Video Capture Causes my System to Freeze up

[Lardzor]

I'm using an MSI NX6600GT with a Core2 Duo E6400 @2.24Ghz
It runs Prime95 stable for at least several hours on the torture test setting.

My problem is that whenever I try to use the Video capture feature, my system will freeze up shortly thereafter. As soon as I get live video on my screen, it will take from .0001 second to a couple of minutes before it freezes up my system to the point where I can't Ctrl+Alt+Del, or even move the mouse. I need to hold in the power button on the case for a few seconds to cold-boot.

I have tried reformatting and reinstalling XP from scratch with no difference. I have also tried all the versions of Nvidia's WDM driver I could find but this did not fix the problem. I looked for other drivers from manufacturers that used the same video capture chip (Philips SAA7115), but couldn't find any that would install.

I tried useing the video capture in:
Media Player Classic, VirtualDub, and Cyberlink PowerProducer all with the same problem of a hard lock shortly after initializing video in.

I'm hoping someone has an idea that may help me solve this problem.

[Revgen]

How good is your power supply?

Capping can stress your video card, CPU, and especially HDD drives if your capping lossless. There may not be enough power going to your system.

Then again, you say you ran Prime 95 just fine, so I'm not sure exactly what it could be.

Also, if you think your power supply is good, go to www.memtest86.com and create a boot disk to use that program. It'll test your memory and see if it works fine without errors.

[Lardzor]

How good is your power supply?

Capping can stress your video card, CPU, and especially HDD drives if your capping lossless.

Good point. My power supply is a 450 watt that powers the motherboard, video card, two HD's and two ROM drives. I think that should be enough, but I've never really checked it out. I'll try monitoring voltage levels on my next attempt to see if anything drops noticably.

Also, if you think your power supply is good, go to www.memtest86.com and create a boot disk to use that program. It'll test your memory and see if it works fine without errors.

Prime95 is supposed to test memory as well, but I'll give this a shot, it's better than just sitting here fuming in frustration.

Thanks for the tips, I'll get back later today I hope to let you know if there was any success.

Regards,

Lardzor.

[Revgen]

Good point. My power supply is a 450 watt that powers the motherboard, video card, two HD's and two ROM drives. I think that should be enough, but I've never really checked it out. I'll try monitoring voltage levels on my next attempt to see if anything drops noticably.


What brand is it? Power Supply companies are such liars sometimes. You really have to be carefull.

I typically trust PC Power and Cooling PSU's for their rating.

[Lardzor]

What brand is it? Power Supply companies are such liars sometimes. You really have to be carefull.


It's a 'Comp USA' branded power supply, which means it's a generic one I think. I see that it says it was made in China on the box. It also mentions "Dual temperature controlled double ball bearing fans assure proper airflow and low noise operation", if that's any mark of quality I don't know.

It's rated at 19Amps at 12v, and 22Amps at 5v.

BTW, I tried the Memtest program for a couple hours with no errors. I also used a voltage monitoring utility while I tried capturing again. It still locked up shortly after I initiated a live video stream, but I didn't notice any change in voltages when I started the video in.

I found this link that refers to another video capture chipset, but sounds almost exactly like what I am experiencing:

http://www.intel.com/support/createshare/camerapack/pci/sb/cs-011443.htm

I wonder if my motherboard chipset is to blame.

Regards,

Lardzor

[Revgen]

Well, I honestly wouldn't trust Generic PSU's. Especially if they are store brands.

BTW you can buy PSU testers at Fry's or other electronics stores. They cost about $20. http://shop2.outpost.com/%7BL8deXE3mwAzN7v9TF8e+gw**.node2%7D/product/4959051;jsessionid=L8deXE3mwAzN7v9TF8e+gw**.node2?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If it's a chipset issue than you could try flashing the BIOS with a new version if it's available. Go to the motherboard makers site, download it, and make a boot disc, unless they have a utility that allows you to do it in windows itself.

[setarip_old]

@Lardzor

Hi!I tried useing the video capture in:
Media Player Classic, VirtualDub, and Cyberlink PowerProducerWhat version number of VirtualDub did you try?

I ask because versions 1.5.xxx and earlier could not properly handle capturing without the addition of an "iffy" WDM "wrapper".

If you are using a v.1.5.xxx or earlier version, try using a 1.6.xxx or1.7.xxx version...

[Lardzor]

@Lardzor

Hi!What version number of VirtualDub did you try?

I ask because versions 1.5.xxx and earlier could not properly handle capturing without the addition of an "iffy" WDM "wrapper".

If you are using a v.1.5.xxx or earlier version, try using a 1.6.xxx or1.7.xxx version...

@setarip_old: I'm using 1.6.14 (build 24415) by Avery Lee. But it's not just Virtual Dub, or when I capture. It's anything that brings up a live video stream. I can use the 'Open Device' option from Media Player Classic, and there is a program called 'PowerProducer' that comes in the box with the video card, and they both do the same thing.

@Revgen: I just tried drastically underclocking my video card to half the stock core and memory speeds and it still locks up on me. I also have the latest motherboard bios and chipset drivers. It doesn't seem to matter what resolution I use either. I think I'm doomed with this card.

Here is a typical capture session for me:

http://tinyurl.com/3dktgd

This may be useful, it seems that when I do something relevent, it will freeze then. In this video, you can see it ends just as I click on the drag-bar to move the window. That's when my PC froze up.

I know I probably shouldn't use my video output as my video source, but it was doing just the same thing when I was using my camcorder, or my Wii. It's just that my camcorder and Wii have other obligations around this apartment and I needed a convienient video source.

Regards,

Lardzor

[Revgen]

Well, the last step I could recommend is going on Newegg and buying a cheap tuner. It could be the tuner itself.

Here's one for $40. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122180 It's compatible with Dscaler. It should also be compatible with Vdub if it has a WDM driver.

[Lardzor]

Well, the last step I could recommend is going on Newegg and buying a cheap tuner. It could be the tuner itself.

Here's one for $40. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122180 It's compatible with Dscaler. It should also be compatible with Vdub if it has a WDM driver.

It looks like I'm headed that way.

My understanding though is that Virtualdub requires a VFW (Video for Windows) driver, as supported by this article:

http://www.virtualdub.org/docs_capture.html

I think the Nvidia WDM driver is VFW compatible which is why it works with VirtualDub. Newer products I think will come strictly with WDM drivers since that's the way Microsoft is headed.

I'm getting a new video card as soon as BFG ships it back to me in a week or so. I'll be giving this one to my bro and I'll have a chance to see if it works any better on his system.

[squid_80]

The virtualdub docs are way out of date. It can capture using vfw or (preferably) directshow/wdm drivers.

(Other things wrong with docs_capture.html: DV capture is most definitely possible (with audio), compatibility mode has been removed, and it is possible to capture mpeg-1/2.)

[olyteddy]

My laptop used to lock up like that with my Hauppauge USB2 PVR and it turned out it was the VIA chipset drivers. Rolled back to the 'generic' Windows USB driver and it works fine now.

[Lardzor]

My laptop used to lock up like that with my Hauppauge USB2 PVR and it turned out it was the VIA chipset drivers. Rolled back to the 'generic' Windows USB driver and it works fine now.

Well, Mine is not the USB bus, but the AGP port. I'll see if I can try a PCI or AGP generic driver though, thanx for the tip.

[Surf]

Hello Lardzor,

Before you go buy this n that, try to obtain a program called GSpot which may or may not tell you that you have a broken codec....

This happened to me as soon as I un-installed a rarely used POWERDVD. The process seemed to have sever a link in directshow something something....

Also try capture with a program called VIRTUALVCR, I have a great success with it.

Good luck.

[Lardzor]

Well, I got a 7800GS 256MB. My brother got my old 6600GT and video capture works without any problems on his motherboard. If I do any video capture, guess I'll just have to do in on his computer. My 7800GS does not have VIVO.