Distorted Audio on VHS Capture

LasVegasMike · Post by **LasVegasMike** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 3:46 pm

I've read through a lot of the posts and have done several searchs as well, but didn't find anything specific on this problem, I've had it in Version 7 and now 8, with the respective patches installed.

I'm running a Sony VAIO laptop, Pentium 4, 512 ram, Windows XP-with the patch, no other modifications to the graphics or sound card, just what came with it. I've got VS8 set to the capture standards, as outlined in the in the first post. I'm using a Belkin FSU 208 to connect a Panasonic VHS/DVD player to the computer via USB2 to convert some old VHS family tapes for my own use.

What is happening is the audio in the capture is distorted, and I can't find a way to adjust the audio input. It's if it's overdriving the input. I do get that popup in VS8 showing the audio is running in the red, but the slider will not adjust, nor can I find anything in the Windows system to adjust the input. The audio on the original tape is not distorted, I've tried both homemade and some commercial as tests.

When I capture from my Sharp digital ViewCam, via Firewire, the sound is fine.

If there is a better VHS analog to digital converter for the machine, I'm happy to try that.

Thanks in advance for any help!

rwindeyer · Post by **rwindeyer** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:06 am

If your camera has analogue inputs:

1) The easy way: if it also has AV/DV conversion ability (find that in the menu setup), just run the analogue signal into the camera, and the digital signal out to the computer via firewire. This is what I do.
2) If it doesn't have the pass-through feature, you can record from VHS onto the camera tape, and pass it to the computer later. Makes it two steps and longer though.

LasVegasMike · Post by **LasVegasMike** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:00 pm

I did double check the camera, and this is a cheap model. It doesn't have the capability for an analog or digital input, just the firewire output and another connection to output to a television or a VCR, but no capability to record from a VCR.

BrianCee · Post by **BrianCee** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 7:41 pm

Mike

when you get the source volume panel appear when capturing try clicking on the loudspeaker at the bottom - this should open the Windows Recording Control Panel to give you access to the sliders that control all Windows sound levels.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:04 pm

Check if the software for the capture device lets you choose between amplified and unamplified audio input signals.

Unamplified input is for things like microphones, whereas stereo equipment etc. usually have amplified outputs. If the capture device is expecting unamplified input and the actual input is already amplified, it will boost the signal and cause distortions.

LasVegasMike · Post by **LasVegasMike** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:51 pm

I appreciate and thank everyone for their help. From what I'm reading on the board, sound in general appears to be a big issue.

The Belkin F5U208, doesn't appear to have any type of control to adjust sound.

I did open the Windows control for all the various inputs. I'm just not sure which one controls the audio input from the USB2 connection that the Belkin converter plugs into.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:05 pm

Double-click on the Volume Control / Speaker icon in the System Tray to bring up the mixer, go to the Options menu, go to Properties, select Recording instead of Playback, and click OK. You can now select the recording source(s) and the volume for each source.

BrianCee · Post by **BrianCee** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:32 pm

LasVegasMike wrote:I did open the Windows control for all the various inputs. I'm just not sure which one controls the audio input from the USB2 connection that the Belkin converter plugs into.

Just try sliding one at a time while you are capturing video - most likely is "Line in".