convert VHS to DVD

[Claude Jones]

On Mon March 12 2007, Tim wrote:
> In a TV studio, we'd call such a device a "proc amp" (video processing
> amplifier).  Apart from allowing us to replace syncs, we can adjust
> various video signal levels at the same time.

Interesting difference in common-usage. Here on the East Coast of the U.S. a 
proc-amp is always used to refer to functions of some TBC's to do more than 
stabilize (time base) a video signal - these are  setup, video level, hue, 
and chroma controls that allow you to process the signal as well as stabilize 
it. There are TBCs that only do the basic function - I have one. But that 
function was to digitize an incoming video signal into a memory buffer, strip 
out the sync, generate a new stable sync pulse, and then release the video 
from the memory buffer in sync with that generated pulse. It is possible to 
get proc-amps here that won't replace the sync and therefore wouldn't work 
for defeating macrovision. I also have one of those - Radio Shack used to 
sell them. 

I have seen various video 'stabilizers' sold here in the U.S., usually 
advertised in video magazines, and also sold on eBay, that were designed to 
add stable sync to video "to improve picture viewing quality" - but, we all 
knew what they were really for - eventually, you started seeing disclaimers 
in the ads about not using them for illegal purposes. I have never used them 
so I can't speak to whether they were any good. 
-- 
Claude Jones
Brunswick, MD, USA