8mm tape transfer/capturing

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I don’t have a problem using the Ezcap device, it captures good video and audio.
I tried the Line-In option just to make sure it would work.
I would not advise you to try this option if I hadn’t given it a go first.

At least your Easycap device seems to work, the cheap one I bought just froze my pc.

[ViewCam88]

-Okay cool Ill give that in-line option a shot then! And yes, my $11 EasyCap from ebay does work ok but it is a knock-off of the $30 legit "EZCap" which I assume is why my audio quality is not as good as it should be, despite the video being decent.

[ViewCam88]

-Okay bought the line-in audio adapter at Radio Shack for only $6 and it works great! The sound is mono because the camera is but thats ok, there is no more static, it is crystal clear! Now I can finally start transferring my 8mm cassette footage to digital and I can still use my good old ViewCam and stay up to date with storing and sharing my videos digitally, sweet! To anyone who has the knockoff EasyCap like me, if you have static just use the line-in adapter option, the knockoff has good video transfer, its just the audio that suffers, for me at least. The knockoff still saves you about $20 compared to the original, even with the extra audio adapter, so ya know and once again thank you to everyone who posted and helped me figure this out! your input was much appreciated!!! thanks again!

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Thanks for the feedback, its great news that the Line-In option was successful.

As for the audio, from video studio you can duplicate the audio channel.
Then at least you get sound from both speakers.

Go to Audio timeline view
Select the “Attributes” tab.
Then choose left or right channel

[cobo04]

Fortunatly, my main Digital camera has an AVin socket, so use the AVout of my old 8mm camera, then use the USB connector to PC (hence to video studio X3) to capture the video, only thing is there is no control of the video stream so have to start the capture to a blue screen (no video default) then start up the 8mm camera, once the video has finished, stop capture, then stop 8mm camera.

this has worked fine to transfer almost all my 8mm stock to DVD.

I agree it is a but long winded but once setup, I just spent a day moving 8mm tape footage onto the editor, saved the file (non edited) then the next tape, etc. Then spent almost a week editing it all !!!

Just one way of doing it, I did try one of the many Analogue to USB dongles but didn't have much success on this so rigged up th two cameras to do the job.

Hope this helps

[Trevor Andrew]

cobo04

Thanks for the info, I suppose this is a version of “Pass-through”

I use the same setup but connect camera to pc using Firewire.

There is an option in Preferences-Capture-Press OK to Capture

Hit Capture----A popup box shows deferring capture, you then pre-role the camera to the start point hitting OK.
Capture starts immediately.

[cobo04]

Trevor

Yep, it is pass-through but converts the analogue composite signals to digital, connection to PC is wither Firewire or USB but found USB to be more reliable using this sort of lash up.

Checked the options and they were wrong, now okay for only capture when video present. Thanks for this.

Colin

[ViewCam88]

thanks trevor ill try that with the audio it would be nice to have it come out of both speakers!

....tried it and it works but when i go to save the file it doesnt save the audio attribute change...? when i play it in videostudio after i change the audio attributes, the mono file plays in very rich loud stereo sound. can you only play it that way within the studio? when i save it it saves as a videostudio link and i cannot open it with any other media player...it goes right to play in the studio and the volume is extremely low but i think its still stereo...unless im doing something wrong? mono is not big deal if it doesnt let me save the updated clip in the loud stereo.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Viewcam88

When you say you “saved the file”…how
Did you File –Save or Save as………this merely saves the project as a Video Studio project (VSP) you can only open these types in Video Studio.

You have to create a new video file of your project by Share Create Video File—choosing one of the options.
“Same as first video clip” should not be used as this is using Mono.

Try this……..
Set the project properties to use the same as your video files properties, with the exception of the audio, use stereo.
Share create Video File “Same as Project Settings” Will create a new video file.

Sound level, switching to Sound Mixer will allow you to view the sound levels.

Ok may be an easier way
During capture, you connect the audio via the “line-in audio adapter “
Only one channel contains audio, Connect that channel to both plugs on the adapter.
You will need an additional cable.

[ViewCam88]

-Yes I just did save/save as like you mentioned and youre right it was saved only as a VSP file. Ill try the first way, but whats the cable I would need for the second method you mention?

[cobo04]

For mono souce systems, earlier cameras and microhones (via pre-amp), I use a home built lead, as below.

This could easily be made, parts from Maplin (UK) or Radio Shack (US) would be a length of stereo audio cable, really not more then a metre or so., one mono jack plug (to fit to mono source - i.e. Camera, etc) and one stereo 3.5mm jack for connection to line in of PC/laptop.

At the mono jack end, connect both internal wires together to the top of the plug and the shield to the sleeve. Then at the stereo jack end, one wire (it make no difference which colour is used) to the tip, the other wire to the ring and the shield to the sleeve of the jack.

Oh, and remember to put the jack cover over the lead before terminating !!(been there all too often).

Give it a test and all should be okay, this is the sort of lead I made up and have had no issue with at all. Even used it to connect a mictophone to my camera for a shoot.

Hope this helps

Colin

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I was thinking on the same lines as Colin but using RCA plugs on both ends.
May be called a “Y” connector.

I found this onAmazon

If you are unable to make up this cable, I’m sure you could purchase a 3.5mm to twin RCA as described by Colin
This one may be suitable
The affect would simulate stereo but having the same sound out of both speakers

Good luck

[cobo04]

Trevor

Thanks for the link, I did get a 'Y' connector with phono ends which I use when connecting a mono microphone to the camera but for audio from a mono source (my old 8mm camera for instance), I made up a lead to reduce the amount of connectors in line. I can remember reading somewhere that each connector in a line reduces the signal by 0.5dB. Not too sure on the accuracy of this (not really tested it, just used it!!). But can understand the reasoning.

Colin

[ViewCam88]

-Ughh I had to do a system recovery on my computer due to viruses and now Ulead WONT record in MPEG, only low quality WMV files! I had a hard time finding the easycap's video capture driver, I found one called "SyntekSKT1160", but it is a different one from what I had previously. I have the original files from Ulead from before the system recovery but for some reason the video capture driver does not work like it did just yesterday before the recovery! Does anyone have the correct video capture driver for the EasyCap DC60 for windows XP? This is so frustrating it was just working fine, ughh. I just need the correct driver. I keep getting an error that says "Cannot set MPEG parameters error", what does that mean?

UPDATE: I found a freeware software program called Debut Professional, a video capture studio. It works perfectly with the easycap device and the Syntek driver. Comparable features to the Ulead and it even looks better in the studio when capturing. sound is also very good and it records in a variety of formats, including flawless MPEG. I would still like to figure out the ulead studio problem, I think I might have to delete it and reinstall the whole thing which includes getting a new registration number from the seller. As for the Debut, its free, but there is a $70 version to buy. However nothing on mine says its a "trial version" and there dont seem to be any restraints with the version i have, like all other trial versions ive downloaded. I dont know if anyone is familiar with Debut software/freeware. anyway, trials usually prompt you each time you enter or exit the program telling you how much time is left in the trial period, but this one does not...I just realized its a Beta version too so maybe thats why its free, works for me

[briankkatz]

Hey, try this link..
http://easycapexpertti.mybisi.com/produ ... e-xp-vista
I hope this helps..