Video Asylum

Posted by Some Guy on February 09, 2004 at 07:38:00

In Reply to: How can I maximize my VCR tape playback for playback through my projector? posted by centurymantra on February 08, 2004 at 10:10:32:

Your chances for having a pristine picture from VHS are pretty slim. VHS is capable of only 230 lines of resolution, which is less than 1/4 the resolution of DVD. Given the fact that you're probably going over a composite cable and that it's blowing this up to probably well over 6 ft. diagonally, then you probably have the root of it all there.

Just to show my math, DVD is 720x480 encoded or 640x480 on your TV in full frame... VHS is roughly 310x230 (if you have to give a horizontal resolution).

As for making it better, I doubt you'll have much luck without spending either a lot of money or a lot of time (or both!) You can always convert to VCD or DIVX and do some cleanup in the process on the PC, but the biggest advantage here is that you'd be able to drop the composite connection. The other problems will remain, namely to original resolution of the VHS medium. The other possibility is using a time base corrector, but that probably won't do much for the image unless you buy a fairly expensive one with some more advanced settings. Honestly, you might be better off restricting VHS playback to a CRT if you still have it... the lower resolution and size will make those tapes look a lot better that the projector. That's one of the reasons I'm hanging onto my 27".