URGENT - VHS Video Capture Problem

[tra4living]

Hi there, my daughter's bridal showing coming up and I want to create video for the event...... and I can't!!!

I've created many video's from mini-dv to dvd using capture card - going from JVC camcorder to red/white audio capture/S-video into the cards input attactment - no issues.

Now I need to capture VHS and I tried the coax output on two different units, into the tv port on the card. I've also tried feeding one output into the other units input, video in, coax, and every combination possible. I also tried multiple tapes.

THE PROBLEM, is when capturing, the left hand half of the preview screen in both VS 7 and VS10 flicker green or purple. The image that flickers appears to be the right hand half of the screen, but not all the time. I've also tried to change every setting possible on the capture screens, but nothing moves this problem at all.

Does anyone seen this before? Any ideas to try? Help me Obi Wan, you're my only hope!!!!

[Ken Berry]

Normally, of course, you would connect an analogue camcorder or VCR (which I assume is what you are currently having difficulty with) to a capture card, the way you say you are doing. But I can't comment further on that since you don't tell us the make or model of the capture card. Be aware, though, that some use proprietary hardware which will only allow capture from an analogue source using the software which came with the card. That would be on the installation CD for the card.

Since you mentioned it, I am assuming you have a mini-DV camcorder. What is its make and model? But there is one other thing you might try. You will need to check the camera manual, but it is possible that it may have the pass-through feature.

This would allow you to connect to the VCR (or analogue camcorder) to your mini-DV camcorder. For this there is a special cable which has the yellow/red/white composite plugs at one end (for the VCR), and at the other what looks like a standard 3mm stero plug, which goes into the mini-DV camcorder's AV socket.

Then you connect the mini-DV camcorder to your computer, and the analogue signal from the VCR passes through the mini-DV and is converted to a digital signal.

I note you say you have captured many times in the past by connecting the mini-DV to the TV capture card. This is most definitely the wrong way of going about things. To get the best quality capture from a mini-DV camcorder you MUST use firewire. Your mini-DV camcorder will most definitely have a Firewire socket. And if your computer does not, then a Firewire card (with cable) is cheap these days and easy to install. You will be amazed at the difference in quality.

[heinz-oz]

You would have to connect the VCR the same way as you connect your camcorder, except that you connect the video (Yellow plug) in lieu of the S-VHS cable.

[tra4living]

Got the point in the dv and firewire. My mini-dv camcorder does not have ability to do passthrough analog to digital. It's an older one, only has outputs.

I've tried hooking it up everyway possible - I think I'm doing that right cause it records just fine. Is the problem as simple as analog to digital? I'm recording using a GeForce 5700 card with the companion input connections.

If this is the case, what's the answer? I really don't want to spend hundreds of dollars buying another card for 3 year old computer.

Thanks for any perspective!!!

[DVDDoug]

I want to create video for the event... Now I need to capture VHS...

Are you trying to copy a commercial (copy protected) VHS tape?

If not, what's the condition of the tape? Have you tried a different tape? I've read stories about old poor-quality tapes triggering the copy protection on the capture card. There are video stababizers and Time Base Correctors that might help with a poor quality tape, but they are expensive too.

[heinz-oz]

I think your problem stems from the fact that you connect the coax (arial out) of your VCR to the coax IN on the PC.

Connect your VCR to the RCA sockets, Red and White for sound and Yellow for video. That should do the trick connection wise. Whether your system is then up to it, let's see.

[tra4living]

Hi guys - thanks for the input - still have the problem. More info.......

I've used the coax from the vcr out to the geforce 5700fx tv in - no luck. I've used the vcr out red/white/yellow to the cards converter box - no luck.

The tape I'm using was recorded years ago on vhs camera. These are not commercial tapes. Commercial tapes on my setup show a while line horizontal across the screen when recorded (copy protection), this problem is fully half the screen, and it is a ghost of the OTHER half of the screen.....

Argh. I'm tempted to go buy a dazzle box/usb set up with all the time I've spent, but not knowing the cause, I'm not sure this will fix it.

The fellow at CCity said the problem may be in the cable, but I've used 4 different RCA cables with no impact on the problem.

[skier-hughes]

I wouldn't bother with a dazzle or anything else just yet. It sounds like the video signal is being corrupted, this may be by the player or the cables or the receiver (pc)

The VHS plays ok through the vcr to the tv?

Have you tried other tapes?
Do any of them capture ok?
Are newer ones capturing better than older ones?

Make sure you don't have any other electrical cables etc close to the rca cables so they don't interfere.