8mm tape transfer/capturing

[ViewCam88]

-I just installed the VideoStudio v10 software and it captures video fine, however I have an issue with the audio. The audio is present but for some reason there is a noticeable static on the video file. Im using a 2000 Sharp ViewCam VL-A10 monaural/analog 8mm camcorder to transfer video to my computer. Im confused because there is NO static on the original 8mm tape, when I play video on the camera, the sound is fine as well as when I plug it in to my TV set for playback. I dont understand where the static is coming from on the digital transfer? Ive tried several capture formats MPEG, DVD, AVI etc. the static is present on all versions. Im using the EasyCAP USB device with A/V plugs for capturing. Is there any solution for this audio problem? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

I just replied to another post where I think they were using an Easycap or EZCap, they are different. One is junk, don't recall which one. However doing a quick search on those 2 keywords (easycap, ezcap) came up with the topics that we covered problems with these devices.
http://forum.corel.com/EN/search.php?st ... 5D=1&ch=-1

[ViewCam88]

-Thanks for the welcome and your quick reply! I did buy the EasyCAP on ebay to save a few bucks. I looked through the threads of the link you posted and I fear that the EasyCAP is the knock-off of EZCap. I guess it just doesnt transfer the audio as well as the "legit" USB device does? The fact that my camera is analog/monaural shouldnt matter right? If there is no static on the master 8mm tape then there shouldnt be any on any transfer (especially digital) I'd imagine...Its just frustrating because the video comes out pretty good and the static is not horrible but it is noticeable enough ughhh, sometimes I hate technology

[Ron P.]

What audio does your 8mm camcorder record, 12 bit or 16bit? I've found the lower, 12bit to be a problem. I've mistakenly had that set on my camcorder, and had to recode the audio to 16bit, 48000kHz.

[ViewCam88]

-Im not sure what audio the camera records in, I went through the menu and I didnt see anything that refers to that. How do you recode the camera? Would that account for the extra static in the transfer? ...I found a site that sells the "real" EZCap USB device for $30, which isnt horrible. I think the audio is suffering in the transfer simply because the USB device Im using is not as high quality as the original product. There shouldnt be static in the transfer, it just doesnt make any sense.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

This is just clutching at straws………….
Make sure you have selected the correct audio input as USB device
In the past I have inadvertently selected the mic as the input source.
Capture was ok but the audio is picked up from the mic, maybe picking up sound from player.

audio_in.jpg (19.35 KiB) Viewed 5135 times

Otherwise................You could try connecting the audio direct to the pc “line-in” rather than through the EasyCap device.

[ViewCam88]

"Otherwise................You could try connecting the audio direct to the pc “line-in” rather than through the EasyCap device."

-Thanks for your response. I did double check and it is set to USB device for audio. How do I connect audio direct to the line in as you mentioned? Is it possible with a 2000 8mm analog ViewCam? Ive tried to record in mono as the camcorder is mono but it still had the same static, more noticeable in video that features speaking. The video transfers perfectly I dont understand why the audio isnt working as well. I contacted the manufacturer of the real EZCap device/software, they tell me that my problem is most likely due to faulty quality of the EasyCAP device I purchased at discount. They informed me that there is no audio problem with their product (of course). But then again, I cannot think of any other reason myself, I suppose I didnt want to consider the possibility that the device I have is to blame because I dont want to have to buy another but I fear I might ughhh

[Black Lab]

I would also check the cables. Bad (or cheap) cables could also cause the static.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

You mentioned record in mono, do you mean setting mono via Video Studio.

As the camera is Mono you could try capture mono using one audio cable.
Remove the red and white cables one at a time to identify the working channel.

If you connect both then the Easycap may be trying to transfer the empty channel producing noise on that channel.


I’ve just run a test on my Ezcap device……….
I connected the Yellow video cable to device, and the Red/White (audio direct to Line – In on PC—cable is RCA to 3mm) Set audio capture source as Line – In

Captured ok.

[ViewCam88]

-Thank guys, I will try checking the cables and seeing if mono setting works again with the corresponding cables (I didnt try disconnecting one of the audio cables)...you make a good point trevor about the empty channel and EasyCap trying to compensate for it, Ill see if it works...

[ViewCam88]

-I tried the mono setting with the appropriate single audio cable plugged in (happened to be the white one) and there was still the same static on the file ughh. Whats the line in option? I need another wire for that?

[Trevor Andrew]

Line-In terminal is normally a 3.5 mm.

I’m assuming you are using a 3.5 mm out of camera to a 3 RCA cable connected to Easycap. Similar to
I removed red and white from easycap and extended to line in

I found this Stereo Jack on amazon, maybe what you need?

You may have a local shop where you can source this.

Post Edited

There is another postreferring to similar problems.

The poster gave a link to Ezcap forum.

[UncleBoo]

An alternative is to connect your camera via the Firewire/IEEE1394 port, and use the freeware WinDV program to capture DV AVI files, which you can then edit in VS. I've successfully captured and edited (using VSX3) about 20 8mm tapes this way.

[Ron P.]

Using Firewire would be great, however I don't think that old of a Sharp camcorder, especially the 8mm had firewire ports. I happen to have an old Sharp 8mm and it doesn't have firewire.

[ViewCam88]

(I appreciate all your guys' helpful input!!)

-Im not familiar with FireWire, but Im pretty sure my '00 camcorder is not capable of that ...The only plug outlets on the camera are the one for charging it and the Audio/Video one. Im interested in the line-in option as the EasyCAP (knockoff or not) does capture the video just fine, I just need the sound a little better/clearer. I checked the back of my computer and verified where the (blue) 3.5mm line-in outlet is. So I just need the A/V plug (which I can pick up from the local Radio Shack) and to set the Ulead Studio software to record from line-in and Im set? If theres anything else involved could someone post the directions for using this method so I get it right? Trevor, you say you are using an EasyCAP usb device as well, was there static in your audio transfer before you switched to the line-in option? When you used the line-in version for recording your audio did the static go away?