VS7 - Quality of Capture is very Low?

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:15 pm

I just bought and ADS Tech USB Instant Video Cd device which came with UNLEAD VS7. Now I've managed to get it all working and such, but the quality of the capture is poor. Well if its in the small form without fullscreen at 640X480 resolution, then its an alright quality. But I want a higher resolution and higher quality. The sound quality also isnt the best, it ends up being a little grainy.

Now, I'll let you know I dont really plan on capturing any video at all. I'm trying to use this device so that i can display my playstation directly onto my laptop display. This works to an extent, other than the quality issues I previously stated. Now having said thats what I plan to use this for, It shouldnt make any difference. If someone wanted to make a VCD, why would they want it to be 640x480 resolution? That would certainly look like crap on a TV or playback on a computer.

Now that you know I only really want to use this as a TV-In through USB, Is this the right device or is the device fine and I just need different software? I know there are TV-In devices aswell but this ADS one was about $40 cheeper.

Thank you for your help,
Mike

Comp Specs:

Processor: 1.8 GHz Pentium M Processor (about 2x as fast as P4 chips a.k.a 3.6 Ghz in P4 terms)

512MB of Ram

Windos XP Professional

I dont remember how to find what my graphics card is but i'm pretty sure its something like:

9800 Raedon Mobility

BrianCee · Post by **BrianCee** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:29 pm

Many people have complained of the very poor quality of video captured using those 'inline' USB devices - I bought one from another manufacturer tried it a couple of times and threw it in the back of my equipment cupboard where it still remains - there is nothing wrong with the quality in ULEAD VideoStudio if you capture by firewire, - you may need to look at alternative means of connecting your playstation to your PC - an analogue capture card/ TV card should allow you to capture/display at higher resolution to give a viewable if not perfect video picture.

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:53 pm

Ok fair enough, but I still think it shouldnt be the device that's the problem. All I need is the ability to capture at a higher resolution and I think it should be fine. Is there something else I can get that will allow me to capture above the 640x480 resolution? Using VS7, can anyone capture above this resolution?

The tv card you're talking about, I believe they cost several hundred dollars. If not, can you recomend a brand/model that wont? Not to mention I'm using a Laptop, not a Desktop. I cant install a card into my computer.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:22 pm

The capture resolution is not the problem, since TV broadcast signals and the composite video signal that your gaming console output use resolutions below the 640x480 your capture device is capable of.

What, specifically is the problem with the video? Color fidelity, geometry distortion, etc.?

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:54 pm

I'm not sure exactly how to describe it with the proper lingo, but I'd say there is some geometry distortion. Especially when i put it at lower resolution. I have an image if I could send it to you somehow? I dont think this bord lets u post images?

I'd like to solve this quickly so I could return this device and get something else if need be.

thanks.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 2:41 am

You can't attach files to posts on this board, but you can link to files that are accessible using standard Internet protocols such as HTTP and FTP. If you can upload it to a web server someplace (the server has to allow image hotlinking), you can use the IMG or URL tags to reference the file.

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:11 am

Uh.... ok well in any event I dont think thats necesairy is it?

I just want to be able to play ps2 on my laptop

can someone help me?

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:24 am

mike23 wrote:Uh.... ok well in any event I dont think thats necesairy is it?

I just want to be able to play ps2 on my laptop can someone help me?

Why not get a PlayStation emulator? That would bypass that problem neatly...

http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/ps2/

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:27 am

I dont want to buy new controlers...... can u play any ps2 disk in an emulator?

I want to use my playstation, put it to some use...

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:23 pm

So no one has a solution for me? I like the idea of acutlaly using my ps2 and playing it on my laptop display. I dont want to have to buy s**** PC ported controllers or work of my processor. I want high/perfect quality in video and high quality sound. With this device or some other USB device, is this possible????

Help is much appreciated, or redirection to somewhere else where I will be able to get the help i need would also be appreciated.

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:43 pm

Without seeing the results you are getting now, it's hard to tell if they are typical of what you should expect.

Beyond the quality of the captured video, there could also be a problem with the program that displays the video -- scaling of the input signal to match the screen / window size of the displaying application, slow performance and resulting lag will have a negative impact on your experience.

It's really not clear to me if you are using UVS to display the live video feed from the PS2 in the Preview window, but if you are, that's not a good way to go, since the Preview window doesn't show the video at its original size. If the capture device came with a video capture utility, I would try that.

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:07 am

First I'd like to thank you for your continued support THoff... no one else seems to want to help.

Anyways I managed to get the video on HTML. The address is:

http://www.woronuk.com/PS2test.htm
ps: I can drive better than that, but the image was lagging while recording lol

I'm only using VS8 and the setting is to the 640x480 resolution. You'll notice the scatchy sound in the background, thats supposed to be clean sounding music.

Let me know what you think

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 4:50 am

I know file size might be an issue, but if you can, grab an unresized file, even if it is short, and upload that. The file you linked to is a 320x240 file, and you said you are capturing at 640x480, so with the resolution cut in half, it is hard to tell how bad the capture is.

The crackling sound is probably the result of an overamplified input signal. For sound coming from a TV or another analog source like the PS2, you should use the LINE IN or AUX input, not a MIC input. The microphone input is for unamplified inputs only.

If you want to view video on your laptop only and not record it, consider this free utility.

mike23 · Post by **mike23** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 6:57 am

It was a little bit of a hastle to get that movie up there but I'll do it again if its absolutley necesairy. I dont think it is, if anything the 320 resoultion only amplifies the failings of the 620 resolution, they arent all that different just one is slightly better.

Now I tried your program and I like it, I think it gives me the better resolution that i want however, i cant get audio to work on it! I've also started to play with Windows Media Encoder, that also achieves better video but again no audio.

At least we have achieved better video i think. But now if i could get audio to work with either that program u recomended or the WME then we're set!

Almost there THone thx again for your continuing support.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:15 pm

Hi,

I'd recommend the USB DVD Xpress over the USB Instant VideoCD. You get higher resolution captures, and at higher bitrates.

It's not powered by the USB port (I think the Instant VideoCD is), but it's a better device that will give you more options down the road. I've seen it at CompUSA stores for $50 after rebates every now and then...

George

Alludo USER to USER Web Board

VS7 - Quality of Capture is very Low?

VS7 - Quality of Capture is very Low?

Instant VCD