danko

I have bad overscan problems with my three VCRs. Although this is a DVD forum, can any of you recommend a VCR that corrects for Overscan? The problem is ruining many classic movies for me that are not available on DVD.
Many thanks.

stevevt

Are you sure the problem isn't with your TV?

danko

I don't have a way to correct the overscan on either. I need a replacement VCR anyway so if they make one that corrects overscan, I'd prefer to go that way.

On the other hand, what can you tell me about correcting overscan through the tv?

stevevt

I can tell you that I've never heard of, nor can I think of any reason for, a VCR having overscan.

Can I ask how you came to this conclusion, and how you came across the term "overscan"?


If you have a DVD player, you can buy or rent Video Essentials or Avia to see how much overscan your TV has. Fixing it would typically involve accessing the TV's service menu, if that's an available option, and should be done with extreme caution. What's the make and model on the TV?

danko

I knew that I was missing a large part of the videos because people's heads would disappear off of the top or the sides of the screen as they delivered dialogue. I researched the problem and hit on the concept of overscan (can't remember the website right now). I read more and learned that some DVD players have a way to zoom out to counteract the overscan.

I was (and am) unsure whether overscan is a function of the tv or the visual feeds to it (dvd player and vcr). Since some dvd players can zoom out, I reasoned that some VCRs could do the same.

The TV is a Phillips Magnavox as says "Smart Plus Series" (32 inches).

danko

Follow-up
The information above is for my living room television which has overscan but less than the two bedroom tvs, one of which is an old (10 years?) RCA and the other is a small Phillips Magnavox television that is 5-8 years old.

chipmac

All CRT TVs have some amount of overscan built in. It's be design but some manufacturers have too high of an amount. When 3% to 5% is normal some makes and models will have 10% to 15% and even have the amount vary for each side. Now you might have a TV with a high amount but you won't know without measuring with a test screen like the ones found on Avia or DVE DVDs. It could also be that the movie was shot this way. There have been a number of movies made lately that are framed in a way that cuts off the tops of peoples heads.

X

You want some overscan with a VCR as it has trash on the bottom couple percent of the picture. You don't see it on a TV but you sure do on a computer monitor which has no overscan.

I never heard of a VCR that could adjust its picture the way you want, but if it's as bad as you say I would think you'd see it on full frame DVDs as well. The adjustment for overscan should be on your TV (if you can get to it at all).

danko

I'm surmising that it's hopeless to find a VCR that allows for correction of excessive overscan.

Can anyone name some television brands that easily allow for correction of excessive overscan?

X

I got a flat screen Toshiba that has adjustments for that as well as anamorphic squeeze.

renaldow

A VCR isn't digital, so zoom and those types of features are relatively rare. Not saying you couldn't find one, just that you'd probably be paying much more than you'd care to.

Your TV probably has a hidden service menu where you can adjust the overscan. Do a google search on your make/model and service menu. You'll probably find the info you need. I wouldn't do it unless I had a video essentials or other callibration DVD though, otherwise you might change it too drastically. Like it was posted above, 3-5% is where you want it.

RocShemp

Which Toshiba do you have X? Can you also easily correct any colour decoder errors (if any) on it?

Sorry for somewhat hijacking the thread. As for the VCR query, danko, I've never heard of a VCR that could defeat overscan. Just do what renaldow reccomends.