Video Studio X4 Hangs at Capture

[around+]

Hi all.

My capture card is a BlackGold BGT 3620 (which doesn't come with capture software). I had been using VideoStudio Pro X3 to capture VCRs through its analogue input (using S-Video) with no problems. However, I recently re-installed Windows (nothing different, it had just stopped working), and decided to give the trial version of VideoStudio Pro X4 a shot. When I go into the capture panel and click on "Capture Video", the "Source" field is blank, and the program completely hangs, so I have to kill it.

Of course, I can go back to X3, but sooner or later, it will no longer be supported, or there'll be some other reason I'm forced to upgrade, so I'd rather get this working.

Anyone know what might be going wrong? I tried running it as admin (although X3 used to work fine without it).

By the way, here's my set-up, if anyone needs to know:
Mobo: ASUS M4A79T Deluxe
RAM: 8 GiB DDR3
GPU: Palit NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (driver V. 275.33)
HDD: 3 x 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA II
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64. All service packs, updates, etc., installed.
Capture Device: BlackGold BGT 3620 (driver V. 8.1.0.0)
Capture Media: UK PAL VCR, from standard VCR player, through S-Video

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

And welcome to the forums……….

As you have been successful using X3 it makes sense to me to try that program.

There is no problem in installing X3 and X4 on your pc, although you can only run one at a time, however normally I would suggest installing the programs in order of age, oldest first.

If X3 gives the same problems then one could assume that the problem lies elsewhere.

Have you installed the drivers for the capture card.

[around+]

Thanks for your reply Trevor, and sorry I hadn't responded; I only just got round to testing all this.

As you suggested, I installed X3, and that worked perfectly, as always. Then I opened X4 again, and that started working. However, I have a couple of NTSC videos I want to capture (most are PAL), and when I tried changing the capture options in X4, to NTSC, it went back to how it was before, and now I can't get it working again. X3 still works fine.

As for drivers, yes, I have the latest version (see the second line from the bottom of my last post).


Thanks.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

As X3 seems to work ok I suppose we can assume there is an issue with X4.

There is an update/patch for X4, not sure if it is available for the trial version, but you can try.
VideoStudio® Pro X4 Service Pack

However we would normally suggest using the software that came with the card, but as there is no software?????

Have you tried Windows Media Centre to capture your video?
This web page seems to suggest that it would work.

[Black Lab]

Of course, I can go back to X3, but sooner or later, it will no longer be supported, or there'll be some other reason I'm forced to upgrade, so I'd rather get this working.

The software being supported has nothing to do with its ability to capture. Since X2 I have had problems with VS capturing (without getting into details let's just say it doesn't respond quick enough for me). So to this day I still capture with v10, then import those captured clips into X4 for editing.

If X3 captures for you, capture away. Then import those clips into X4 for editing.

[around+]

Thanks for your suggestions, Trevor.

Unfortunately, the service pack was one of the first things I tried, and it didn't help.

As for Media Center: I can use it to record DVB, but it won't work with composite or S-Video unless I also have an IR receiver, hence my reliance on Video Studio (I might buy a receiver, but I don't even know if that would fully solve my problem).

The software being supported has nothing to do with its ability to capture.

Thanks Black Lab, I am aware of this. It's just that I'd rather use a piece of software that's officially supported than one that's not, otherwise no more patches, service packs, etc., and I can't go direct to Corel for support. Also, when I upgraded form XP to 7, I had to give-up a lot of old programs that I was very happy with, and start using the new versions, which were pitiful. So although it's not a necessity yet, I'd rather get new versions of stuff working than remain tied to the old ones until I'm forced to upgrade for one reason or another.

I was just hoping that someone would have had a similar problem and have found a magic cure, but it looks like I'll have to do as you guys suggest, and stick with X3. In the meantime, I'll contact Corel and see if they have a solution.

Thanks for all your help.

[Ron P.]

Out of curiosity, in the Preferences on the Capture tab, do you have checked;

• Press OK to capture. Sometimes for unknown reasons this can have an effect. The only time I've used this was back when the analog-DV problem appeared. For a short time it allowed me to capture analog video using A-D pass-through.
• Show Recover DVB-T Video warning before capturing. I don't recall if this is on by default.