VideoStudio

[bowl3001999]

Hi, I need some help desperately!

I am trying to transfer 8mm tapes to my computer to make DVD's. I bought a "Startech S-Video / Composite to USB Video Capture Cable w/ TWAIN and Mac® Support" so that I could use any software w/it. I thought I could use Microsoft Movie Maker, but it doesn't work. So, I got VideoStudio Essentials X4 with the capture device. All my tapes are fine, and they play fine with I'm capturing...but when I go to view the video, it's jumpy. I only did a few minutes to see how it would do and that's where I hit a wall. I've emailed with Corel support for almost 2 months to find out that they don't support the software I got. As a last resort, he asked that I download the free version of VideoStudio Pro X4. I did, and still the same thing happens.

I can give you anything you want about my computer that will help...but I have Googled this issue until the cows came home (and went back out!) I even contact Startech, and they weren't able to help (this was all before I contacted Corel). I just want to use this software, but if go and try another software, will the same thing happen? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Between my sister and myself we have about 20 tapes to convert, and my Mom is on a lot of those, and we lost her last year. I do not want to send these out, they cannot be replaced.

Thanks!
Wendy

[Ken Berry]

I don't know anything about your specific capture device -- don't think I have heard of it before. But can you right click one of the files you have captured, either in the VS timeline or its library window, and copy ALL of its properties here please? That will at least tell us what format you are using.

Also, do you happen to have a mini DV camcorder and a Firewire port on your computer? It could be that you could use the camcorder as a passthrough device and capture the video that way in DV/AVI format which is stable and easy to edit, and easily converted to DVD-compatible mpeg-2.

Personally, for my own 8 mm tapes, I use a Sony Digital 8 camcorder which will play the analogue 8mm tapes (and also Hi8 tapes) directly. Again you would need Firewire, though. You can sometimes find such camcorders for sale second hand on the web at cheap prices... Mine is a DCR-TRV480.

[bowl3001999]

Hi Ken, thank you so much for your quick reply! You gave me more information in one hour than I got in two months from Corel...imagine that So, I've attached a bitmap image of the properties, I couldn't seem to copy it and it would be a lot to write down. So, hopefully, it will show up.

I don't have a mini DV camcorder, but I do have a Firewire port.

I don't have a digital camcorder, but it's possible that my Father has one, or I can see if I can find one to borrow from a friend. Not to sound stupid, but how would that work?

[ianwoody123]

Hi Like Ken I have used a Sony Digital 8 camcorder to capture 8mm tapes to pc using firewire. Admittedly I am using the PAL format but I have found that if you capture in dv mode which captures as avi format it delivers a much better result than recording in mpeg. I have just converted footage from someones vhs tapes onto dvd using a panasonic NV-GS400 camcorder as a conduit to the laptop and made the mistake at one point of not selecting dv and instead captured in mpeg format and the quality was markedly worse than capturing in avi format. Needless to say I had to repeat the exercise using the dv setting and the result was much better. I then edited the footage on the timeline and used "detail enhancer" which further improved the end result.

[bowl3001999]

Ken, how would that work using a digital camcorder?

Ian, I did try to change the setting to AVI...and now it won't even capture my video.

[Ken Berry]

Since you have 8mm tapes, I assume you have an old analogue camcorder. Those usually (?) had output using yellow (video) and red/white or black/white RCA plugs for connecting to a VCR or TV. Well you would need to get a cable with the RCA plugs at one end, but using a standard 3.5 mm plug at the other end. If you can get a DV digital camcorder with an AV-in socket, you connect the analogue and digital camcorders with such a cable. Then you connect the DV camcorder to your computer using its mini firewire port to a firewire port on a computer to capture, setting DV/AVI as the capture format. You have to be patient, though, since firewire captures in real time i.e. it will take one hour to capture a one hour 8mm tape....

Using a Sony Digital 8 camcorder is much easier. You simply put your analogue 8mm tape into the Sony and set it to playback. Connect the Sony to your computer using a firewire cable, and Bob's your uncle!

[bowl3001999]

Thank you so much Ken! I can get my hands on a digital camcorder. However, it's not a Sony, but a Canon (ZR45MC). The camcorder has a usb cable, but no firewire. Sorry to sound so "not techy", but how will that work? I tried to google it, but my sister has the camera right now, and she only sees the usb, no firewire. Can I still transfer using the digital camera, or does it have to have a firewire port? Thanks so much...you don't know what a big help you have been!

[bowl3001999]

Thank you so much Ken! I can get my hands on a digital camcorder. However, it's not a Sony, but a Canon (ZR45MC). The camcorder has a usb cable, but no firewire. Sorry to sound so "not techy", but how will that work? I tried to google it, but my sister has the camera right now, and she only sees the usb, no firewire. Can I still transfer using the digital camera, or does it have to have a firewire port? Thanks so much...you don't know what a big help you have been!

Wow, I cannot believe I could actually just call Canon and get an answer! This does have a DV in/out and that is where I'd put the firewire cable, correct?

[Ken Berry]

Yes, it will have a mini firewire port, so you will need a firewire cable with a mini 4-pin plug at one end, and a standard size plug at the other end which goes into the computer...

[bowl3001999]

Thank you so, so much! I only have the free trial for about 10 more days, so I will probably have to use VideoStudio Essentials X4, which came with the converter (unless maybe I could sell said converter and then be able to buy VIdeoStudio Pro.) Thanks again!

[bowl3001999]

Well, the best laid plans! The digital camera I got from my father is for MINI tapes. I am trying now to use mine as "pass-through". I've connected the red/yellow cables from my Sony to the Canon, and then I got a 4 to 6 pin firewire cable and that is plugged into my computer. But, it's not working Darn, I am getting so frustrated. Any ideas?

[lata]

Hi

For Pass through some cameras require that you remove the tape?

Also my Panasonic GS400 needs the menu setting for DV - Out

[canuck]

Hi

For Pass through some cameras require that you remove the tape?

Also my Panasonic GS400 needs the menu setting for DV - Out

For my Sony camcorder I have to have a tape in the camera for the pass-through to work.

[bowl3001999]

Thank you Lata. So, Ken, I read your post again, and surprise, I do have the cable you are describing. So, now, the video shows up on the digital camcorder. But, my capturing software is not recognizing it. The DV out is set to on, if I set it to off, you don't see the video on the digital camcorder. It seems like I am SO close...any ideas/help? Pro X5 is just grayed out for the video source (which you had said to set to DV/AVI). Thanks for the help!!!

[lata]

Hi

Ignoring the fact that you are trying to use Pass-through.

Are you able to set up the connections and capture a Mini-DV tape.
At least we will know if the camera is connected correctly.

Then add the A/V red / yellow cables.