Capturing AVI fails in VS10 but not in WMM

[kilvroch]

Capturing Failed:
The file created is corrupt and unusable.
It will be automatically deleted.

From trolling the posts in this forum, it appears this is related to codec conflicts.... but I cannot find any clue as to how to identify which codec(s) I should be using and which I should be disabling?

I am trying to capture AVI from a Sony PC100E.
I can do it successfully in Windows Movie Maker, but not in VS10, so I assume it is a software issue, not a hardware one.

I have read the tutorial on Preferences and Properties.
I have used Visual Studio for several releases and for several years, but this is the first time I have attempted to capture in VS10.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I will be grateful, as I have 12 MiniDVs I must capture and weave together into a multiple DVD project.

[Ken Berry]

Forgive me if I go over ground which might seem unnecessary, since you have been using VS for some years, as you say. But we need to rule in or rule out certain things on which you have not provided any information. First, can we assume that by 'AVI' you in fact mean DV/AVI? Next, can we assume you have connected your camera via firewire to your computer and are trying to capture that way? Does VS actually see the camera as a capture source? Can you also give us an idea of your computer specs and operating system.

As a temporary work-around, as you would probably be aware, you can capture your DV cassettes using WMM in DV format, and then simply open them in VS10 for editing.

While I have never had any trouble capturing with VS, including VS10+, I more often than not use a third party program to capture -- one which, unlike Video Studio, allows the user to specify the file names instead of imposing some arcane sequence of letters and numbers as VS does. I use principally the small freeware program WinDV for this. No risk of dropped frames either.

[kilvroch]

Hi Ken,
thanks for your reply.
Yes, I meant DV/AVI

I'm running a dual processor Dell 9150 with 1GB RAM, 2.8ghz intel processors, firewire and XP MCE, Radeon X600 256mb hypermemory, WinTV PVR PCI II. I'm in the UK, so PAL is our format here.

I have just finished capturing the first tape using WMM... and really like the ability to name my own file - so I plan to continue this way and then import into VS10+. With 12 tapes to merge, and hundreds of edit points, having meaning file names will make my life one heck of a lot easier.

I upgraded my PC in January and this is the first minidv project I've done on it.

I had to muck about trying to get my WinTV card to capture analogue video for an earlier project, but was finally successful.

One thing I noticed when trying to capture in VS was the little duration counter would not increment. WMM had no trouble with the duration stuff.