More sync problems, using EasyCap

[BruceBanna]

I've been reading, I think, the entire internet and the only thing I'm sure of right now is that a lot of people are having sync problems.

I've got an EasyCap USB AV-grabber, model 108 ( http://www.szforwardvideo.com/product/Pro_7_6.html ) with the latest drivers as per the official site.
I've tried it with my stationary PC (XP SP3) as well as my laptop (XP SP2) and they both produce the same problem.

Some capture software gives me a BSOD, for example VirtualDub. Just going to capture mode will do it.

Most capture software works though, for example VirtualVCR and AMCap. I've tried about 10 different programs in total.

I like VirtualVCR the best because of it's configuration options. I capture to 704x576 in HuffYUV and PCM 48kHz audio, and afterwards use VDub to do some cropping, levels and then frameserve it to an MPEG encoder. Sources vary from VHS, Laserdisc to camcorders.

However, audio sync is always an issue, and it seems to vary between simple offset to gliding sync from capture to capture, at least in VHS captures - I'm guessing from dropped frames.

I've tried every setting (resample audio, sync to master stream video/audio, etc etc) that I've managed to Google and scour from many forums and threads, but to no avail.

But here's the kicker: It works with AMCap. At least within the 15 minute capture limit of the demo version. Supposedly there's an earlier version which is freeware, but as far as I can gather it only does completely uncompressed video. The simple solution is obvious, buy AMCap.

But I just want to know - what is AMCap doing that other programs isn't? How can I get VirtualVCR to do that? And finally, why won't VDub let me capture when I often read that people use it with this product?

And please, I'd be happy if you'd refrain from comments of the type "you get what you pay for" and other insinuations that I'm cheap and should go buy a proper product. I could, but that doesn't change the fact that this product *should* work and *does* work for others.

I'm very thankful for any help.

[Ghitulescu]

For VDub you need to use VfW drivers and not the more usual WDM ones.
There is also a version of vdub that corrects the synch on the go.
I can't help you further I do the hardware way. Only.

PS: The comment "It's no EasyCap" was not under interdiction ;)

[manolito]

For VDub you need to use VfW drivers and not the more usual WDM ones.
This is ancient history. VDub can use WDM drivers for a long long time now.

For handling audio sync issues I have not found a better app than VDub so far. VirtualVCR is not bad up to a certain point, but when the required correction gets too big, it just gives up.

The fact that VDub causes a BSOD by just entering capture mode indicates that something in the setup must be very wrong. I would recommend to join the VDub forum and ask for help there.


Cheers
manolito

[rcubed]

BruceBanna,

I capture with a Canopus ADVC-100 over firewire and use a program called AV-IO. I started using this program several years ago after I couldn't get other capture programs not to drop frames etc. In the case of the ADVC it produces an AVI with the video and audio embedded. I've never had the ADVC/AV-IO combo drop frames. I also use a Canopus Pegasus capture card for capturing HD, but it is rather pricey. The Pegasus comes with it's own capture software.

I don't know if AV-IO will work with your device, but there is a trial version available http://www.avi-io.com/ The program breaks up the capture into block sizes settable in the program. I had difficulties with sizes greater than 1G when spanning drives. But it has served me well. If the 1st file of the group for a capture is loaded into VirtDub, the remainder will automatically be loaded and appended.

Let us know how you make out.

rcubed

[Ghitulescu]

I capture with a Canopus ADVC-100 over firewire and use a program called AV-IO.
You can't have dropped frames using FireWire, because it's all digital transfer (COPY/PASTE), well, I assume you have a HDD that can accomodate 25Mbps (some 5MB/s, which all of them can, including most SmartCards) and a capturing card with "non broken" chips (it was a case at the beginning with some TI chips and W2k).

WinDV is freeware, rock-solid, few kB long and can split the AVI at time discontinuities (scene change).

[BruceBanna]

Thanks for your suggestions. However AVI-IO reboots my system, and WinDV (which I've used before with DV devices and is awesome) "cannot find DV output pin".
I've scoured the VDub forum but not found an answer, and will post a question there.

[rcubed]

BruceBanna,

The only problem I have had sometimes is getting the program started and properly detecting the device connected. There seems to be an issue with respect to when the attached device is powered up in conjunction to when a signal is present on the ADVC-100 vs when the program is started. Sometimes I flounder for a couple of minutes, but get it sorted out.

I've never had it cause a reboot on my system though.

Sorry it didn't work out for you.

rcubed

[manolito]

@BruceBanna

here's just a couple of tips how you might get VDub to work:

The current stable version 1.97 can crash in certain situations. You should either use a 1.98 test version, or you can go back to version 1.6.19 (I use FCCHandler's MPEG2 version). AFAIK the capture module has not been improved since this version.

Before firing up VDub in capture mode make sure to delete all capture settings in the registry. The settings are located here:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Freeware\VirtualDub\Capture
You should delete the whole key.

Before you select your capture device in the "Device" menu, make sure that an input signal is present. I did experience crashes when my external audio converter was off while starting VDub in capture mode.

In the "Video" menu try to use Preview instead of Overlay.

In the "Audio" menu do not enable audio playback.

For the capture timing options the defaults are very good. On my (rather slow) system I have disabled "Correct video timing for fewer frame drops". Just resampling the audio always gives me perfect sync, even for a badly damaged VHS tape. All other timing options can be left at the defaults.

I always capture blind (Hide Display on Capture), but again this is due to my slow system.

If you still get a BSOD then the only other thing I could think of is to not use the EasyCap device for audio. Plug the audio into your sound card and select the sound card as your audio source in VDub.

Good luck
manolito

[manolito]

@BruceBanna

But here's the kicker: It works with AMCap. At least within the 15 minute capture limit of the demo version. Supposedly there's an earlier version which is freeware, but as far as I can gather it only does completely uncompressed video. The simple solution is obvious, buy AMCap.

I found a version of AMCap which can use your installed video compressors and is still free. Here it is:
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/btwincap/wdmmiscutils2.73.zip?download

It is not very convenient to use IMO - it forgets all settings between sessions, but maybe it will work for you...

Good luck
manolito