<p>The problem is almost definitely with the tape or the VCR. Most likely the sync or black level is off or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMA5aH_olAQ" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the control track is fluttering</a>, which is throwing off the ADC in the capture dongle. You will need a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_base_correction" rel="nofollow noreferrer">time base corrector (TBC)</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_synchronization_(video)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">frame synchronizer</a> to correct the problem.</p>

<p>Ideally, you should also have a way to view and adjust the video levels. Usually you can adjust levels with a good quality TBC or FS. You can use software to view a waveform and vectorscope after digitization.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-13T16:57:57.537Z
It must be the VCR, because every tape does the same. Thanks for the explanation, even though I don't know much about waveforms and I don't know if I would understand what I would see. :P
Alexinho25
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T21:53:28.093Z
2017-08-12T21:53:28.093Z
Michael Liebman
<p>I need advice for something I want to do with VCR to PC image transfering. I have bought a video capture usb (RCA to usb) but there is a problem with the image... It's shaking right and left.
Like this <div class="youtube-embed"><div>
                <iframe width="640px" height="395px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OwtqqhVU0I4?start=0"></iframe>
            </div></div></p>

<p>Firstly, let me tell you that when I connect the VCR to the TV the image is fine. Also when I connect a DVD player (a device way newer than the VCR) to the PC through the same usb, the image is also fine. So, something must be wrong when the analog-to-digital signal converting is happening. It's like the TV sees this problematic image and has a way to fix it somehow. On the other hand, the usb doesn't have a way to fix it, so I have this shaking image.</p>

<p>So, my question is: </p>

<p>What are the possible explanations/causes for this? Usb device quality? VCR quality? What system has a TV to fix a VCR shaking image?? Is there a software or some settings for PC that do the same fix a TV does?</p>

<video-capture><usb>
Need advice about VCR to PC connection
Alexinho25
# Need advice about VCR to PC connection

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-12)

I need advice for something I want to do with VCR to PC image transfering. I have bought a video capture usb (RCA to usb) but there is a problem with the image... It's shaking right and left.
Like this

Firstly, let me tell you that when I connect the VCR to the TV the image is fine. Also when I connect a DVD player (a device way newer than the VCR) to the PC through the same usb, the image is also fine. So, something must be wrong when the analog-to-digital signal converting is happening. It's like the TV sees this problematic image and has a way to fix it somehow. On the other hand, the usb doesn't have a way to fix it, so I have this shaking image.

So, my question is:

What are the possible explanations/causes for this? Usb device quality? VCR quality? What system has a TV to fix a VCR shaking image?? Is there a software or some settings for PC that do the same fix a TV does?

**Tags:** video-capture, usb


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-12. Score: 2

The problem is almost definitely with the tape or the VCR. Most likely the sync or black level is off or [the control track is fluttering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMA5aH_olAQ), which is throwing off the ADC in the capture dongle. You will need a [time base corrector (TBC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_base_correction) or [frame synchronizer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_synchronization_(video)) to correct the problem.

Ideally, you should also have a way to view and adjust the video levels. Usually you can adjust levels with a good quality TBC or FS. You can use software to view a waveform and vectorscope after digitization.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: It must be the VCR, because every tape does the same. Thanks for the explanation, even though I don't know much about waveforms and I don't know if I would understand what I would see. :P  

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