Intensity Shuttle Troubleshooting

Hello,

I recently purchased an Intensity Shuttle with a Thunderbolt connection in hopes of doing something like this video:

Workflow includes shooting in HD, sending to VCR, then back to computer to create an analog HD composite of sorts. Using a brand new MacBook Pro I've been able to send a signal to my VCR to record, but I'm having issues getting a good signal back into my computer. I keep getting a flickering image and can't seem to find an answer as to what is going on.

Here's an example of what I'm getting:

Any suggestions?

I try to understand your workflow: you say that shooting is done in HD, but you are sending it to VCR.
So is that a VHS tape recorder ?
- Then you would be recording in Standard Definition as that is by default VHS standard.

Is there a downconverted output straight from you camera?
Which connection you are using: composite / S-Video / YUV?

[Chris Pearse]

Hi,

I think this sounds like another customer's issue that I just replied to. I'll re-post the information I provided there.

It sounds like the problem you are seeing is down to the quality of the output of the VHS output. VHS, and certain other tape systems produce very unstable composite outputs. TVs and monitors do not typically mind this, but the Intensity Pro needs steady sync for it to capture correctly. A Timebase corrector (TBC) may help, but depending on the condition of the tape it might not always be perfect. Some VHS players may also have a TBC built in. I don't have any recommendations for a TBC, but others who have used them may have some suggestions.

Here is the original thread.