Video Capture

[sparky_t]

Hi all,

Does anyone have any idea what could be the problem with this:

Trying to capture video through a PixelView capture card, to create an avi file, which always stops at around 25 mins in?

My specs are: p4 2.8 proc, SATA HDD, 256 mg DDR, running windows 98. I'm trying to transfere some old VHS to DVD via PC but for some reason the capture always 'gives up' after 25 mins. The file size produced is only 400 mg - so I don't think it's that - is it 98? or is my Capture card too weak?

Any ideas would be great!

Thanks

Sparky

[mushroom]

Originally Posted by sparky_t

The file size produced is only 400 mg - so I don't think it's that - is it 98? or is my Capture card too weak?

Maybe both I had a like problem with a different card at 17min+ it produced a 4 gig file (98 limits 4 gig but can only move 2gig) also 98 has known memmory leaks increasing your ram may give you more time.

[sparky_t]

Thanks Mushroom, I'll give it a go!

[tcampione]

It certainly could be win98, but there are a couple of other things to try. First, check screen saver settings and your power management on hard disks. It is very possible that win98 sees no activity (keyboard/mouse) and shuts down your drives.

If those settings are ok, I'd try different capture software. I had lots of problems converting VHS to DVD, at pretty much every stage.

If you can go for an upgrade to WinXP, it comes with free MovieMaker 2. It's a very basic video editing package, but the DV-AVI capture works well.

If you're successful capturing, but get a 'noise' line at the bottom of your video, and if you are willing to spend extra time to get rid of it, let me know. I found a way to avoid the line.
/*tom*/

[ChristinaS]

If you have the possibility to direct the capture to Compressed AVI rather than just AVI that should result in much smaller captured files being produced.

Maybe there's a maximum capture file size defined somewhere in the software and you've reached it in 25 minutes.

Are you maybe using a setting somewhere that tells the program you're transferring a VHS-C tape? Those are 30 minute tapes usually, maybe it decides that's it and shuts down.

Or maybe you have an indexed tape and there's a separator after those 25 minutes and it's your VCR that stops sending data too.

What kind of connectors are you using? Are they the RCA type red, white and yellow or is it the Super VHS connector? They each may require special settings in the software.

Finally what program are you using for this transfer? You might be able to get updates for it if it turns out it's a "feature" of the program to cut off at that point.

Video transfer programs are memory hogs it seems (MGI, Videoway, Premier, etc.), so you should really shut down all other programs including your antivirus while you do this. It's a shame that you can't surf the web at the same time or do word processing or anything else as all would freeze. It almost doesn't matter how much ram you've got, it will take it all greedily.

I know I've not told you anything new here but a brief checklist of things to look at. I hope it helps a bit though.

[TrafficProducer]

only 400 mg !

Some Trail software limit the file size.

(Just because the software came with the Graphics card, (if it did), this does not to say it is not a Trail version)

Have you got the latest drivers?

Also a lot of software is built for Windows XP and will not work that well under Windows 98.

[sparky_t]

Thanks Everyone!

Firstly, it's not trial software, it came with the capture card - a pixelview - but a good thought anyway.

Secondly Screensavers, AV, all other apps and powermanagement oare all off.

I will look for upgrades/drivers for it, maybe you're right ChristinaS, I am connecting with an RF cable for now, so I wouldn't think thats it.

Thanks again everyone!

Sparky

[synergytheory]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it is on topic :)

Has anyone done any video capturing from a TiVo or DVR? What's the cheapest card I could get to achieve this? My DVR has outputs, so no worries there. My video card needs a major update [it's 8mb ahh] so I'm thinking about getting one that captures pretty decent too.