Capturing VHS not working

[nick2903]

Hi guys, I'm running X5 on Windows 7 and I'm trying to put a VHS tape to DVD. I have a Winfast VC100 U capturing device with the red white and yellow cables plugged into the VCR. The video plays through X5 (with no sound) and when I press the 'capture video' button, it says its capturing, but in the information box, the available space does not budge. Once I stop the capture and go to the edit screen it has only saved a video of 2 frames.
I have never tried to capture a VHS tape before so I would like to know if I am doing something wrong.
My current video settings are:
Input source - Composite
TV System - PAL B
Thanks, Nick

[canuck]

Why not use the software that came with the device. I have found that most capture devices work best with the software that was designed for the device.
Once captured you should be able to use VS X5 to do editing etc.

[lata]

Hi Nick

Good advice from canuck, the VC100 uses Arcsoft ShowBiz DVD2 software.
Captures to Mpeg2 with a variety of quality settings, think it defaults to 5000kbps, i think DVD 2 give better capture options than the VS templates.

Did you install the software that came with the device as this will also install the drivers. However the google search showed the System Requirements for XP and Vista, but did not list W7.
ftp://ftp.leadtek.com.tw/tv_tuner/VC100 ... 12(A)E.pdf

Recording sound should be set to USB input

[nick2903]

Thanks for your replies. I originally installed the driver for the device from their website and it didn't work. I then went hunting through my cds and came across the software that came with the device and reinstalled the drivers and the capture software. It now works but only 50% of the time through X5. I have to unplug the device and plug it back in again if it doesn't work which is good enough for me at this stage.

Also, when capturing through X5, it gives me options for extended play, standard, high quality, low quality and the like. But only with extended play does it allow me to capture it as frame based rather than upper field, but the resolution is very low. Is there a way to capture in high quality as frame based? Or is that just the way VHS capturing is?

[BrianCee]

The suggestion was that you use the actual software which came with the device to capture the video as a standard mpeg or .avi - it sounds as though you are still trying to use VideoStudio to capture.

have you tried using the software that came with the device to capture to a folder on your hard drive - then after you have captured import that file into VideoStudio ?

[lata]

Hi

Capturing analogue using Video Studio.
Using older versions of video studio allowed us to manually set the capture properties giving us much more control.
The latest versions took away the manual approach and provided us with preset templates, I think this was a backward step on the part of Corel.

When we connect a capture device what Video Studio offers as capture options depends on the type of device connected.
So an internal capture card will give different options to what you see, so it is difficult for us to comment on what you see.

Some options of extended play may also half the frame size.

After connecting the device choose DVD as the capture format, infact VS may not give you the choice to change this.
I have a Ezcap device, the only option I find suitable is the DVD PAL AC3 GQ
Unfortunately it uses 8000kbps, when VHS at 5000 would be suitable.

If you are stuck in using VS to capture then use that, but will limit the disc to approx 60 minutes
otherwise render the captured file using a lower data rate to allow for more minutes per disc.

-------------------------------------

Analogue video uses Upper Field, if you are wanting Frame Based you may be best capturing to interlaced then converting to Frame Based

Why do you want Frame Based

What are you trying to make?

How long is your captured files?
I assumed you are intending to burn a standard DVD? but maybe not?

----------------------------------

You are best using the Arcsoft ShowBiz DVD2 software to capture your footage as confirmed by Brian

[VinnyC]

lata, which versions are you talking about? I was thinking of getting X2-hopefully this isn't one of the newer versions you were refering to. I really liked being able to set my bit rate, etc. based on the length of a VHS movie I was converting.

[nick2903]

X5 is still playing up, this time its not capturing the audio. I have decided to do as some have mentioned and use the Showbiz 2 software that the capturing device came with. So far so good. I will import the video into X5 to edit it.
I haven't dealt with Upper field video before and when I play it back on my computer it has those lines through it. Will it be like this when I burn it to DVD and play it back on my LCD TV? What settings will I have to render it with to avoid that?

[lata]

VinnyC
Hi
Using X2 gave capture Formats as MPEG, VCD, SVCD and DVD
The DVD option only provided set templates.
The MPEG had an Advanced option that allowed me to create my own template.
I captured using the properties shown below.

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3 or 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 5000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo
--------------------------------

Using X4 and X5 only gives the DVD option and standard templates.
The best properties I could set to Pal DVD full frame size are shown below

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3 or16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

I cannot set the Video Data Rate other than 8000kbps

X2 VS12 worked ok for me as a capture software for Ezcap USB connection

As I mentioned earlier for each capture device connected video studio will provide different capture formats to suite the device. An internal capture card giving different options to the Ezcap device.

My Panasonic Mini DVD connects via firewire and gives different options again. It can be used as Passthrough and i would probably use that option in preference to using Ezcap when capturing VHS.

[lata]

Hi Nick

Capturing the video should use the original source field order, Analogue video generally uses Upper Field First for its interlacing, and should not cause problems.
You could try capturing to Frame Based which should be suitable for the LCD TV and PC

There is a choice under Options--Preferences to set Computer Progressive, this will capture to frame based. (Arcsoft Showbiz)