I don't know where exactly you live, but most cities of any size have small companies that convert tapes and movies to DVDs all the time, and some of them can do some cleanup of the image so that it looks better on the DVD. You can find them by looking in the Yellow Pages of the phone book, or online if you want to send it off. Look under headings like "videotape" or "videotape conversion" or "audiovisual services" and the like. However, you may have a special problem with that visual noise, and it may or may not be able to be removed. I hate to tell you this, but, if that sound track is the source of the image degradation, it may have permanently corrupted the visual recording, and it may not be able to be restored to a clear picture. Two last thoughts... First, sometimes the type of lines you describe are actually just a tape tracking error, and can be made to disappear by adjusting the tracking control on the VCR. Have you tried that? Second, do you have access to the old film? It might be better to start with that and have it converted directly to DVD.

Saw you other thread and just came here to read your OP. I haven't read all the replies, but the best options for a DIY jumpstart in my book area 1) get some help -- friends, family or paid help, to get you over a hurdle and feeling like progress is being made. I'm sure it's been pointed out that you can hire demo help cheap or might find a taker for the old cabinets who will take them out as the cost of getting them or even pay something to get the cabinets, just less for having to remove them. Maybe you can make a little money and some progress at the same time -- or at least get someone else to remove the cabinets while you finish your wiring (which would cost a lot more to hire out). Clearing the slate and getting started on progress you can see should really help with motivation. 2) Take a break. Get out of the house and go do something else. At a minimum, get out in the yard. Go to a park, visit some friends, Do something you enjoy and haven't done while you've been spending those hours doing things that aren't showing yet. I would not move in new appliances -- the chances for things getting damaged and making you feel worse are too great - at least in my world. Try not to log hours if it is making you more tired or frustrated. It is a huge job, especially if you have a day job, family and other commitments. Remind yourself it isn't a race, but you are saving money and adding value with everything you do. You are doing things that most of us who pay others to do the work don't do -- like that audio wiring. You are going to have more than average when you are done, but t is going to take more than average to get there. Realize there will be baby steps and some that seem non-existent -- like your wiring, but others will be huge leaps. Most of those come later. BIG improvement already with removing the dropped ceiling and lighting already. Look up and see how good the rest will look. You're doing great things. In the meantime, you can borrow my mantra -- Patience and Perseverance And if a bet will help -- I have a house full of my own stuff that has gotten out of kilter from lack of time, stuff from my mom's memory care apartment, stuff from my dad's apartment and stuff from their house together before health issues separated them as well as the last details of my kitchen undone, a master bath with bare walls (no paper, no paint), a tub that leaks, cabinets I hate and a shower I can't wait to replace but all put off while I dealt with my parents the last couple of years. We just had the memorial service Tuesday and I'm catching my breath and dealing with a graduating high school senior. I have to finish clearing my dad's apartment this weekend and then i can START to work on sorting and getting my house back this summer. I bet you will finish your kitchen before I finish these projectsr. Winner buys the other dinner. (Maybe I should just send you a gift card now -- LOL). It only looks easy on TV. Hang in there.

The better answer would be a monitor could work. Not all monitors would work. Most have a 15 pin video connector. You'd need a monitor with a/v inputs AND a/v outputs from the satellite. There are some monitors that have RF inputs, but I'm assuming you're referring to computer monitors rather than video monitors. Possible, but not common. Then there's the issue of audio which will vary by the monitor. So it'll depend on a lot of different variables and there's no one answer. Your simplest and cheapest solution is a cheap tv. If you get one with a stereo headphone jack you could connect some computer speakers (or any speakers for that matter) that would give pretty decent audio. I have a 13" tv in my kitchen and the sound on it is great. I think I paid $99 for it about 10 years ago.

Apparently my cleaning routine is to start one thing, remember I should do something else and go off and do that. I've cleaned up my bathroom somewhat, but really should clean the toilet, not that I think the plumber guy is going to inspect it but it does need to be cleaned but first had to make some soup, clean up dog droppings out back, then saw some weeds including a whole area of wintercreeper. I pulled some out but that will be an all year thing trying to get rid of it all, possibly years. So, then took the trash down to the road for pick up tomorrow. Got the weedeater out and weeded some in the side garden, taking a break now. But in between I have swept the house, cleaned the dog slobber/mud off the kitchen glass doors, picked up all my shoes that ended up under my desk and put them in the closet, put away the space heater for good (I hope), wiped down the table, counter, stove, oven hood and picked up some trash that had blown in my yard. I'll finish weeding the side garden so they HVAC guy can get to both units. It's Spring maintenance time. After that I'm done for the day...oh, the toilet cleaning too. I had a Wal-Mart order being delivered anytime now too because I forgot a few items and they didn't have my Stok earlier in the week.