Tech: Video capture problem

Subject: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 06:51 AM

I have been trying to put some old Folk footage I recorded years ago on VHS into my Dell 5150 to transfer to DVD. I have been using Nero for my sound recordings for some years and never had problems, however, I have been in contact with them over the past three weeks ( they take at least two days to reply to tech emails) trying to sort it, all to no avail, in fact I think the latest communication is gently trying to tell me to get lost,as they have now deciced it might be my video card is not compatible with their program, very nice, seeing that I paid good money to buy the program in the first place, although to be fair, they have probably just run out of ideas.

The thing that I cannot understand is that if I clear the program off the computer and reinstall it, then open it, it works perfectly for as long as I stay connected. If I switch off and leave it overnight for instance, when I try to open it I get the message "Failed to initialize the capture device, check the settings" but the settings are exactly the same as when I switched off. No matter how many times I try it comes up with the same message.

If I clear it off again and reinstall, hey presto! it works again until I switch it off.

Even with being "computer challenged" my common sense tells me that if it works each time I reinstall, surely the capture card must be compatible. The fact that I CAN get it to work perfectly, although having to reinstall the program each time, makes it worse than if it didn't work at all.

I have tried a couple of other "trial video programs" but they do not seem to want to work, and I would prefer to stay with Nero if I can sort it,

Hopefully there is a simple solution, something I have missed, can someone please come up with some suggestions before my reasonably new highly recommended Dell machine goes out the window.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: jeffp
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 06:58 AM

Check around the internet for free video editing software. One of them might work for the capture step. Once that is done, you can import the video files into Nero for editing. Might be a suitable workaround.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 08:11 AM

Thanks jeffp, I have tried a couple and they both do the same, the picture is there but all little squares like when something is blanked out on the TV (faces, number plates). and there is no sound, so something is not quite right.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: jeffp
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 10:02 AM

Could there be a compatability problem between PAL and NTSC?

I'm just shooting in the dark here.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 10:09 AM

Could be with the "others". Nero asks which one you want to capture/record in and the picture is mostly ok. Thinking about it though, it has happened sometimes in Nero.

I am now getting totally confused, I think the best thing I can do is forget about video and just keep to sound.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: jeffp
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 10:15 AM

Or, if you money available, get a digital video camera. Then it's a simple firewire connection. You can also use the camera as a digitizing interface between the VCR and the computer.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: Amos
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 10:34 AM

Or get a Dazzle for capturing from your VHS player.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:07 PM

I've already spent a small fortune, the interface is a DV Xtream Pro box which is supposed to take VHS video/S video/ and others and is connected by firewire to the computer card. It obviously works cos I get perfect pictures when I reinstall Nero, as I explained.

Amos, excuse my ignorance but what is a Dazzle?

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: scouse
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:27 PM

Hi Wilby,Don't use Nero that's a load of "Crap." when you tryin' to capture Video to your HD. By all means use Nero software to burn the DvD. If you've got a good Tv card and your getting good Tv onto your Comp. for 79. Bucks you can downloadWinDVR 3. Great to record with as you can, if you wish make a Dvd of different Quality I.E. Good. Better. Best..Best being DvD Quality. I've used it for quite a while now without any problems.. in fact just done the Folk Britannia that was shown on B.B.C.Done it with the better quality and it's very watchable..
As Aye,
Phil

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: open mike
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:31 PM

maybe you could transfer it to dvd..

or have someone else digitize the data

then input to NERO...

i have been studying video production..
and we use a video editing unit called
a CasaBlanca to work with the image and
audio information.

good luck and tell us what you sort out.

do you use Nero on an "IBM compatible"
computer? many audio and video pros
use MACs these days as there are supposedly
more options available on that operating system.

what format are you transferring the data in?
mpeg? i have heard good things about I-Movie...
perhaps that is a MAC application, too?

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: open mike
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:34 PM

you might also ask Olle Paulsson in Sweden
he has a recording company and also has a
whole load of videos up on the internet at
www.tvfolk.net so he may have some ideas.

his recording business is www.drone.se

tell him Laurel sent ya~

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 01:14 PM

Thanks all, some good suggestions,

scouse, I have to disagree about Nero cos WHEN it works it is brilliant, captures good quality pictures and I can do a hell of a lot with editing, like adding effects and titles etc.,

open mike, I can certainly record video to DVD as I have a machine that does it direct, the reason I want to get it into Nero is so that I can edit and add titles etc.

I JUST WISH SOMEONE COULD TELL ME WHY IT ONLY WORKS WHEN I REINSTALL IT.

If the worst comes to the worst, then I will just have to reinstall every time I need to do some editing.

Thanks for the suggestions anyway, I will certainly look into some of them.

Keep them coming please!! (I still have no idea what a Dazzle might be Amos :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: jeffp
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 01:19 PM

If you can send it direct to DVD, you should be able to import it from the DVD into the computer and then use Nero to edit it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 01:26 PM

Could it be a permissions problem, eg. you are installing as an admin and finding it works than but otherwise operating as a user?

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 01:30 PM

AM I THICK OR WHAT!!!!!!!!

Jeff that sounds like a brilliant suggestion, why didn't I think of that, I'm going to try it now, thanks.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 01:33 PM

Jon, that sounds like it could explain it, the only trouble is I haven't a clue how to check to find out.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 01:38 PM

On Win 2K, go to Start/Settings/Control panel and open Users and Passwords.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 02:07 PM

I am using XP but I had a look and I am listed as administrator, is that good or bad I wonder.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 02:08 PM

Well if you are administrator, you should have all the permissions needed.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 02:20 PM

Thanks Jon, the mystery deepens.

Jeff it worked, so one way I can get over it is to put it on DVD then import it for editing, bit of a bind but better than nothing.

Meanwhile still got the problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: jeffp
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 02:37 PM

At least you have a workaround. I'm glad it worked.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 07:25 PM

If the source is external to the computer, it's possible that the connection to the external device isn't made when you reboot, especially if the external device is turned off during the reboot.

When you install the program, it (apparently) is smart enough to look for the device it needs and install the appropriate driver/codec and such - but Windows may not load the driver automatically during a reboot unless the device is turned on and connected.

When you plug in (or turn on) something new, Windows usually will recognize "compliant" devices and automatically look for the drivers, but if the external device isn't compatible with current PnP specs, it may go "unnoticed."

Just random speculation of something to keep in the back of the brain bucket while you look for real answers(?).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 01:09 PM

Would it not just be easier to transfer onto a DVD recorder linked to video recorder. I transferred all my videos over to disc last year, big improvement. It you want it done I have a set up here, pm me.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: open mike
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 03:52 AM

willyhillybilly is already a transfer pro
so this should come quite easily as soon as thew misdsing link is found.
i want to learn to digitize audio and video media, too.

Subject: RE: Tech: Video capture problem
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 03:58 AM

Thanks John, but I usually switch the recorder on before going into the Nero program, as it happens I just tried it and it seems to have worked today, so it is still a complete mystery.

Divis, thanks for the offer, but I have a DVD/VHS recorder so it is no problem to transfer direct onto disc, the reason I want to load the videos first is to be able to add titles and effects as well as edit certain pieces.

Anyway thanks for all the help, I at least have a way to do it now thanks to Jeff.

PS. Would have replied before but had a 503 error all day yesterday!