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Hi All, can anyone assist me?
I am trying to convert Hi8 VHS from my old SONY-TVR208E camcorder using EasyCap via USB2.0 for HDD storage & DVD copy.
I am on a current DELL XPS420 PC with Vista with plenty of capacity and system RAM etc. I am connected via S-Video and single channel RCA audio leads.
Through a process of trial & error I have found that saving to DVD format and changing the settings to Quality @100%, DVD 720 x 526 PAL and Audio M-PEG Mono, this set-up invariably works fine and I have some excellent results.
The problem is that often the audio is not captured?
I can double-check the set-up is exactly the same and... nothing?
Then, out of frustration I usually re-boot my system and re-load the program. I find I have to make about 3 or 4 test captures before the sound re-appears, then it's a case of fingers crossed for the full piece. Great when it works, truly annoying when it doesn't after 60mins of tape!
I have no clue as to what is causing this? Please help!
My only other gripe is, why does the program not save my preferred set-up, it reverts to the default for every new capture (really irritating lack of basic use here, or is it me?)

Analog video capture is tricky, and I don't trust "cheap" capture devices... Almost everthing about digital video is tricky...

I am trying to convert Hi8 VHS from my old SONY-TVR208E camcorder using EasyCap via USB2.0 for HDD storage & DVD copy.

Did this device come with any other capture software, or only with Video Studio? Usually, capture devices come with capture software that's specially made to work with the device and it's driver. And, it's usually best to use the capture software that was designed to work with the hardware.... Some capture-hardware and capture-software just don't "play well together"... Sometimes an SE version of Video Studio or Movie Factory is included so that you can edit videos or make DVDs. The Video Studio capture feature is generally used with MiniDV cameras, and may not work with your hardware.

Did the device some with Vista drivers? What is the Video Studio version number? (VS11 was designed for Vista. There was a Vista update for VS10. VS9 (or older) was not designed for Vista.

Thanks Doug,
First of all, you are wrong to dismiss the EasyCap as a "cheap" device. The technology simply makes use of the newer level of PC resources and USB2.0, hardware is therefore kept to a minimum but still sufficient in terms of quality. Don't judge by size - you seen the latest PCI TV cards recently? They're half the size they used to be with ten times the functionality! Believe me, the results it gives are DVD standard, just a pity about the mystery sound glitch.

The EasyCap comes bundled with the SE version of VideoStudio, the drivers are supplied and the only stipulation is that it must have USB2.0 to function correctly. No other software is offered and these devices are marketed to work with older analogue camcorders. The SE version supplied is VS10 and thanks for the tip re the Vista updates - I just found them and downloaded the pdf. There are quite a few VS10 updates I see, but nothing to suggest any audio issues. I will try the Service Pack and Vista updates and see if it stabilises my next attempts.

Any clue on why changes to the default set-up don't stick? Does this occur with the later versions also?

Once I've got my old VT converted, it will be time to invest in a new digicam with built-in HDD &/or memory cards... way to go!

This is what DVDDoug meant by cheap capture devices....

Your EasyCap, cost about $16.00(US). EASYCAP

One that is not so cheap, but affordable by many, and very dependable...

Canopus Edius...Around $150 + (US).

No one is outright knocking EasyCap, however stop and think for a minute, would you expect to get the performance of a Mazaradi, Porsche, or Mercedes, at the cost of a Ford?

Video editing is difficult. The wide variety of devices used, and their compatibility or lack thereof, with the PCs they're used with, can make it fun and trouble free, or a major headache. One device may work fine on one PC, but not on the next.

EasyCap is one device that seems to not get along well with VS. So if it came with a capture program, and I think it does, something like CapWiz, use it to capture. Then use VS to edit your videos.

Thanks for your comment Vidoman, but I was looking for answers to my query rather than receive supporting nonesense to the previous reply.

First of all let's not get hung up about the price, this is just pure snobbery. Why would I want to spend 10 times what I really need to, to achieve the same result? The Ford still gets you there! And this is portable hardware not a Holywood studio.

Video editing is not at all difficult once the initial set-up is mastered. Your comments are making it sound like a black art and the mixture of your own personal preferences maybe fine for you, but likewise impossible for the next newbie. Your telling me to use a capture program I don't have access to and an editing program that may not work??

All I have is an intermittent sound issue - when it works it is perfectly adequate to produce back-up DVDs of my old VT.

Now, anyone out there got any technical advice?

Why would I want to spend 10 times what I really need to, to achieve the same result?

Maybe you wouldn't get the same result. Maybe it would work.

Have you checked with EasyCap for updates? Usually when a SE version of VS is bundled with hardware, the software has been "tweaked" in some way to work with it. So it may not necessarily be a VS issue that anyone here can answer.

Hey Jeff, you're a funny guy right?

If you can find a link to the EasyCap website - please paste it here. There's no info on this supplied with the instructions or the packaging, I just tried 10 pages of Google and nothing to report...

This is weird, my set-up worked fine this morning and I was pleased it was going smoothly. Took a break, had lunch, returned to my project later this afternoon and the audio problem re-appeared. Even worse, it's not seeing the video feed now?!! Tried a reboot and then a re-install of the VS and drivers - and ditto !!!???

TOTALLY CONFUSED NOW

So far I've managed to successfully copy about 6+hrs of VT and I've got about the same again to complete my current project. Maybe be I should sleep on it while my whole system is disconnected from the mains - you laugh, it's the classic solution in most offices these days!

I have had this unit for a couple of weeks now and let me tell you all,,,,for me its the best thing ever. Its a shame that the cost of a good product is used to make it viewed as being inferior to expensive capture devices. Im very grateful that this unit comes with videostudio se which is very good software and is not rubbish and beats many others. I believe this capture device should haul in at least $300.00 due to its size and portability. I can use it with my laptop and take it anywhere. Theres no messy wires to connect at the back of your computer and its modern micro electronics are a dream.

Anyway the video quality is absolutely marvellous but for audio you have to have the default recording device correctly selected. You must have line 2 usb audio device set as the default when the easycap is plugged into your computer. Also for ease of use if you have usb 2.0 on the front of your computer then it makes it far easier to use.

To set things up right (Im using the RCA connectors) the following should be established, double click the sound icon in the control panel and then make the usb device default....



Open any video editor and go to the capture tab and make sure the EasyCap device is selected from the pull down menu as shown here,,,






Now that this has been done click on the options icon in videostudio SE and select the following below...



Note if you tick the preview audio with usb device your audio will play in realtime as you capture from this excellent device. If you leave it unchecked dont panick your audio is still being received.

You can set your personal preferences to correct your video by going to the options icon and opening the video colour manager and "fiddle" with these settings below or go for default....



also in the options you might like to "fiddle" with the mpeg settings if you like as follows....



Note I use PAL settings for Australia but theres heaps of others under the pull down menu under the templates setting in the same panel.

When your ready to go the press the flashing capture video icon and your set to edit once capturing is stopped.

For further information please read this:-




Anyway this should set you up with a very worthwhile investment that you've made acquiring the "rolls royce" of capture devices. ( Ford by the way is an American Icon,,, Whats wrong with that? They are great cars!)Its absolutely fantastic. Some may find it hard to believe but dont get blinded by money as an indication of supremacy. At the end of the day its a fantastic capture device,,,,, I just love its simplicity, compactness, portability and its specifications. Please note when the device is removed the default recording device returns to the computers default attributes. You have to open the sound icon in the control panel and reselect the usb line device as default and the input source under options reinstated for AUDIO ACTIVE DEVICE Line 2 USB audio device as being selected.



Steve

Yes Steve, you are spot-on in what you say about EasyCAP and I agree with your comments on it's ability & price.

I checked my Sound/Recorcding tab and found that the USB device is already the default when it's plugged in?

I managed to complete another 90mins of VT with sound the other day, but again lost the audio on the next tape conversion? When this happens, I usually reboot the whole system and run VideoStudio exclusively, avoiding any other software interuptions, but my luck was out again.

I've tried to nail down when exactly the audio hangs, but I am beginning to think this is a random software compatibility issue. Nothing in my hardware set-up is changing or the way I select the options.

What annoys me as much as the sound problem is VideoStudio's inability to hold my prefered settings - Why does it have to go back to the program default prior to each capture?

When it works I love it, when it doesn't I want to scream!!!

Thanks anyway for your more than comprehensive reply, good job.

Hi Minky
Yes youre right about wanting to scream when a computer plays around a bit. Anyway your more than 80% there with getting this thing to work. Have you got XP or Vista as your operating system? My easyCAP device works very well aint that funny. For once this thing worked fine but at the start I had a scratchy sound playback on the first day I got the easyCAP. But it WAS NOT THE DEVICE but my settings on my computer. I had a webcam with microphone connected to the front usb and pink connector. This was the default device and the easyCAP was idle in the background and I believe some sort of "freaky" feedback was happening through my speakers.

I think your issue is a problem with the initial set-up. If you have vista its a good idea to run the installation as the administrator and THE USER ACCOUNT CONTROL (UAC) turned off temporarily. If you have XP then make sure the firewall and virus software is off. I turn all these OFF with vista and believe me it makes life a lot easier. Do this only when your OFF the internet so that your not vulnerable for ten minutes. If you have broadband switch off the modem . When you have installed the software turn all these controls back on again. Windows will accept your new installed software without any glitches and constant wavering of settings that you want it to remain constant.

Check the device control section by right clicking on my computer and go to properties and locate the device manager. Under the sound video and game controllers make sure you have :=
1 easycap video adapter shown
2 usb audio device shown

There should be no yellow exclamation marks shown. If it does then you neen to uninstall easycap and vs SE and reinstall but this time DEACTIVATE all UAC and firewalls as ive already indicated


Any way dont give up it will work for you and you wont ever regret it. Sometimes computers can be a bit of a pain but really its a learning curve with some frustration involved. As i said I just love this device. [/img]

Hello steve dvd, Im a newbie to these types of thing so go easy on me.

My easycap has installed OK, and appears to be ok on the face of things, however I get a couple of error messages happen as follows.

I am using the moviemaker set up as it is meant for numpties like me!!

When pressing the "capture" button, I get the message, that there is no signal, or a poor signal do I want to continue? I then select yes and it starts recording.

Then it will record for 4-5 minutes and stop with the message, there is a problem or insufficient memory available!!.

So I can only record clips of maybe 4-5 minutes (or less) at a time.

I am trying to transfer old VHS tapes from a VHS player through the easy cap and onto dvd as they are much smaller than VHS tapes. For instance theres one setting asking if my vhs is NSTC or PAL? how would I know? where does it say?

Any help is appreciated.
Cheers