High-quality VHS/S-VHS dub to Betacam

The basic strategy will be to play the tape in VTR-C, and take the YUV output of the Microtime time-base corrector (TBC) directly into the Betacam recorder.

Set up the Betacam recorder (VTR-R) for YUV recording:

• Insert source tape into VTR-C, set CONTROL switch to LOCAL.
• Insert blank tape into VTR-R, set to LOCAL mode, press REWIND.
• Route VTR-C audio to the 1-2 bus, set blue slider to 0dB.
• Route VTR-R audio to the MIX bus, set blue slider to 0dB.
• Ensure VTR-C TBC input select is in DUB (middle) setting, and Y/C switch is in HIGH setting.
• Play the tape, adjusting the processing amplifier controls on VTR-C for proper chroma phase, chroma gain, etc.
• Experiment with video noise-reduction settings. Typically best results are obtained with NR switch on TBC set to "LOW", and Y-DNR and C-DNR switches (on swing-out door) set to OFF.
• Adjust audio level using blue VTR-C slider. Experiment with the "AUDIO OUT SELECT" switch (on swing-out door on lower right corner of VTR-C); if the tape has Hi-Fi audio use the Hi-Fi setting, otherwise use the NORM setting.
• Set VTR-R timecode generator (under lid) to PRESET.
• Zero timecode: press HOLD, RESET, SET on VTR-R.
• Move VTR-R INPUT_SELECT to "Y-R,B" setting.
• Select "VTR-C" on grey Extron switcher.
• Rewind source tape in VTR-C.
• Press REC and PLAY on VTR-R.
• Any time after timecode 00:00:30;00 (thirty seconds) start VTR-C playback.
• Be certain to record at least 10 seconds of extra video beyond the end of the VHS tape, to permit VTR "post-roll" when editing. It doesn't matter what the image is, only that it's there, along with valid timecode.
• Press STOP on VTR-R
• Press EJECT on VTR-R
• Push in the red write-protect tab on the bottom of your tape.
• Label your tape!
• Return VTR-R INPUT_SELECT to "COMPOSITE" setting.
• Return timecode generator switch to "REGEN" setting (under lid).
• Return grey Extron switcher to "A60".
• Rewind and eject VHS tape.
• Relax.