Read the Readme

This may sound all too common but the basic full setup of the software side is all on the readme's it does not take more than an hour to read them all and setup the software its fairly copy-paste.

For non-linux users we are now recommending Linux Mint on or with an 500-2TB SSD either SATA or NVME for users fammiller with windows only here is a simple install guide from a usability and documentation perspective is the same as Ubuntu with better stability and its intented as a fluid as possible windows user switch over environment

(If you have an DomesDayDuplicator you don't need to care about Linux past WSL2 or a Virtual Machine and 3-4 commands for the most part)

Linux/WS2 Basic Oprations Guide

A "directory" is simply a folder in the system.

cd To enter into an directory

cd .. To go back an directory

In WSL2 & most linux install use cases open an terminal and paste cd vhs-decode is the only non decode software command needed to remmber after setup as this enters into the directory rest is as simple as copy paste edit commands and drag and drop file handling.

Naming Your Captures

Its recommend to use the standerdised naming guide.

Quick Capture & Process Basics

DomesDayDuplicator "DdD" Setup

GUI is simple for the DdD it tells you how long it runs just to make sure it's in 10-bit packed mode.

Capture runtime limiting and capture time with storage space available is shown in the GUI application.

Linux Application

Windows Application

More Information / How To Aquire? / How to Fabricate & Flash?

Compressed data output file extension .ldf

Software Control Options:

40 MHz 16-bit Signed Scaled Output is .raw

40 MHz 10-bit Packed Unsigned Output is .lds (Recommended Mode To Use)

10 Mhz 10-bit Packed Unsigned (4:1) for CD/HIFI capture Output is .cds

Compress Capture Down

(replace with the name you wish to use with your media capture)

Run ld-compress <capturename>.lds in Linux/WSL2 with your .lds file in the vhs-decode directory.

CXADC (Stock 28mhz Card)

Note! Requires a hardware installation of Linux on a desktop or laptop with external PCIE abilities.

Follow CXADC & the CXADC Wiki and install the driver after physically installing the CX card.

Open the terminal inside the CXADC folder, and connect your input.

We recommend Linux Mint on or with an 500-2TB SSD either SATA or NVME for users familiar with windows only here is a simple install guide

Any standard decent office PC from the last 14 years should be powerful enough to capture, decoding will run on anything.

(Windows driver support will hopefully be implemented after GUI developmet is finished)

Run through the readme and install all everything.

timeout 10s cat /dev/cxadc0 |pv > output.raw

Compress Capture Down

(replace with name you wish to use with your media capture)

flac --best --sample-rate=48000 --sign=unsigned --channels=1 --endian=little --bps=8 % --ogg -f <capturename>.u8 -o <capturename>.vhs

./leveladj sets the gain level best to start the tape a few seconds in to set the gain then rewind and begin full capture.

In technicality, 16-bit unsigned scaled output is recommended over 8-bit as to make the most of the 10-bit ADC chip for initial captures, however for space-saving 20msps 8-bit is a treading standard on the CX cards and works just fine in current practice.

20 Mhz 8-bit - Stock Card

sudo echo 20 >/sys/module/cxadc/parameters/tenxfsc

sudo echo 0 >/sys/module/cxadc/parameters/tenbit

17.9 MHz 16-bit - Stock Card

sudo echo 2 >/sys/module/cxadc/parameters/tenxfsc

sudo echo 1 >/sys/module/cxadc/parameters/tenbit

Quick WSL2 Use

Stock install location in Windows File Explorer: \\wsl$\Ubuntu-20.04\home\your user name here\vhs-decode

Move data into the directory or capture it into the directory

Open your WSL2 terminal example Ubuntu 20.04

cd vhs-decode (Press Enter)

For DdD Use:

vhs-decode --debug -t 8 -tf VHS -p --recheck_phase YourTapeName.lds YourTapeName

Compress the .lds to FLAC with

ld-compress YourTapeName.lds

Ouput will be YourTapeName.ldf

For CXADC Use: (Edit based on your capture setup config)

vhs-decode --debug -t 8 -cxadc -tf VHS -p --recheck_phase YourTapeName6.u8 YourTapeName

Quickly Export to Video

gen_chroma_vid.sh YourTapeName

The resulting output is:

YourTapeName.mkv

Fine Adjustments

With VCRs assuming no major issues you have 2 main controls physical tape guides and digital tracking IC the tracking is normally manipulatable via a knob on a pro deck and channel up/down on prosumer deck front's, or via remote if you have the remote, however, if its physical guides not aligned you will need to adjust them until the tape plays within spec.

A CRT is generally recommended as you can view tapes directly without any need for any digital processing/stabilisation however this is a manual observation method and consumer CRTs with underscan modes are a recommended minimum as most consumer units have cropped edges/bottom head switch area of the video so Sony/JVC PVM/BVM style monitors with there horizontal/vertical shift and underscan modes are preferable, but any old later Sony Trinitron, for example, should work.

Reference Captures

Note!: With a 10-100uf capacitor in-line you should be able to capture RF and conventional normal baseband i.e CVBS output at the same time.

Having a conventual capture for reference is very useful to understand the state of a tape and possible errors like tracking, so a one-run capture is better than staring into a CRT/Monitor over and over as well, if you don't have an integrated TBC then you may want to acquire a Panasonic DMR-ES10 or ES15 to act as one on external link passthrough mode (if no remote press eject then external link up/down) you can have a complete setup for around 50USD or less.

When the term "tap point" is used think signal output connection point, a cable soldered at a test point or signal path point using a cable like RG178 or RG316 to a BNC or SMA connector, or simply a BNC hook probe.

The middle wire is signal and the outer wrapping wire is ground coax is much loved as it provides basic RF shielding and is not only cheep but universally available worldwide.

RF Tap points

On most VCRs you have these points next to each other or by the conventional video outputs if you so wish you only need video, but if you're going to modify your consumer/prosumer VCR its worth installing a couple more BNC or SMA pigtails to signal points and the common ground point.

Test points normally will be called the following:

RF Y, RF C, RF Y+C, PB, V RF, V ENV, ENV, ENVELOPE, VIDEO ENVE, VIDEO ENVELOPE - Video RF

RF-Out, A-RF, HIFI RF - Audio RF

Dont forget about Ground - There is normally always a common ground point nearby or ground shield that can be soldered to as a ground all RF needs a return path proper grounding matters!

Storage Solutions!

Allocate 500GB to 2TB of storage 100MB/s Write Speed Safe Minimum.

For affordable local storage:

WD (Western Digital) make EasyStores/Elements lines

Seagate makes Desktop/Backup lines

Great Drives, But Terrible Caddy USB Adapters!

It's highly recommended to not use the included adapter as these use a real-time encryption chip so if that board fails the drive is crippled this also means you can't just plug it into a standard computer or use any genetic adapter so we advise you to put the drive in a PC/NAS or use your own USB 3.0 adapter to prevent such issues.

There is a "shucking" community around these drives due to the low cost per gigabyte new 14TB+ units should be server-grade drives as some 8TB drives are now lower grade on the WD side

Cloud Services That are cost-effective per month

Google Workspace Business Standard (Using Shared Drives Only) *10USD/m

Backblase Personal Backup Plan *7USD/m

However, for testing and examples or issues you encounter feel free to store them on the Public Shared Drive please be sure to read and use the Submission Guidelines Naming System.

Creating Archives and Preservation

Currently, we only have M-Disk as a solid archive format i.e not affected by humidity/thermals/radiation and magnetic forces if stored in a crush-proof environment these disks will last like factory stamped non-dye disks decades if not 1000 years as it says on the box due to non-organic hard burned-in layers and modern adhesives and plastics.

Practically all modern DVD/BluRay reader/writer & players support this format if stored as normal video but for RF data it will only be readable with a reader on a PC/Mac.

Amazon US has a constant supply at a reasonable cost Link at 10.26USD per 100GB disk.

Refrance Diagrams

Note! open the image in another tab or download it to view full scale in case of viewing issues.