I bought the Grabster AV250 with Ulead Movie Factory Version 3.0 a couple of days ago. I did all the necessary connection and software loading. I was looking forward to get some old movies on VHS on DVD by using Direct to DISC mode. Alas, every time I clicked on the start button, my PC just crashed.
I felt so frustrated about it all. I wonder whether I made the rigth choice of hardware and software. Please help ...where and what are the problems?
What is the Grabster? How is it connected to the computer?
Does it use a pci slot? Firewire/USB?
Did the hardware device come with any software for capturing?
Many times it's best to use the supplied software for capturing
dvd compliant video. The software is written for that specific device.
Then you open MovieFactory and import the video recorded from the
other program.
Thanks for reply to my query. The GrabsterAV250 is a tiny console and is connected to the PC via USB. Obviously connection for VCR to it is via normal audio and video cables.
The AV250 came with is driver software and Movie Factory 3.0.
I connected the AV205, then loaded the driver, then the Movie Factory software. I followed the instructions as per the softwares. But no luck.
The MovieFactory is meant to capture the output from the VCR and download straight to the disc.
Some years ago I fell into a similar trap although I would have never believed, and still don't, that a USB connection could give you the sustained transfer rates you need to be successful.
I bought an expensive analog capture card for that activity and was never happy with what I got. Now I use the AV through of my DV Camcorder to capture the analog footage I need via a fire wire connection.
In order to capture anlog video and transfer it to the PC in digital format, your "Grabster" would have to do a lot of serious number crunching in real time and send it via the USB port to your PC. Without knowing your device, I daubt that it will be able to do that. If it only works as a sort of adapter, to allow you to plug in your analog source and connect it to the PC, your PC would have to do the number crunching in real time and would have to be rather powerful. Even if it were, USB, even the high speed variety, will not be able to supply your PC with enough sustained data, to do that kind of work successfully.
Can you capture video the normal way using MF3?
After starting MF3 Create Video Disk -> DVD to create a DVD while on the timeline:
Click on the camcorder in the upper left corner.
The Grabster device should come up as "Source" in the top box.
If MF3 doesn't recognize the camcorder and says No Capture Driver then
click on the down-arrown then "Advanced Settings" then
"Change Capture Plugin"
The Grabster should show up as a choice in the Capture plugin module.
Select it, then you should be able to capture the standard method.
That device should be connected to a high-speed USB2 port or it
won't work correctly.
Direct to Disk via USB as Heinz says may not work. Many things can
go wrong burner/computer/media used. I've captured direct to disc using
firewire devices but not USB.
Get you capture the regular method as I posted withing the MF3 program?
If MF3 can with the device as a package it's probably a Special Edition to
work with that device and a driver written for the device.
If the device does work with MF3 then before upgrading to MF4 I would
contact Ulead to see if MF4 is compatible.
Help help