DVD Xpress DX2/VisualStudio/Capture Wizard Problems

bluemax786 · Post by **bluemax786** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:41 am

Hey guys,

I'm new, but have been lurking for a while.

I just bought the DVD Xpress DX2. I enjoy the product a lot, but have noticed something that is really nagging me.

I'm trying to convert VHS tapes to digital so I can put them on DVDs. Everything went fine for a little while, until the darn thing started stuttering and "hiccuping" every 3 or 4 seconds. It's almost like there's something running in the System Tray that's causing it to lag, but everything is closed down. My computer specs are in my profile, here they are for a quick view:

Athlon 64 3700+ 2.2 GHz
Biostar motherboard
2 GB Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 6800 GT 256 MB
Onboard sound
120 GB main, 200 GB secondary
Windows XP w/ SP2 and all updates

Ulead VideoStudio 9.0 SE DVD (fully updated)
AVS Capture Wizard

The problem occurs when I preview AND record from my VCR. The video freezes for split seconds, hiccups, stutters, lags, you name it. It records the lag! When I watch the mpeg files on my PC, the "lag spikes" or "stutters" are still there. I tried burning a quick disc, does it on that too.

I tried downloading the latest VideoStudio and Capture Wizard and all that. The latest Capture Wizard does the same thing - in fact, it stuttered even worse. VideoStudio 9 stutters as bad as Capture Wizard.

I'm using the standard composite cables that came with the device. It is hooked up to my computer via USB 2.0.

Any suggestions?

By the way, this thread seems VERY, very similar to what I'm talking about: http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=19363

Thanks for the help in advance, guys!

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:06 am

Did you follow any advice given in the other thread? What format are you capturing to?

bluemax786 · Post by **bluemax786** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:17 am

heinz-oz wrote:Did you follow any advice given in the other thread? What format are you capturing to?

Capturing with NTSC-M, MPEG-2 DVD

The advice in the other thread didn't really pertain to this product. I can't switch out the USB connection for firewire, etc. I updated all of the software, read through the manuals, and read the tech support FAQ. Nothing!

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:52 am

Any other USB devices hanging off this PC? It could be a bandwidth contention issue. Did you try a different cable?

Hopefully, your details so far will prompt one of the users of ADSTEC devices to come forward.

bluemax786 · Post by **bluemax786** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:41 am

heinz-oz wrote:Any other USB devices hanging off this PC? It could be a bandwidth contention issue. Did you try a different cable?

Hopefully, your details so far will prompt one of the users of ADSTEC devices to come forward.

Thanks for the help. Upon mentioning USB, I decided to go into Device Manager, and I found one USB root without a driver assigned. I updated the driver, restarted, and now the device captures the film flawlessly. Thanks for the help!

bluemax786 · Post by **bluemax786** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:22 am

........and it's doing it again. It seems to only do it at the same parts on the video. Particularly, and I know this sounds weird, but when anyone is outside (like, in nature), the capture begins to stutter and hiccup and all that. Almost like the "brighter the color, the more it skips." Does anyone have any other suggestions?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:22 am

It might be the VHS tapes. When I converted all of my VHS to DVD most transferred without a problem but using the same settings and same equipment, some of the older tapes gave all sorts of problems due to the tape being worn, stretched or dirty etc.

bluemax786 · Post by **bluemax786** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:04 pm

sjj1805 wrote:It might be the VHS tapes. When I converted all of my VHS to DVD most transferred without a problem but using the same settings and same equipment, some of the older tapes gave all sorts of problems due to the tape being worn, stretched or dirty etc.

Definitely a possibility - these tapes are ancient, and were NOT kept up properly.....

I'll see if I can round up a newer VHS tape, and try that.......