We have been attempting to import composite video from our deck (which lacks TBC), from S-VHS tape, using BNC-connector, to the Avid Mojo SDI and then to the computer and Media Composer.  The video comes into the Media Composer, but has a lot of distortion.  A former Avid-user postulates that there may be a setting in Media Composer (he said possibly under bin settings) which could be clicked, in order to correct and improve the video import.  In other words, a software-based solution or "built-in" time base corrector of some sort.

On the other hand, another resource suggests that we obtain a Time Base Corrector A-D Converter (hardware), to go between the deck and the Mojo SDI, if a software solution is not available.  But, he warned that adding such hardware necessarily loses some of the signal.  Any idea if we can remedy this problem through Media Composer, itself?  Or, would we need to go the hardware route?  Thanks.

Unless there is some software breakthrough I am not aware of, you definitely will be looking at hardware.

Although you might be able to find an outboard TBC, I would suggest seeing if you can locate, and then rent or borrow a deck with an internal TBC. The feedback circuitry possible with an internal unit will give you the best possible result.

But even a standalone unit will at least make sure all the video lines show up at exactly the right moment.

We have a Sony SVO-5800 S-VHS deck with a built in TBC. You might want to see if you could obtain or at least rent this deck.

At a push, you may find that a stand-alone domestic DVD recorder, such as the retail devices by Sony and/or Panasonic, will time-base correct whatever dodgy signal appears on its inputs, by the time it reaches the EE output, even without setting the machine into record mode. I have, on occasion, fixed a VHS input this way. Cheap and not necessarily cheerful but better than a picture breaking-up when you're miles away from a proper TBC.

J

Yep... A TBC is in order.  You can also try to patch your VHS output into the input of a professional deck, then out of the professional deck into your Mojo's input.  On numerous occasions, I did route thru a BetaSP PVW2800 and it did the trick.  A real TBC would prform much better though.

HTH

Michel

For me VHS via SVHS connection into a DV deck, camera or clamshell and then via FW into Avid will give you the best results. DV does not suffer from dropouts nearly as badly as BetaSP and does not need a Mojo to get into Avid.  Each new DV copy will have TC for subsequent batch capture if required.