No sound capturing analog (from VHS)

[charlesh]

After several years of pause I found a dozen of old analog videotapes playable in VHS players and I wish to capture, edit and burn them on DVDs.
I purchased a USB Video Capture Device (EzCap-100)
I have Video Studio 7 for many years, I never updated since it did the job esp to capture digital tapes from my camcorder/edit and burn. So...

First and simple question: The USB Video Capture Device came with a software: VideoStudio SE (special edition - second edition ? ). But for which VS? Is it the SE for VS 10? The user manual is March 2006 dated. Having some problem with installation Corel-VS support advised that they do not support this anymore (too old?). I finally solved the installation problem.

Second question: With VS7 I captured the analog tape to PC correctly but no sound. I have two soundcards: Creative SB LIve!Value (WDM) and M-Audio Delta Audiophile (same as 2496). I can use either of them depending on the softwares. But in capturing from VHS neither works. But no such sound problem to capture digital from camcorder. Same problem with VS SE.

I rather use the VS7. Being too old I prefer not to "relearn" a program if the old one still does the job.

Windows XP Home, Dell Dimension 8300, Intel 4, 3 Ghz, 2GB mem, 2 CD ROMs (75 and 150 GB) All in Wonder 9600 series

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

There seems to be a lot of problems in using EasyCap, there are a few posts ongoing, do a search.
I purchased one a few years ago and never was successful, so I’m probably not the person to help you.

First do you own a video camera that supports ‘through-put’
If your in the US then it is most likely, can you fill in your profile to include your PC spec and location, it may help.

‘Through-put’ allows you to connect the VHS to the A/V - In terminal, then DV- Out via firewire to the pc. The camera basically being used as a converter. Works very well.

Easy Cap audio

Try connecting the VHS audio direct to ‘Line – In’ on the pc, Using Easycap to capture the video only.

I’ve just noticed you have All in Wonder 9600 series.
Does this not have the means to capture video via a composite connection.
http://ati.amd.com/products/radeon9600/ ... specs.html
seems to indicate this.

If so this would be a far better option to capturing the VHS tapes.

[charlesh]

Hello Trevor, thanks for reply
First: My JVC D290U camcorder does not have the "through-put" support. This was the first thing I looked into.
You right, the 9600 should have the capability for capturing. But it needs an ATI Input Adapter. I know, it came originally with the board, but in years I misplaced/lost it, anyhow, I don/t have it anymore. That is why I hoped that a USB device, like the EasyCap would work, it captures video well but no sound.
When you suggest to connect the VHS audio to "Line-in" on the PC, you mean to Line-in on the sound board? At this moment the AV out (20 pin square plug) of the video (9600) card is connected to the Line-in on the sound card. This is mono only, but I don't care. I certainly will try and let you know.

For anybody else: Original question # 1: what is VideoStudio SE? I can not get a decent answer from Corel on this. Any time I mention SE (e-mail, support etc) a form letter comes back that it is not supported anymore. Fine, but just simply: what is it or was it?

[Ken Berry]

SE versions are 'special editions' which have been cut down in some way or other. Some hardware manufacturers, like EzyCap, buy the software and tweak it to work with their hardware -- but they usually don't share the secret with the software manufacturer.

Usually, some of the features of the full edition are not included. Dolby is a typical feature missing in SE versions.

Finally, update patches don't work on SE versions. And as you have discovered, Corel does not support them. In effect, they are just 'teasers' to encourage people to buy the full edition.

[charlesh]

Thank you Ken;
I just wondered VS SE is the trunkated version of which Video Studio edition.

[Ken Berry]

Normall it should show the number in the title of the program, and certainly when you click on the ? button... But normally Ezy-Cap comes with either VS 9 SE or sometimes VS10 SE... I have not heard of it having a more recent version.

[sjj1805]

If you are using VS7 then it is an old program and would require a special plug in to work with Dolby Sound - therefore if you camcorder records in Dolby VS7 is no longer of any use.
Otherwise Please view No Sound
You will need to select the correct input device by ticking it.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Charles

Did you check the audio input source as USB.

With EasyCap connected and from the Capture Tab………

Select the Options cogwheel
Select Video and Audio Capture Property Settings
Make sure that USB Audio Input is selected
You can also choose to ‘Preview Audio with USB device’

Digital Dolby

This audio format is probably not supported with VS 10 SE.
I DONOT think that the easycap device would support Digital Dolby either, but you never know.

Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties.
What are the audio properties?
If they show as Digital Dolby (AC3) then the device has captured the audio but you cannot play it. But I suspect it hasn’t captured the audio.

[charlesh]

Hi;
ssj1805: The old recordings are certainly not Dolby. VideoStudio7 does not have Dolby too, so it should not be any interference.
Volume control is in Recording mode, Line Input is selected and on max.
trevor: Option cogwheel: There is no "Select video and audio property settings" in VS7: Video and audio are separate selections. So clicking on Audio Properties there is no USB Audio Input listed - no USB audio anywhere. The props: Format PCM and Attributes 44,100 kHz, 16 bit, stereo.
Also I tried direct sound input from VCR to Line In of the PC sound board, no luck.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Charles

If line in is selected as the recording option then that is used as the audio input.
The audio through the Capwiz will not be recorded.

You will be best to connect the VHS directly to the line in terminal, as mentioned earlier.

I’ll look into the VS 7 options………….

[Ken Berry]

Trevor: Last line of his last post:

Also I tried direct sound input from VCR to Line In of the PC sound board, no luck.

So that one appears to be ruled out as well. I confess I am mystified!

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Very strange Ken.
I have an Easy Cap device, but I cannot get it working long enough to do much with it.
Using it on my old pc it hangs.

Charles, From your PC’s audio control if you select Line In for your ‘Volume Option’, then you should be able to hear the VHS through your speakers.
To capture you have to change the ’Recording mode’ to Line-In and you should capture the VHS audio.
At least that’s how it should work.
The Easy Cap connected using the video (yellow cable only)

[Trevor Andrew]

trevor: Option cogwheel: There is no "Select video and audio property settings" in VS7: .

Hi Charles
Using VS 7 this is what I see from the Capture tab

After pressing Options



After selecting Capture Properties

[charlesh]

Hi Trevor;
The drop down window in my VS7 looks different than yours. Yes, in the Audio Input: There is a selection (among others) as"USB Audio Interface" (my error) but as I indicated before there are two separate drop down windows, one for the video and one for the audio. And still no sound.
Yes, I should hear the sound even before actually capturing, and I do not. I checked out two different VCRs, connecting the audio output directly to a mini HiFi-s, there is sound even I am not seeing video. So the VCRs are OK.
And I don't have sound with direct VCR to Line Input on the sound board of the PC. Probably it is not the EasyCap. On the other hand, other sound programs work fine in my PC.

[charlesh]

Hi;
I just discovered that my music notation program, Sibelius 6 (and previous editions 4 and 5) also does not play back the recorded scores. Very strange and I try to take this up with Sib, no answer yet. And starting up Sib 6 the intro just plays fine so connections and set ups should be OK.

It seems that both, the VCR capturing and music program suddenly quit to play audio. Hardwares must be OK, but two progs quit simultaneously? Sibelius 6 does everything right except playback the scores.

I checked both soundcards in Windows Device Manager and it said that both cards "work properly"

Greetings