Hi @johnebaker

Thank you for your reply. I checked the article and can't really see the "Video Standard" as an option.

However, I checked the "Hardware & drivers" section, where I changed the Display and the Format to NTSC_M. Even though it still doesn't work and the image continues to be in black and white.

My issue is very similar to the one on this post: https://www.magix.info/us/forum/importing-ntsc-vhs-on-pal-system--1235391/#ca1503186

The difference is that I can't see the "Video Standard" option.

It seems to be similar to this issue as well: https://www.magix.info/us/forum/color-problems--1245689/#ca1544961

Is there any other option that I can try?

Thank you.

Bruno

Hi @johnebaker,

Do you have any idea on how I can solve the issue? Your help is much appreciated.

Thank you.

Bruno

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi

In the video import dialog do you see and Advanced view option like this?

If not can you post a screenshot of what you do see and also the version number of the program as found under Help, About.

John EB

Hi @johnebaker,

Yes, I can see the Advanced View option, and below are some of the screenshots I took:

As you can see, the image is in black and white, even when I select NTSC. I tried the VCR on a TV and then the image is in color. The issue is with the Magix program. The audio is fine.

I also played a PAL video and it worked well with Magix. Although my VCR is European, it has NTSC playback on PAL TV.

The version number of the Magix program I have is 6.0.1.10 (UDP3).

Thank you for your help.

Bruno

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi

. . . . Although my VCR is European, it has NTSC playback on PAL TV . . . . .

What is the make/model of the VCR.

How is the VCR connected to the TV ie which type of cables?

Does the VCR convert the NTSC signal to PAL or is the TV doing this?

John EB

Hi again @johnebaker

The VCR is Daewoo sv-831. On its right bottom side, it's actually written "NTSC playback on PAL TV", as you can see on the picture below:

As a test to understand if the problem was with the VCR or not, I connected it to the TV (Sony Bravia 32” - KDL-32V4200) with the adapter that came with Magix: the RCA side (white, yellow and red) was connected to the TV. The SCART part was connected to the VCR with OUT selected, the same way it should be used with the computer. The image was fine, as you can see below:

I believe the VCR converts the NTSC signal to PAL.

After that, I just connected the RCA cables to the Magix adapter (the black one) with my laptop, but the image there continued to be in black and white.

Can you please help?

Thank you.

Bruno

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi Bruno

. . . . NTSC playback on PAL TV . . . .

I think the issue is with the VCR conversion of NTSC signal to PAL - it is mixing the 2 TV standards PAL and NTSC in that it the colour information (Chroma) is encoded as a NTSC signal, however it is using the PAL carrier frequency - this is called NTSC 4.43, and is not compatible with the USB capture device, nearly all TVs can handle a NTSC 4.43 video signal.

If there is a switch or setting in the VCR that allows you to change the NTSC output format to standard NTSC (M) then try this.

I f there is no switch or setting then I am afraid there is no way to record the NTSC tapes without using a true NTSC VCR, which operates on 230V - they may not exist anymore as they were mainly 110V.

John EB

Hi @johnebaker

Thank you for the information.

I will try once again, but am afraid it won't work.

One thing I can't understand is:

Some years ago, I was using the old Magix converter (the red one), which I still have. Although I was using another computer (instead of a laptop, it was an old computer tower), the VCR was the same, and it worked fine.

So, my main question is: if the program is now updated and more advanced, it should work, right? What has changed?

On the other hand, if possible, is there a way for me to still use/install the old Magix program? It's version 4.0, but I don't have a cd reader on my laptop.

Thanks.

Bruno

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi

. . . .  the old Magix converter (the red one) . . . .

Try using the Red converter it may just work with the current program you have.

. . . . is there a way for me to still use/install the old Magix program? It's version 4.0 . . . .

What is your current version?

John EB

Hi again @johnebaker

Unfortunately, I tried all options and nothing seems to work. I connected the old adapter (red one) to my laptop, but the program (version number is 6.0.1.10 (UDP3) doesn't seem to recognize it. So, I had to keep using the new one (black) with no luck.

I feel very frustrated because, before, with the old version 4.0 and an old computer, it worked just fine. I had to buy the new version because I couldn't install the old one on my laptop, as it has no CD player and the old version doesn't work on Windows 10. However, I can't do what I was expecting.

If there's no solution for it besides buying an NTSC VCR (which now is almost impossible in Europe), is there a way for me to ask for a refund and return the product?

Thanks.

Bruno

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi.

What about buying a cheap external DVD recorder for the laptop?

Ray.

HI @CubeAce,

The issue is not this, but the fact that my VHS recordings are in black & white in Magix.

Thanks.

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi.

You said.

I couldn't install the old one on my laptop, as it has no CD player

I thought that may allow you to install the old version onto the laptop.

Ray.

I see @CubeAce

The thing is that I already bought the new version of Magix recently and I just wanted to digitalize my old VHS tapes.

I thought it would be easy and work the same way as when I bought the old version some years ago. But, even using the same VCR, my NTSC recordings show in black and white on my laptop, and I can't understand why. This wasn't an issue with the old Magix and my old tower computer (at that time, I was able to record them on DVD).

I had to buy the new version because my laptop has Windows 10, which doesn't work with the old Magix, as far as I understand. So, there would be no point in getting an external DVD reader to install the old program.

It would be great to understand why the NTSC playback in my VCR shows in black and white in the new program. I changed all the settings (program, project, display, etc.) to NTSC, but it doesn't work.

For all these reasons, I'm considering asking for a refund.

Thanks.

Bruno

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi Bruno.

My mistake. I thought the laptop was still running an earlier version of Windows.

If you need a refund try emailing sales@magix.net.

My own personal thoughts are that Windows 10 is permanently updating and evolving as Microsoft said it would and that this may mean drivers in future will have to be updated to keep up. GPU drivers seem to get updated constantly whereas usb video drivers for peripherals get much less attention. While you email magix it may be worthwhile asking them about their drivers for the video converter. There is also the small possibility that the convertor itself is not functioning correctly.

Ray.

@Bruno-Fernandes

Hi

Did you install the red converter drivers available here?

If not do so and test again.

If that does not work then there is nothing else you can do as your VCR is outputting a 'NTSC' signal that is not recognised by the converters.

John EB

@CubeAce and @johnebaker,

IT WORKED!!!!

I installed the driver for the red adapter and it's now working!!!! For some reason, the issue was with the new (black) adapter.

I'm so, so happy! And I do thank you both for all your time, support and patience!

I have now more than 50 hours of VHS recordings to digitalize :)

Once again, thank you very much.

Cheers and all the best!

Bruno