Beta Tape Cleaner

Probably not the right place to post this, but I'm at a stand still - We have beta tapes from 20 years ago that we not very well kept so it they are dusty and plays like crap. We are using a Sony J-30 Betacam player and FCP to log and capture the footages form the tape, but because the tapes are dirty, they all have this horrible lines across the screen.
I was wondering if anyone knows if there's a device that cleans beta tapes, any other ideas on hos to solve this problem will be very much appreciated.
Thanks.

Russ One wrote:
Do the search in Google on "Baking Video Tape" and also "Baking Audio Tape" lots of info there and even companies that do it or you.
Interesting piece of information, Russ, thanks for the tip. I wonder if that will work on my ancient 3/4" tapes?
that we not very well kept so it they are dusty and plays like crap. We are using a Sony J-30
Betacam player and FCP to log and capture the footages form the tape, but because the tapes are
dirty, they all have this horrible lines across the screen.
I've got to comment on the screen appearance, though. Oxide separation usually causes immediate head clogging. "Lines " from Beta playback can indicate a bad head, not necessarily caused by dirt or oxide flaking. Lines that remain constant through the entire playback indicate magnetic damage to the tape. Surface damage migrates and evolves over time. That is, it's not possible to, say, drag one's fingernail across the top edge of the packed tape and have it appear constant. The diameter of the pack changes to the timing on the edge damage artifacts change as the tape plays.
Further, it's almost impossible for dust to penetrate the closed Beta cassette. I don't think your issue is dust.
bogiesan

Similar Messages

Copying beta tapes to DVD

I have some old beta tapes that I want to copy to DVD. I've seen products such as myTV.pvr that allow connecting a VCR to iMac, then copy the file to DVD. A few questions:
1. I understand that myTV.pvr creates files in MPEG-2 format. Does iDVD '08 support MPEG-2?
2. If anyone else has experience with myTV.pvr or similar Mac-compatible products, I would be interested in any recommendations or experiences (good or bad).
Thank you.

G'day,
I've had a lot of success with mpeg streamclip (free software) which allows a multitude of format conversions, especially mpeg2 (DVD) to .dv which imovie 6 requires. You will also need to purchase the mpeg2 playback add-on from Apple (inexpensive). Using mpeg streamclip you can re-edit previously burnt DVDs by opening them in mpeg streamclip and then saving them as .dv files. You can then import the .dv files into imovie 6 and burn them from idvd. The added advantage of mpeg streamclip is that it allows you to capture video projects created on non-firewire devices (most current digital camcorder models). Hope this is of use.
Cheers from Oz

Capture Entire Beta Tape

I’m using FCP 6 with a Sony J-30 Beta Cam player, I just learned how to use Log and Capture to get clips from the beta cam player, but I was wondering if anyone knows how to get the entire content of a tape without the need for loging, will there be a way to insert a Beta tape and start capturing until the tape is done playing?
The reason I would like to do this is because we have thousands of Beta Tapes from 30 to 40 years ago that we will like to digitize and archive.
Any other helpful information would be appreciated.
Thanks in Advance.

Also make sure you put a check mark and time limit for 'Limit Capture Now to'...in your Systems Settings dialog.
If you don't, FCP will allocate the entire available drive space, since it has no idea how long to capture...and you'll end up with an unusable file.
I always set it for a couple of minutes beyond my longest tape to capture. If your biggest beta is a 40, then set it for 42. If you have a 90 min. tape, then set it for 92...etc.
You can set it for whatever you want (as long as it is more than you need) and it will not affect the length of any media to be captured.
K

Digitize Beta tape with Sony UVW 1800 Betacam SP deck

Hi guys
I'm trying to digitize Beta tape with using Sony UVW 1800 Betacam SP deck. We've tried so many ways but still no luck.....If anybody has successful experience with this, please share the wisdom...!!!
I wrote what we've tried so far.
From Sony UVW 1800 Betacam sp deck to Sony media converter DVMC-DA2:
-S video cable, From BNC to RCA video cable, Audio cable connected with RCA cable.
(I've tried S video cable and BNC-RCA video cable at a time and one at a time.)
From Sony media converter DVMC-DA2 to Macbook pro:
-Firewire 400w/ firewire 800
FCP 7 settings:
-DV-NTSC easy setup
-Device control preset: We've tried Non controllable device, Firewire NTSC, Sony RS-422
Sony UVW 1800 betacam sp Settings:
-VTR setting(Local/Remote) is on Local
Sometimes we've also tried Keyspan adapter with keyspan driver. Keyspan serial assistant found Keyspan device but doesn't seem like I can have deck control on my mac...We used Rs422 cable to Mini din8 cable to connect Betacam deck and Keyspan.
But in FCP, it keep saying 'no communication'....sometimes it says 'not threaded'.
We've hooked Betacam Deck to Sony monitor to see if we can see pictures but we can't see anything or hear anything.....We can see just timecode. We have PVM-14N6U monitor and we used BNC cable to connect those.
Again, if anyone knows any small thing about this problem, please help me.
Thank you!!!!
P.S:
Even about cheap and good Betacam repair shop info is really helpful to me...!:)
Does anybody know any store which can offer service like sending a person to fix Betacam deck?
Thanks again!!

OK...this hits me:
We've hooked Betacam Deck to Sony monitor to see if we can see pictures but we can't see anything or hear anything.....We can see just timecode. We have PVM-14N6U monitor and we used BNC cable to connect those.
You connect the deck to a monitor and don't see or hear anything. OK...is the deck WORKING? Perhaps you can't capture anything because you aren't getting a signal from the deck. The deck will have 2 possible outputs....BNC that's a COMPOSITE signal (meaning SD video, a complete, but low end video signal), and three separate ones known as COMPOSITE...R-Y, B-Y and G-Y. Try both of those on the monitor. There's also one called SUPER. This is a COMPOSITE signal that also displays timecode. If you can see timecode on the monitor, that means you are plugged into this. BUT, if you see timecode and no video image...that means that the tape is bad, or the video heads are bad....because you are getting a video signal from the deck, but no image from the tape.
So we aren't even talking about the Sony converter...right now just trying to get a good signal...and you can't even do that, right? Might need to try another deck.

Trouble capturing just audio from beta tapes

Hello, I am trying to capture some audio-only beta tapes and having trouble. The deck is all hooked up correctly (deck to IO box to mac), and I followed the manual instructions on how to create an audio only capture setting. When I go to capture the audio, I can hear the audio playing and it says "now capturing", but when it stops I get an error saying "Final cut was unable to read the movie file just captured." Is anyone familiar with this kind of problem? Let me know if you need anymore information about my settings (unfortunately I am relatively new to final cut).
Thanks,
Mike

Try this (no guarantees but it used to work): Go into your scratch disk settings and enable "capture video and audio to separate files." Wasn't consistently a problem, but when it was, this solved it. But I used to get the error when tried to initiate the audio only capture. Be sure and turn this off before you capture video and audio.
Also, what happens if you try and capture video and audio of the same section? You can always just export the audio and then delete the capture.

Better to clean install Mountain Lion?

I have been running OS X 10.5.8 for quite some time now. Lately, I have not been able to save files from Pages or MS word (both programmes freeze) and this soon progressed in not being able to open Pages at all. I have tried everything that I could find on this and other forums (reinstalling iWork; Verifying / Maintenance using Disk Utility and Onyx; Removing .plist files; Checking fonts and emtpying cache). The only thing that seems to work is disconnecting from the internet. Maybe my companies firewall has something to do with this (though my colleagues with newer operating systems are fine). Problems started when I installed the latest version of Adobe Reader (I suspect; removing it did not work).
It seems that I should upgrade my outdated operating system. However, since the easy way to get Mountain Lion is an update I am somewhat afraid that my problems will persist and I am wondering whether I should try a clean install.
Any advice?
(Other ways to solve my freezing problem are also most welcome)

First, check OS X Mountain Lion requirements to be sure you hardware meets the minimum.
My personal opinion is a clean install (fresh install of OS, reinstall apps, restore data) is a good thing to do with a new OS. Others here will disagree and that's fine. I personally feel a clean OS install and reinstall of apps may fix issues that have lingered for awhile. It's also a good opportunity to review apps and only install those you need or use frequently.
Ultimately, it's your choice.

Logging old VHS/Beta tapes to FCP. Best route for picture quality?

Logging old broadcasts recorded on VHS. Most look very good for the time from, some have slight "ghosting" and other carious imperfections. I am using one of the best VCRs and Beta Machines ever made in Sony Super VHS and Super Betas. Both have S-Video outputs. Logging with Formac Studio and I also have a Canopus ADVC-100. Shall I go this route because the picture quality won't get any better? Or any other suggestions? Thanks.

I have an AJA IO, which is an older capture device, and have done quite a few jobs like you are describing. The IO (or another high-quality capture device) allows you to input S-VHS, or another analog signal, such as YUV component video, which many beta decks have, and capture the material to an uncompressed 8- or 10-bit QT, thereby preserving the maximum quality possible. Converting to DV compresses the footage, which can't be undone later down the pipeline, so if you are planning to output to another compressed format, such as MPEG-2 for DVD, you will compress it yet again and lose even more quality. I guess it all depends on the deliverables you need.
-van

Can I capture Beta tape and have its timecode appear in my capture file?

I have a BlackMagic multibridge eclipse running with FCP Studio3 on a MacPro. I’m capturing BetaSP footage from a Sony Digibeta Deck via SDI and deck control via RS-422 through my Elcipse.
My client wants matching timecode btween the source tape and my resulting capture on Final Cut. Is this possible? I hear there is timecode in the SDI signal that I am capturing from the Sony deck, but I don’t think I’m getting that timecode transferred to my capture at the same time.
How could this be accomplished? Would I need additional software or hardware to accomplish this?
My need is urgent.
Thanks,
Steve

The timecode is being captured. Open the clip in the VIEWER...note the timecode at the top...it will match exactly what is on the tape. If this wasn't possible, FCP would be a HORRIBLE NLE and not used for broadcast TV editing at all. But it seems you captured correctly (RS-422, SDI)...so the file you captured will match the tape.
It's easy to check and compare.

[solved] ¿is better update or clean install GNOME 3?

For users GNOME 2 that wants change to GNOME 3, ¿is better a clean install or update?
In the Arch Wiki doesn't describe any difference about this, however, I want be sure.
Thanks!
Last edited by davirrirri (2011-05-07 23:59:56)

Re-installing is pain.. Especially if you have spent week/months tweaking your system too make it perfect just the way you want it.. You can probably back up the home directory and get back some of your configuration.. But re-installing all the applications you need again will be a pain..
Especially with Arch Linux and it's KISS principles, you HAVE to re-install every single application after you re-install the system.. It's not like Ubuntu or Fedora where you get some stock applications ready to use.. Don't do it..
As siriusb pointed out above, re-installing is the microsoft way.. With Arch (or in general with Linux), you can fix just about any situation with a little effort (sometimes even no effort).. Have a little patience, try figuring out what went wrong.. Post your questions in forums..
It is a LOT easier to fix your system (with help from people in the community/forums) than to re-install..
You would probably benefit from reading this: http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Imported Tape Broken into Too Many Clips

I tape my movies with a Sony Digital 8 camera, model DCR-TRV103, and import them to my MacBook Pro, using iMovie HD 6. This has been working very well. But one recent event I taped, upon importing, started breaking a long clip from the tape into very many short clips in iMovie, most only a few seconds long, with some just a fraction of a second in length. When the number of clips in iMove exceeded 100, I stopped the importing, even though the tape was less than half way through. I have not had this problem either before or after this one particular tape.
The event I taped was a ride on a tourist railroad, so I was bouncing around a lot. Maybe this threw some kind of errors into the tape? I'm grasping at straws here. Viewing the tape, as it imported into iMovie, it looks just fine, with no irregularities apparent, at the same time that dozens of clips are being populated.
I shot another movie after this one, and had no problems importing it into iMovie. But during this taping, the camera was stationary. Importing this one gave only two clips for an entire 55 minute tape.
Any ideas?

I have this problem too. I was able to make the situation a little better by cleaning the video heads with a cleaning tape, but the problem still persists. Now, I am having to work around this problem by turning off the option to "start new clip @ scene break" in the import preferences. I then set the maximum clip length to 1 minute. Then I get a series of 1 minute clips that I can then break into scenes in iMovie. Not an optimal situation.

How many reuses on DV tapes?

How many times can I re-record on the same DV tape with my camcorder without losing video quality?

Rather than considering the number of times you can use a tape versus video quality, you should be thinking about the heads in your DV camcorder, for the quality of your video is more directly related to the condition of the recording head.
Using a tape more than once is generally not a good idea. With each use, microscopic pieces of the tape formulation will rub off onto the heads. Using a tape more than once will result in greater numbers of particles being shed as the tape wears, thus clogging the head to the point where video quality will decline and the cam heads will need a tape cleaner passed over it more frequently.
Head cleaning tapes themselves are way more abrasive than a tape, so minimizing the need to use the cleaning tape should be a priority for long head life.
I will use a tape twice, once for original footage and again if I wish to archive a finished movie back to tape. I won't reuse a tape for more original footage. I also recommend buying quality tape online, as you can get better deals buying in bulk quantities. Don't buy cheap tape and don't buy different brands of tape. Not only can it clog your heads faster, but you will suffer drop outs which can really screw up your movie.

Analysis of DV vs. Component Beta-SP on 10-bit timeline

Alright, this may not be the most scentific experiment, but last week I started using a Blackmagic decklink extreme PCIe card with a new G5 dual 2G and FCP5. Importing Beta-SP. Had been accustomed to bumping Beta-SP to DV and working completely within DV 8-bit for finishing. The 10-bit functionality is truly exciting.
Anyway, as a test, I dubbed a length of Beta tape to DV via S-video. Then imported it to FCP va DV codec. Then dig'd the same piece of tape to Decklink as a Beta-SP component signal, 8-bit blackmagic codec. Considered 10-bit capture test, but from everything I've read, Beta-SP maxes out at 8-bit.
Put both piece of vido on 10-bit timeline and color-corrected both to closely resemble one another. Monitoring on a 13" Panasonic monitor out of Decklink card (composite out).
Judgement: the image (an interview) looks no better from the Beta-SP capture. If anything, DV looks "better". I can't say why. It's very strange. Must have something to do with monitoring in composite "filtration".
Thoughts?

Beta SP>via S video to DV = compression
BetaSP>component out to 8 or 10 bit uncompressed = uncompressed video
I suggest that if you have DV footage you should use a DV sequence setting
If you can load component, use a sequence that matches your compression setting. 8bit load = 8 bit seq...10 bit load = 10 bit seq. If not you will be rendering all the time for no real benefit.
With a 13" monitor it would be hard to tell the difference.
Final notes....Put your s cables away and forget that they even exist.
Load dv footage via firewire..betaSP via component
Purchase a larger broadcast monitor

Can FCP directly output to Beta Cam? if not what is the best output result?

I wonder which way is the best result to output the video to beta tape for TV broadcasting. I used firewire to DV but once the TV station dup to beta, the picture gettin worst.

Thinking of CBD as hockey director...
"I'll take some of that! More of this! And less of those!
"I want them now! I want it yesterday! And stay awake because the requirements will change tomorrow!"
On a more serious note...
I searched around for a beta sp deck that takes fire wire in and could not find one.
It strikes me that if you (Cantonpro) are already using an iMac you are either sharing the firewire bus, or placing media on your system drive. As noted, neither of these situation are recommended.
However, if you are on the system drive, then an AJA IO might be a possibility, but almost $2000 plus deck rental seems a bit steep, especially since the capabilities of the AJA would be limited by the iMac. Maybe a higher end canopus converter like this one,
http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC500/index.php
but you are still talking almost $1500 plus deck rental. This solution is a bit more appropriate if you plan on staying with the iMac.
There are less expensive options that rely on composite video, but then you may as well have the station do the conversion.
Maybe you should contact a local dub house and see what they have to say, or find out if anyone near you has this equipment already.
Or, if your work is generating profit, and your business would benefit from the higher quality on-air, start to upgrade your hardware so you will see greater returns in the future.
Tom

How Can I Clean up Imported Bitmap Images

Hi, I am using Flash 5. I have imported a sequence of .png images and they are looking pretty rough and bitmapped so I wanted to clean them up.
1. Do I have to select each frame after import and adjust the bitmap settings for each image or can I doo this somewhere so it affects al images?
2. I can’t find the settings for cleaning up the bitmap images. I thought they would be in the “Properties” panel?
3. Is there a way to fix the rasterization or clean up an imported .swf or is it better to clean up the sequence before saving as an .swf?

Ned Murphy wrote:
Ideally you should have images cleaned up/ properly sized / optimized before you import them into Flash. Once they are in Flash, one thing you can do that can help how the image displays, especially if you manipulate its size while in Flash, is to set the image to allow smoothing. This can be set using code or can be manually applied to the image in the library by right clicking it, selecting Properties, and checking the option to Allow Smoothing.
Thanks Ned,
Wow, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. A huge improvement in the look of the gradients.

Insert Edit to Tape Error

Having a problem with the insert function of edit to tape. I lay a program off to beta tape using the Edit to tape mode. Of course, I'll find a mistake in the program and try to insert a correction. Sometimes it works fine. Other times I get the following error code:
"The deck may be unable to perform the edit since the duration is only 1 frame."
The video I'm trying to insert certainly doesn't have a duration of 1 frame. The edit to tape window has an "In" marked, but no out so there is no duration in that window either. No amount of restarting the program, computer, deck or AJA will correct this.
What in world is going on, and how do I fix it?
G5 Mac OS X (10.3.5)

FCP Rescue "trashes" your existing preferences. It also can save your preferences when you know them to be in an uncorrupted state, so the next time you have any problems, you can restore your backup preferences as opposed to trashing them.
Repairing preferences is an activity performed by /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.app and should be done on a regular basis... Crank up that program and it should be pretty self explanatory.
Patrick

Beta Tape Cleaner

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for