VHS Capture problem

KizzaBlue · Post by **KizzaBlue** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:09 pm

Can anyone help me with capturing VHS analog footage and converting to DVD?

I have the VCR connected to my PC via EZMaker USB2.0 and capturing using VS 9. The picture appears to shake when the footage is zooming in or out or moves quickly. I have tried capturing it in all the formats listed and none seem to work properly.

This type of problem also happened using FireWire with a Sony Handy Cam (not too sure of the model as it was a friends camera - but a pretty new model). My video camera is a DVD so I have no problem uploading that and footage is perfect.

Am I doing something wrong?

Post by **Ron P.** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:21 pm

Hi KizzaBlue, and welcome to the forums..

In order to help you we need more information. Please read the following :

Also please complete your system information in your profile. This will help us in troubleshooting your problems now, and in the future this information will already be available, so you will not have to re-type it.

You may also be interested in Steve's tutorial, From Camcorder to DVD. It has a lot of info and may help with your problems.

One question however is what field order are you capturing to? Since you seem to be capturing analogue (from VCR) you should be using Upper Field First. Now when capturing a digital format, such as DV-AVI, then you should use Lower Field Firstl. It is recommended that when using a Firewire (IEEE394) capturing DV, Lower Field First should be used.

Ron P.

TDK1044 · Post by **TDK1044** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:45 pm

As Ron says, Field Order is a likely culprit here. Also, what video card do you have and are the drivers up to date?

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:21 pm

Or, maybe EZMaker and Video Studio are not communicating properly. Did EZMaker come with special capture software? If so, try it.

I suspect that EZMaker is sending MPEG data over the USB bus, and Video Studio likes to see DV data (i.e. from a DV camera).

The EZMaker web site says "Record to DVD or VCD". Make sure you've choosen DVD.

This type of problem also happened using FireWire with a Sony Handy Cam (not too sure of the model...

That should never happen with a camera that records to DV tape. When you "capture" from DV, it's really a simple tape-to-harddrive data transfer. There are none of the tricky analog-to-digital conversion, encoding, or real-time issues that you have with a true "capture".

KizzaBlue · Post by **KizzaBlue** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:05 am

Ok. I've completed my system details in my profile.

I have tried using Upper Field and having all the Properties as per the Recommended Procedures and it still doesn't want to work.

The audio is fine, it's the picture that now looks like it is dropping frames? It moves in a 'step' like motion....

I feel like I have changed the setting on everything I can possibly change and now I have no idea what they originally were!

I have tried capturing in VS9, DVD MovieFactory 2 SE (which came with the USB2) as well as a trial version of VS10.

Any other suggestions?

TDK1044 · Post by **TDK1044** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:02 pm

I think the root of your problem will be your on board video card. If I were you I would check that DMA is enabled on your system and that all unnecessary background programs are disabled during capture. These would include virus scan, screen saver, spam blocker etc. Then set VS9 to the standard Upper Field First default capture setting. Also, make sure with a USB 2.0 capture device that you are using a USB 2,0 port at the back of the computer rather than the USB 2.0 hub located at the front of your system. If, after doing all these things, you still have issues, you need to invest in a decent video capture card.

tommytucker · Post by **tommytucker** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:13 am

I just started using my digital cam as a passthrough from my old VHS to transfer some tapes to DVD. I am using freeware WINDV program for capture and no problems so far