VHS to Digital Converter - Gefen Upscaler Review

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

I no longer recommend this device, as it is now almost impossible to find and personally I would just stick with the Yitrox.

[@meta460085]

Anybody looking at spending $250 on the Gefen should know that it has some significant flaws, the deinterlacing is not perfect, you will see some occasional combing artifiacts on any progressive output, because of this i recommend that you output in 480i and deinterlace in software. Also theres ghosting in the in-between frames (which best i can guess by using other scalers that allow you to choose between 2D and 3D comb filters) is caused by the always on 3D comb filter. A plus is that while its not documented anywhere the Gefen does seem to posses some time base corrector circuitry. I used the Gefen for years to digitize VHS and laserdiscs until deciding to use an old FireWire capture device by Canopus and FireWire devices in general will yield better results without the aforementioned issues.

[@shahabdmc7928]

Please make a video on how to get hi definition digital recordings from low resolution ( fuzzy picture) vhs tapes.

[@sang3Eta]

Would love to see sample videos, of not upscaled, and these two upscalers at max 4:3 resolution. Also wondering if panscan will also produce 4:3 unstretched in 1080p with black bars.

[@krystiankrysti1396]

yeh like 20 secs of raw footage with best quality settings

[@deaddycruel]

@@krystiankrysti1396this "test" footage is junk without any details. All is washed out or heavily denoised

[@JoyfulCat24]

I’m really happy to have found your channel! I have lots of video to transfer. One question, I also have audio reel to reel tapes of my family from the 1960’s. My uncle condensed them onto newer reel to reel for me in the 1980’s. Do you know of a way to digitize these?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Key, are you talking about a reel to reel, like an audio cassette tape? Do you have a player for it? and does it have an output jack or a headphone jack?

[@ericvannielsen]

Do you know the width of the tape(s)? Reel-to-reel tape typically comes in 1/4”, 1/2”, 1” & 2” widths. Most consumer tapes were 1/4”. I’d say it’s easier to convert audio than video, as a lot of PC’s have sound cards you can plug into. If you haven’t done it already, do you have a reel to reel machine to try digitizing from?

[@deaddycruel]

Simply connect your R2R device to high quality sound card and digitize it as 96kHz 24 bit file. What's the problem? it's easy

[@leonwoo2655]

Loved your review! What do you think of the Retrotink products? Also, any ideas about the state of 4K upscalers? I have a lot of Hi8 camcorder videos I’d like to view and ultimately capture.

[@yusufelmi1171]

Thank you fow a wonderful video. I have a punch of VHS and mini DV wich i want to digilize. what is the best option?? i have a gaming computer already and my budget is 500 usd.

[@jonpoeschek]

For simplicity of workflow I can see the appeal of using these HDMI converter devices. While a bit more complicated, I would be curious to see you compare these HDMI devices to using a workflow that saves an lossless file via a composite/svideo USB capture device, and deinterlace that lossless file using a high quality software deinterlacer like AviSynth+QTGMC.

[@MISSY4EVR]

The elgato you suggesting in last video does not connect to this upscaler 😢 how do you connect it. ??

[@paulgittelsohn384]

Nice video. I am surprised neither of these devices offers a 1440 x 1080 option which is the 4:3 aspect ratio version of 1920 x 1080 16:9. I digitize about 1500 videotapes a year and all the 4:3 tapes I convert to 1440x1080 mp4 files

[@radpopl]

I don't think SD upscaling is a good idea.

[@lammartland]

I've found this and your other review video that's referenced in this video really interesting and informative. Thank you! It has, however, left me wondering something. I'm in the UK and have a Panasonic DMR-EZ49vEBK that includes a HDMI Out and, when utilising that, the Panasonic applies its own 'upscaler' to whichever source you're using (VHS or DVD). So the machine itself is applying a 1080P 'up-conversion' (as Panasonic call it) because I have it connected to my PC via HDMI through an Elgato HD60 Pro card. My question is this - is the standard of 'up-scaled' 1080p image I am achieving via this method likely to compare with the Gefen (or even the Yitrox, for that matter)? ps here's the Panasonic market blurb on their 'up-conversion' functionality: 'Creating a HD image from a non-HD source requires as much information as possible about each pixel in the original image. In the up-conversion process, DIGA calculates eight pixels in the horizontal and eight pixels in the vertical direction at the same time using a high-speed algorithm. The information obtained in this process is used to create smooth, natural-looking, high-resolution 1080p images. By interpolating video data using proprietary algorithms, SD format data is up-converted to 1080 x 1920p HD format video data. This conversion to HD format increases the richness of the original data by approximately six fold, and produces the highest possible image quality when viewing content on a large-screen HDTV. Enjoy watching crisper and sharper video enabled by detailed reproduction of contents on DVD. Colour reproduction that is faithful to the original picture, produces colourful in details.'

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

I don’t know the specifics of your device, but yes devices do come with the upscalers already built I like yours. I would assume it is maintaining the proper aspect ratio, and if so then I don’t think there is much benefit to upscale it again

[@alfonsogonzalez8196]

Hi. First of all, congratulations on your content, it is clear and very useful. I just subscribed to your channel. I am in the need to transfer miniDV cassette tapes using firewire. Your video on that matter was perfect and the explanation of upscaling the analog signal, using RCA or S-Video was perfectly clear; but I have one question: Is it possible to upscale a digital video signal (FireWire) from a camcorder by hardware or software, similarly to what you showed with the Yitrox? I know there are digital scalers designed for old consoles, but should those ones work on this scenario? Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond. Best regards.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

So yes.. you could use something like the Yitrox to upscale your video, BUT, know that if you are transferring the video via firewire you are doing so digitally, meaning the copy you have using firewire is a 100% copy of the the actual video stored on the tape, So that is a good starting point. You could from there, utilize various software means to try and upscale your image.

[@alfonsogonzalez8196]

@@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld Thanks a lot. I will try it.

[@nopepper305]

This is a great video, I appreciate how detailed you did this video. How would the Gefen stack up against an xRGB Mini Framemeister? (If you were to convert the composite to RGB using a Composite S-Video to Component Video RGB Converter And RGB Sync SOG Adapter and the plug it in through the RGB of the Framemeister DS IN adapter?) What would render you with better picture quality?

[@pulyabacsi]

An awesome video again! Thanks! Quick question for the Gefen device: I bought a cheap but trusted upscaler which was available in my country. This SCART to HDMI upscaler upscales the video beautifully, however not only clips the top and bottom to fit the 16:9 ratio but also stretches the video a bit for some reason. Did you experience something like this with other upscalers? Can you set up the Gefen to not do that with the different scanning modes?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Your device might be converting the video to a specific resolution that is causing the clipping. With the Gefen, or the Yitrox device you can specify different output resolutions, and that gives you a bit more control over the video you will capture. Go check out my Upscaler video. I talk about the resolution issues a little. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6fcppqAqLF3ps0

[@user-yj2hu5cn4v]

Wonderful review and comparison. However, in your chart, the two most desirable resolutions for 4:3 seem to be missing from both units: 960x1280 (4:3) and 1440x1080 (4:3). At least I don't see them in the chart on screen or in the description. Did I miss them?

[@Galgomite]

I just discovered this video and noticed your question: While those resolutions would be nice to have, he does demonstrate that the devices at least show video in a 4:3 aspect ratio *within* a 16:9 video stream. I would expect that this maximizes compatibility with both monitors and capture devices. The extra black bars could be easily dealt with in post but they will not cost much in terms of compression efficiency to keep, either.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Guessing you get some massive files when you upscale to 4K! Is there much resource consumption on CPU/GPU through this process, or not really since the Upscaler is doing the heavy lifting? Also...I need to know how you got that b-roll shot around @6:30 with the rotating view while your hands are in the shot! hahaha scratching my head on that one! Love this video series, btw.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Large files are an excuse to spend money to get lots of storage ;)

[@krystiankrysti1396]

Hey, dont worry about 4k , theres hardware acceleration for 4k nowadays on cheapest phones so youre covered, its better to capture in highest quality and wait for tech to catch up so your cheapest devices can handle it, i have a lot of low quality captures just cause i wanted them to be playable on devices of the past but now i regret that, should at least keep 2 copies , one best quality and other one thats playable.The reason is the tapes can detoriate or get damaged whatever and you wont be able to recapture again.

[@willianaleman6114]

Thank you for the informative video on the Gefen upscaler. Which one of the 4:3 outputs resolution gives the proper aspect ratio without shrinking the image?

[@sang3Eta]

1600x1200 seemed to be the max 4:3 resolution. I'm interested if you can have 1920x1080 and have black bars in Panscan mode.

[@willianaleman6114]

@@sang3Eta The 1920 x 1080 I have stretches the image about 10%. Next, I’ll try Blackmagic SD to HD converter, which accordingly with the specs offer more aspect ratio control without stretching the image.

[@markjl261]

Just subscribed to your KZbin channel! Great video this is what I was trying to figure out how to do. I have a KZbin channel featuring videos for railroad enthusiasts also called railfans. I have hi 8 footage I am trying to load into my windows 8 computer and I would like to upscale the footage. I have more questions about how to do this, do you have a way I could contact you and ask more questions. Also what would you suggest to upload mini DVD tapes and can those be upscaled also. I am considering purchasing a newer computer to do this. Thank you for the awesome information and comparisons.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

To contact me, send me an e-mail. For Hi 8, I used a digital camera, with a Fire Wire card and dumped it that way. That transfers it in its native format. From there you could use software to upscale the image.

[@markjl261]

​@@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld thank you for your quick response. I'm not sure what your email is I can email you at. It use to be a lot easier to email on KZbin. I do have other questions about transferring old hi 8 tapes and mini DV tapes to the digital format using a desktop computer. I would like to change the original I believe 720 by 480p to HD 1920 by 1080p if possible. If I am able to do this would it cause any distortion in the picture. I want to put together a KZbin video documentary style by using my older hi 8 footage and recent video footage I recorded with my Sony ax53r HD 1920 by 1080 p footage. I use Cyberlink Power Director 13 to edit the videos I have on KZbin now on my 6 or 7 years old desktop computer. Would the Elgato transfer device you reviewed be useful to accomplish what I am trying to do? I appreciate the help, thank you.

[@MISSY4EVR]

I just purchased the yitrox but I have no picture and the hdmi says no signal

[@krystiankrysti1396]

Good content, when theres more ? Maybe compare old mid 2000s pcie high end cards tv tuners with some of the new devices

[@raysanders4781]

would love to see a video on AI enhancements

[@-xDarkxGhostx-]

The gefen is no longer available, do you know of any other scalers that might match this quality?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

No not off hand. The Yitrox is the next best one to my knowledge that I would recommend

[@alvinjharris5230]

Having trouble finding Gefen products in Ontario Canada any ideas

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

I am sorry, I am not familiar how amazon does international ordering. Is there no way to order it from the US amazon and have it shipped?

[@bestbass42]

So does the Gefen go straight from your video player and into your PC/laptop?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Good question. You go from the VCR or player with composite or s-video into the gefen device, then the gefen to either a TV with HDMI to just watch things, or into a HDMI capture device, like an Elgato HD60 or something like that. I explain it in this video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6fcppqAqLF3ps0

[@danfriends]

I bought the Gefen and am pleased with the much improved color and crispness but I do struggle with each scene needing me to tweak the settings in the Gefen. Kids playing in daylight for example then playing in the evening in port light for example require I stop, create files and combine. I am getting a lot of grey washed out hi8 svideo videos from the late 80’s even when I tweak the Gefen and OBS contrast all the way. Other videos from a Sharp Hi8 have a halo around the images or details like windows. What to set the resolution to is another issue. I had the Elegato but the sound was not good. I used the USB cheap capture devices and the resolution dropped. I then went to a Hauppage 1512 and bought a svideo cable and it gave me much better resolution and sound but still not the crisp and colorful videos I’ve seems others produce. The Gefen has been a good purchase. I’ve played with it for a week and am getting better. Far improved for sure. Camera stores in NY have the Gefen $100 less than Amazon. Thanks so much for the video. Certainly all of this is much better than most of the video conversion places I have spoken to that offer this service.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

All great infor thank you for sharing

[@badreality2]

I would appreciate if you would do a follow-up to this video, with middle range upscalers, and how they compare to the best upscaler in this video. RetroTink 2x-Pro: $140 OSSC: $200 RetroTink 5X-Pro: $325

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

So I could never get my hands on the RetroTink devices, they were always sold out. I did test the OSSC and found it was not for converting VHS, and personally did not do a good job of it, its purpose was to handle the special signals for gaming systems, which I tested and it worked great, but for a simple analog VHS conversion, the YITROX AV Svideo HDMI to HDMI was the best choice for the price but I have had people tell me it is hard for them to find.. I will do some research and see if I can find some more current replacements for that specific model.

[@badreality2]

@@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld RetroTink has them in stock now, on their website. My Life in Gaming has a review video of the RetroTink 5× Pro, and at 27 minutes in, they try using its triple-buffer mode for recording janky VHS'. Its video sync locks perfectly at the three VHS tapes Coury tests. If I were you, I would still buy the 5× Pro, if I did not already have one. Also, buy the $30 remote control. On a side note, the RetroTink 4k will be released soon. I am not sure if the upcoming $1,000 RetroTink 4K will be worth it, except for the most professional, and high-end use, until its $1,000 comes down. It is $1,000, because chip prices have gone up. Digital Foundry has released the first video I have seen, discussing the features of the upcoming RetroTink 4K. One of its selling points, will be VGA to HDMI nearest neighbor pixel conversion, in real-time.

[@badreality2]

@@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld Composite video plugs into the green RCA port, on the RetroTink 5× Pro. It is not immediately obvious where to plug in a composite RCA cable.

[@pcango8694]

My plan is to use a VHS player with S-Video out into the Gefen's S-Video in. I want to use an external capture device - Which one do you recommend with a budget around $150-300 ?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

I am partial to the Elgato products.. I have not been disappointed in any of their products I have purchased so far, and to be completely honest, because I started with Elgato, I never looked any further.. I think the 1080 versions are being replaced with the Elgato 4k versions if you are looking.. Let me know what you ended up getting.

[@sang3Eta]

BEWARE they sell a very similar looking product that goes from HDMI to composite so be careful what you order. In the UK this is the only one Amazon offers!

[@KerrySheridan-y1j]

Mr. MiddleSiggy, might you be able to speak to me about this conversion information? I do this for a living and would like to speak to you...if you would.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Send me an email

[@tg4752]

I confirmed what xDarkxGhostX is reporting directly with Gefen the device referenced has been discontinued and there is no replacement coming from GEFEN... Here is their reply: This is no longer available and there is no direct replacement option. Kind Regards, Dan Murphy So what is still available and is a PROVEN scaler from Composite/S VHS to HDMI without issues?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

I think I saw a Yitrox version with the Composite/S it comes and goes on Amazon. But I think the features are similar to the Yitrox I used

[@tobyhines7587]

2nd. video watched ordered Yitrox and power supply today just to play around with. Do not know the condiction of My old VHS tapes so not willing to speed more $$$. Subed.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Hope everything worked for you Toby!

[@protasov-by]

Hello do u still own this device? I wonder what chip is inside looking to 12 bit capable processing I discover adv7403 chip that do all analog to digital in 4:4:4 12 bit Rgb output but it’s used seems in projectors and hdd video recorders so dunno if there is some same powerful upscalers exist, the idea is to obtain not so upscaled image, but prevent it from shrink analog signal (s-video) to 8 bit in ADC part of chip. Also best option to preserve that kind of signal over hdmi is black magic quad hdmi capture card it capable at least 10 bit 4:4:4 rgb. 😅 also it seems this device do deinterlacing? How it done motion adaptive 50/60i to 50/60i or combing (bob/weave) 50/60i to 25/30p?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

I do not. Sold it a while back as I no longer needed it. Sorry

[@kotgc7987]

I'm confused, 1: do I even need an Upscaler when digitising VHS? 2: can I 'upscale' the digital version at a later time?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

You don't technically need the upscaler, but I have found in my testing the upscaler did a good job of de-interlacing the video in real time, and also did a good job of getting me a higher resolution with minimal distortion. You can always use software hardware at a later time to enhance / change / fix things, but if you are going through the effort to conver the analog to digital videos I figured I would do the conversion all at once, then I can play with the digital files later. Thanks for watching

[@raysanders4781]

is the color resolution not obtainable with software?

[@zewdyzepeda6802]

Can I just connect this to the vcr and tv and be able to watch my home videos??

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Yes you can do that

[@EpicBench]

no new videos anymore?

[@deaddycruel]

Don't you understand that the difference is just incorrect brightness settings?

[@dcalsbeek5831]

the YITROX is unavailable, and no info on when it will be again. 6/2/2024

[@Waloshinblog]

How are these compared to Black Magic Teranex?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Sorry don’t know that answer never tried them

[@rinos8143]

I'm new to this all, but should i be using a vhs player with an inbuilt TBC

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Rino I have heard many folks suggest using a TBC. I don’t personally have one, and I went with what I had. I think it really comes down to how much you want to spend? How perfect does it need to be? And what will make you happy. Yes using a TBC will allow you to correct the picture better. But for me right now I just don’t know if that was my goal. Good enough was great in my case. I’m going for average Joe, not professional. Thank you for watching, keep the feedback coming, and good luck on your project. I hope you find some great memories. Thank you!

[@rinos8143]

@MiddleSiggy's Homestead thankyou, great channel have subscribed, just gettig started myself.

[@mxlezclxpz8935]

Good video

[@haroldwenner9332]

Does using an upscaler eliminate the need to use a converter?

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Harold, what do you mean by a converter? The Upscaler win a way is a converter from an analog signal to a digital one of higher resolution, you then still need to capture the video with some other device.

[@007LaBond]

Hello. First of all, thank you for producing these videos as so many of us need them. I know it's a lot of work. Based on many of the videos I've watched from you, I was also fascinated and a little confused about the Gefen Upscaler. It's my understanding that the purpose of this Upscaler is having the ability to convert the footage to a higher resolution and aspect ratio of your choosing that the Gefen offers, correct? It wasn't entirely clear to me that the Gefen didn't have a capture device in there. The reason being is what good is the Gefen if it's then limited by the level of resolution and aspect ratio options of the capture device? I imagine it's great if you merely want to show it on your tv. I hope it makes sense that my question revolves more around the purpose of the digitization process. If my improvements through the Gefen will be devalued by the capture device, then I don't think it's the right product for my purposes. Please forgive me for my head is spinning.@@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld

[@prebenhsahl]

There is a big problem with Gefen upscaler. It has not been produced for 5 years and is impossible to get!!!!

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Yes, I now think the Yitrox is the way to go

[@goodev88]

It's currently $308.72

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

Than you for the update..

[@Sacpilot531]

The Yitrox has terrible reviews and would only provide the image in black and white when I tried it.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

You had to have a defective one, it has worked great for me, and many others. Sorry it did not work for you.. I would give it another try.

[@tg4752]

I am in need of your advice and guidance. I have VHS and VHS-C tapes along with DVDs I want to convert to digital files and store them on a WD external hard drive. I have a brand new PC, 4 head S-VHS Stereo VCR, and good DVD players. My goal is to capture the VHS, VHS-C, and DVDs in the highest quality digital file possible. I also do not want to stretch or alter the results so that skinny people look fat/chubby or tall people look short/crushed down. I want the image to be as true to the original aspects as possible. Most importantly, I want the experience to be as simple as possible. So many videos on this subject are all about approaching it from a budget or doing it as cheap as possible. Anything would be cheaper than having a professional service complete the conversion. I am also a believer in you get what you pay for. I am all about the quality of the end result and keeping the job as easy and simplistic as possible. I am leaning towards an Elgato Capture device. Is there an advantage to an internal capture card over and external capture card? The GEFEN UPSCALER has been discontinued... is there another one you would recommend on the same quality level as the GEFEN? What software do I need for my purposes that will achieve the results I seek? I see most of your videos are almost over a year old. I am sure you have learned more since posting these videos from experience and from feedback received here. There is a possibility that better and newer hardware/software options are available. Any advice from you or anyone that reads this would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

[@MiddleSiggysDigitalWorld]

So I would still today go with the Yitrox upscaler, you have to watch for it to show up in Amazon as it disappears at times. Then I really like then Elgato brand for capture cards. They have external versions so look at them, most of the HD60 which are 1080 are now being replaced with the 4K stuff. And I use OBS Studio for the software to capture as I can set up the screen resolution and more so the aspect ratio stays correct