VS8 SE and ADVC-110

to_da_student · Post by **to_da_student** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:49 pm

DISCLAIMER: Just learning video capture / multi-media aspects of computing. This may be just a hardware issue, but since so many people posting here are familiar with the Canopus ADVC line, thought I would give it a shot. Sorry so long!

I am having problems capturing. There is a constant hum / drone / whine in the audio, low quality in picture, edge shadows moving in and out, picture breakup, and what looks like intermittent loss of horizontal sync (couple of seconds then stabilize). I assume from the number of problems that either; I have a defective product, or my setup is lacking something (codec conflict?), my guess is the latter. I have read most of the ADVC posts and have tried several of the suggestions. Problems exist in capture preview and playback. I also have the problems with after capture with either both leds light up and have to disconnect the device or it switches to Digital and have to switch back, but might be related to VS8 SE since did not notice it doing that in other software. Also bothersome is the fact that VS8 does not seem to identify the ADVC in the capture device, just lists as generic unknown DV (cant remember the exact name in dropdown box). Only option is DV capture, but that makes sense because the ADVC only outputs DV capture.

Here is what I have checked:

Software:
VS8 SE with SE patches
Windows XP SP2 w/ All Updates as of 7/18/2005
Disabled Norton Programes
Disabled SpywareGuard (doubt that matters)

Thought it might be something with all the different software installed, and previous hardware (little cheesy USB dazzle capture) so I removed (add/remove programs) everything that had to do with ULEAD & DAZZLE installs and just reinstalled VS8 SE.

Hardware:
Disabled 1394 networking
ADVC-110 shows up in Device Manager as DV tape/recorder …
1394 device is OHCI compliant according to Device Manager
Tried VCR tape from VCR output and TV output
Tried baseball game (cable feed) from VCR and TV output
Different SW 1 settings (not really sure what that does)
Based on the sticker on the bottom of the ADVC-110
1 -? - Input Select Mode (tried on and off)
2 -(off) - Power-on Input mode on -> Analog
3 -(off) - Audio Mode -> 48KHz_16bit
4 -(off) - Locked Audio Mode -> Locked
5 -(on) - NTSC Setup Level -> 7.5 IRE
6 -(off) - Video Format -> NTSC

Not promoting any of these phased out products, but with hardware sometimes it pays to be specific.
Dell Dimension 8250
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/s ... tm#1084976
Intel Pentium 4 2.53 GHz
http://processorfinder.intel.com/script ... orSpd=5409
1.2GB 1066 RAMBUS
Aopen Aeolus TI4200 8X-DVC128(N8)
http://global.aopen.com.tw/Products/vga ... 28(N8).htm
60GB & 200GB Drives (OEM & WD)
HITACHI LG 48X/32X CDRW (OEM)
Pioneer DVRA09 XLB
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/p ... lComponent
Adaptec FireConnect 4300
http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/suppor ... marea=prod

Ready to try anything, not limited to Nuke / reinstall of XP if that might help.

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:03 pm

Nothing stands out as being wrong with your setup. What are your capture properties? (see sticky post on Procedure)

The Field Order property may not be set properly. The ADVC-110 converts an analog video source material into DV. Analog capture usually requires Upper Field First but this device may be converting it to Lower Field First, as is common in most DV camcorders.
John

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 6:48 pm

The ADVC-110 will have problems if the analog source contains a Macrovision subsignal. The symptoms will be those that you have described (except for the audio problem).

There is an undocumented feature that allows you to bypass Macrovision detection, but if the problems are in fact being caused by a poor video signal sync and not Macrovision, this won't help you. The only solution in that case is an external TBC or a something like the ADVC-300.

to_da_student · Post by **to_da_student** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:19 pm

[quote="jchunter"] What are your capture properties? [/quote]

Sorry, I had read that, but I have not figured how to get those from VS8 SE, the gear does not have any capture options other than "sound" and "to library". When I had the full version of VS8 installed I did try changing the order, but it did not seem to matter. I have eschewed making any more software changes until I rule out other possibilities.

From what I have read on the web it should not matter?

Seems most people just plug this device in and it works with VS.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:23 pm

... and since you are capturing in DV format, you might want to check whether VS8 is capturing Type 1 Encoder (which is probably best for you) or Type 2 (which causes problems for a lot of people). If the latter, then you might want to experiment with changing it to the former if this is possible with your ADVC...

to_da_student · Post by **to_da_student** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:32 pm

[quote="THoff"]if the analog source contains a Macrovision subsignal.[/quote]

I thought that was on the VCR tapes? Could that be the case with the signal coming out of my TV for the CTV (Comcast) signal?

[quote="THoff"] There is an undocumented feature that allows you to bypass Macrovision detection.[/quote]

I tried that, where you hold the button down and the color bars appear and then go away and the Macrovision is filtered out until you cycle power. It seems that my unit does not produce the color bars no matter how long I held the button down (about a minute), wouldnt know about the signal filter.

[quote="THoff"]if the problems are in fact being caused by a poor video signal sync and not Macrovision, this won't help you. [/quote]

bad Cables?

poor video signal sync

[quote="THoff"] The only solution in that case is an external TBC or a something like the ADVC-300.[/quote]

I have read several of your post in other threads, but in the one thread you and coalman (I think) were discussing the TBC. Is that really important if I just want to copy some home movies on VHS tape to DVD? I tried reading some technical stuff about time-base-corrector but my eyes started glazing over since I really know very little about video. From everything I have read, it seemed to me all I needed was the 110. I dont need anything really fancy or production quality. All of my source material is new and most of it I think is pretty good quality (In amateurish terms)

[/quote]

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:34 pm

The DV type has nothing to do with the hardware itself, it only applies to how the DV data stream is recorded on disk within AVI files. There is nothing you can (or need to do) on the ADVC to change the DV type, it is purely an application setting.

to_da_student · Post by **to_da_student** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:39 pm

Ken Berry wrote:check whether VS8 is capturing Type 1 Encoder (which is probably best for you) or Type 2 (which causes problems for a lot of people).

Yea! I read about that today, how; VS defaults to Type 2, while most people need Type 1. Can that be changed in VS8 SE?

Ken Berry wrote: if this is possible with your ADVC...

Not possible, the ADVC takes analog to DV, thats all, is not controallable for output and does not process any control codes. Got one button to switch between digital input and analog input. Doesnt even have on/off switch

Oh, I just also figure out why my quotes were not boxed

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:45 pm

It is conceivable that a cable or satellite signal includes Macrovision protection, especially for PPV programs, to prevent you from recording the premium content. Comcast and Macrovision are part of the Coral Consortium that is pushing for interoperable DRM implementations.

You can try hooking up a VCR and attempting to record using that -- if the program includes a Macrovision subsignal, you won't be able to record it, or you'll get the visual distortions you mentioned earlier. Similarly, any good-quality signal that your VCR can record, the ADVC-110 should be able to handle as well.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:50 pm

With VS 8 open at the Capture page, and it being set by defaul to DV, click on the cogwheel icon about a third of the way down the left hand side of screen 'Options'. You will see that it will indicate which Encoder Type has been set, and allow you to change it.

to_da_student · Post by **to_da_student** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 10:56 pm

THoff wrote:conceivable that a cable or satellite signal includes Macrovision protection ...
any good-quality signal that your VCR can record, the ADVC-110 should be able to handle as well.

If it came in on the initial signal then I would not be able to record it on my VCR

Now that I can understand. I dont think I like Macrovision

to_da_student · Post by **to_da_student** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:39 am

Thanks for all the suggestions and info. Turns out that I had a bad cable

I should have checked that before posting. Solved all my problems except the switch to digital after record. I will research that more before I post again. Thanks again for all your help.

charles