Analog Capture Via DV Camcorder Firewire

[sportswizdan]

Hi all...

Just a question here before I re-arrange my components in my entertainment center. I'm capturing analog tapes thru my Dv Camcorder via firewire to DV-AVI. When I capture my digital videos thru the firewired to DV-AVI it's only considered "transfering" the video. Would this be the same with my analog tapes? Also, if it is just transfering, can I use a cheaper vhs recorder hooked up to my DV-Camcorder, or do I have to pull out my Super VHS editing recorder which is hooked up behind my heavy entertainment center? I want to be able to get the best picture possible.

Thanks for your advice, Dan

[THoff]

If you use the passthrough capture of your camcorder, then you are winding up with true DV, and should adjust your workflow accordingly -- DV is lower-field first, while analog usually is upper-field first.

Whether using the S-VHS will make a difference depends on how the source material was recorded. If it is regular VHS, putting it into a S-VHS recorder won't help.

Do use a S-Video connection instead of composite if both your VCR and camcorder support it -- that will make a noticeable difference in the quality.

[woxof]

If you use the passthrough capture of your camcorder, then you are winding up with true DV, and should adjust your workflow accordingly -- DV is lower-field first, while analog usually is upper-field first.

Whether using the S-VHS will make a difference depends on how the source material was recorded. If it is regular VHS, putting it into a S-VHS recorder won't help.

Do use a S-Video connection instead of composite if both your VCR and camcorder support it -- that will make a noticeable difference in the quality.

3 questions: 1. Adjust work flow? I capture from vhs thru a Sharp and don't change this setting and it works. Not sure where the lower/upper part is hidden in UVS 8 but i've seen it. Does it make a big difference if it is upper or lower? Adjust work flow is kind of vague, so am I supposed to change to upper field in the UVS dialog box when I set my Camcorder to analog to digital? (I guess that is a 2 part question)

2. The trial version of UVS9 won't capture DV OR analog through my camcorder. It gives the following error message:

"Failed to initialize the video capture plug in. Another program may be using it or the file has been moved capture drive not installed properly 15001:71:1 15023:4:21"

UVS8 works fine if I use it instead. I just moved UVS9 from drive F to C to the Ulead folder to see if that would make it work but now I can't open UVS9 at all. So that can be solved by downloading again. But why can't I capture?If I open UVS 8. no problem.

3. What the %$#& is the trial anyway? Do I get part of the program, then pay then I have to download more of the program? I would just order an upgrade CD but as you may know Ulead feels that I should pay $11 - $12 for shipping that arrives in about 5 days for a 1# package. They have added some kind of smartload or some deal that I'm not sure if it is the rest of the program or additions. Ulead is sure making it hard for me to give them my money.

Thanks
Sean

[MikeGunter]

Hi,

(1) If the content is coming via converter in the form of a DV Camcorder, the field order will be lower first. Capture a few seconds, if it is flickery nonesense, you'll need to change the field order. Likely it won't be a problem.

(2) Bummer. It looks like you have pointed the install to a drive different that the O/S's sense of where the "Program Files" is located. There are some installations of the sw I'm aware of where the Administrator was being creative. I don't know if that is it or not. If reinstalling didn't help, you might give support a call. I haven't had any problems with VS9: I installed without any virus checkers running, no ad ware, spyware anyware thing running.

(3) Trial ware is the opportunity to give the software a go before buying. If its installation goes bad, it likely gives a poor taste in the buyer's mouth.

Pity as VS9 is one of the best buys out there.

Mike

[woxof]

I was ready to buy UVS9 since at BUY.Com it is free if you use their credit card offer combined with the 2 rebates (one expires 5/16/05). I liked the Chroma Key and especially the color control because my camcorder is the cheapest I could find so the colors are a little dull. I tried unzipping UVS9 to C:Programs/Ulead.... where everything else from them is located but still no luck. Could it be that the trial does not allow capture? I really wish Ulead wasn't into rip off postage on the software. They make a lot more selling direct and free postage would be expected.

[MikeGunter]

Hi,

Getting it "free" makes it hard to complain about its cost.

UVS9 has AC3 audio support, can edit any CODEC (in your system) on the timeline.

It is a real bargain.

Mike

[woxof]

I posted this in another section of the Forum but here is why I couldn't capture Dv or Analog to DV in UVS9 which I had asked in this section.

My previous message (above) indicated I had the same problems as others with a different error message. Maybe not. I set a RESTORE point and then uninstalled Win Installer 3.1. I reinstalled UVS9 Trial. Nothing. I then tried the DV to DVD wizard instead of Capture and It recognized my Sharp Camcorder! I then returned to the video editor portion and still got the same error message as previously posted. Just for grins and giggless does anybody know what I did that made capture work? Remember that UVS8 has worked fine at the same time (I don't try to keep them both open at the same time). I'll let you know. It was so stupid but I still don't know why I had to do this in UVS9. I'm just checking the quality of message board info here.
Thanks
Sean

[THoff]

If the DV to DVD Wizard works but regular Capture doesn't, are you by any chance trying to use a capture plugin other than the DirectShow capture plugin and DV format?

[woxof]

That was the problem. Using Ulead VFW instead of Ulead direct Show. I've never changed it in UVS8 and that is what 8 was set on. Lots of the HELP stuff is like telling somebody all the names of the controls in a car and then expecting them to be able to drive.

Thanks for your help. I appreciate the time other people put into these Forums.

Sean

[THoff]

Cool beans. I'm glad you got it straightened out.

Cheers!