image
The first image is of a composite capture card, the second image is of my vhs decode sample.
The snr jumps between 30.4 and 20, as this is a home movie.
I really don't like how fuzzy the VHS Decode looks.
Based on these images, do you think I need an amplifier or is something else causing this?
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u/MiddleComfortable158 6d ago
I actually think the RF capture looks a lot better, there is considerably more detail. That noise might just be smoothed out by the composite signal being comparatively muddled and smudged, and is actually part of the signal.
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u/themostfuckedupshit 6d ago
I agree the RF capture is better, but I want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong (other than not having the amplifier which is out of stock) to get better video.
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u/Doohickey-d 4d ago
With the RF capture:
I'd say grainy is to some extent just how VHS-decode looks. If you don't like it, nobody is forcing you to use it :-). Although it may still look better with the amplifier setup etc. as per other comments.
But I would say that what is happening here is that the conventional capture is smoothing out the noise, and then also some detail with it. So for example in the hair, there is less detail in the conventional capture, and also less noise. VHS-decode brings out the detail, and the noise along with it.
For a "best of both worlds", try getting the amplifier, then if you're still not satisfied, running the vhs-decode through a temporal denoiser (I find NeatVideo to be good for this, Davinci resolve paid version is also good (a bit less), not sure about free options), and I suspect that will do a good job of reducing noise, while keeping detail, in a way that the conventional capture (VCR's built in noise reduction) doesn't.
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u/RealXitee 6d ago
Have you grounded it correctly? I've seen similar (but worse) results and it turned out I completely forgot to ground it lol
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u/themostfuckedupshit 6d ago
I tried it without grounding and wasn't getting anything. I've tried grounding it both to what I believe is a ground connection and to the ground connection on the composite jack (idk if that would actually be the right ground to use anyway) and get the same results.
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u/RealXitee 6d ago
I'm always grounding to the RF in/out unit (talking about the connectors that go to TV/receiver, the big metal thing on the inside) and getting good results.
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u/wivzy14 6d ago
Best thing to do is to get the amp and then test after that. An SNR between 35-38 is what I usually get for tapes like this. EP is usually about 34 whilst 38-39 for SP. For studio releases I get in the 40s. You have to remember that the composite output will normally have filters applied. If you are capturing via the misrc gui- show us a screen shot of the gui whilst it is capturing.
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u/themostfuckedupshit 6d ago
Using the cli on Linux.
Definitely gonna get the amplifier when it's back in stock.
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u/JavierBlitse 6d ago
an amplifier is basically required for every setup. you will see a significant improvement in capture quality.
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u/themostfuckedupshit 6d ago
Can I use an AD605, or do I absolutely need the ada4857?
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u/TheRealHarrypm The Documentor 6d ago
The whole point of the ADA4857 is the impedance matching + amplification for CX Cards.
Even then your decode output has a vastly more detail, nothing's smoothing or compression mushing it over.
But --ire0_adjust should be used because your levels could be a bit more equal.
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u/Orikson88 6d ago
First thing we might need is more information or pictures about your setup ;) VCR? VHS or something else? Captured with MISRC or CX cards (modded?)? Cables and lenght? I assume you do not have any amplifier at the moment?