AverTV stereo

[stl]

I recently started capturing analog altough I've been doing digital for some time. I bought this AverTV stereo card and hooked up a VCR. It works fine except for 2 things.

1-in settings there is an option for choosing the drive to capture to and to specify the name of the file. the problem is that when you select specify it doesn't prompt you for the name.

2-when I press record to capture, the program gives this error.
"AverTV has generated errors and will be closed by windows"

I think part of the problem is that I'm using a composite cable from my cam for just the audio. the video has it's own cable. However I'd appreciate some advice from more experienced people regarding analog capture. Also, since I can play the tapes can I use another program to do the actual capture with this setup.

[BaronVlad]

Which program do you use ? did you try VDub ? If not, then do it, I think it will convince you

[Swan]

Stl,I see on Avermedia's site that it ships with "AverTV Stereo 4.21". I think it's the same as the software that came with my Aver TV Studio. It is very poor ;)
But.. the problem is that when you select specify it doesn't prompt you for the name.
As I recall (I uninstalled it and have been using other softwares since)it does not ask you to name the captured file until you stop a capture. Then, a window pops up and asks for the file name.
But as I understand it, AverTV hangs when you start to capture?
Then it's understandable why you've never seen the prompt to name the captured file.
Like BaronVlad suggested, do try to use other software. VirtualDub is one suggestion (it's free), but if you want to capture with mpeg-1 or mpeg-2 compression (like you do with AverTV), I recommend Cyberlink's PowerVCR or Intervideo's WinDVR. I prefer the first, but it's a matter of taste, I guess.

/Swan

[stl]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Unfortunately, after speaking to the manufacturer, I can confirm that there are known issues regarding 2CPU systems like the one I run. In fact I just took your advice and downloaded powerVCR 3. This generates the same error as Aver except it does so when you try to open it!

So be warned anyone who's thinking about using 1 of these TV cards for analog capture on a 2CPU system

I really want to capture in Mpeg2 but at this point would settle for any kind of capture. Consequently, I also downloaded Vdub and I'm amazed that this free program manages to do what the high priced ones can't. 2 things though, when I playback with mediaplayer (the default version that comes with win2k) I get no sound and please, please somebody tell me how to capture in 720x480 or that I can later convert to this resolution

[Swan]

though, when I playback with mediaplayer (the default version that comes with win2k) I get no sound

When I capture with VirtualDub (or Avi_Io, which I prefer as I don't drop any frames using it), I have to select the correct audio input manually before starting to capture. I have plugged the sound from the TV (or rather, the digital satellite receiver) into "Line-In" on my sound card, so I have to select it in the Recording Options in Windows' "Volume Control" (whatever it is called, it's the icon in the tray, by the computer clock). :-)

please somebody tell me how to capture in 720x480 or that I can later convert to this resolution
Are you using the original drivers from Avermedia?
If you are, then that is why you can't capture in more than 352x288 or 352x240. There are more knowledgeable people here than I, that can explain this in more detail, but it has to do with VirtualDub being a VFW-based-program and the Aver drivers are WDM-drivers.

I could only capture in full resolution using VirtualDub, Avi_Io and other avi-capturing softwares when I changed to Btwincap-drivers. With the original drivers, I could only capture in full PAL Resolution of 720 x 576 in pure WDM programs like PowerVCR. Btwincap drivers are freeware, generic drivers that work with the Brooktree chip that sits on the card you have.

After you install the Btwincap drivers, you will be able to capture in 720x480 in VirtualDub for sure, but I have not managed to get the radio part to work with these drivers. You may also get problems with Tv-tuning, but because I only use the composite line-in, I don't care about that at all. All you can do is test and see how much works for you (tuner, radio, etc.) Is there a radio on the AverTV Stereo card, by the way? :)
Btwincap can be downloaded from here: http://btwincap.sourceforge.net

As for other Mpeg-2 capturing softwares, you can try Intervideo WinDVR, Ulead MediaStudio, Ulead VideoStudio, Ulead DVD Workshop.
Roxio has a program called VideoWave that you can try and Pinnacle also has software for this. I only like Ulead's in this bunch (the quality is stunning from VideoStudio and DVD Workshop) but I have problems selecting color space in them (after installing Btwincap drivers) and have posted in this forum about it (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34008).
Capturing in avi-format (with Xvid compression, etc) does not get the reults I want, I prefer MPEG-2.

/Swan

[stl]

Thanks for all the info Swan, unfortunately, the BTwincap drivers didn't work for me with either Vdub or AverTV, no video or audio. I think the card is not being recognized.

You mentioned Mediastudio and I've been a fan of that prog for a while. I still use version 6 and I tried to cap with it and also I couldn't get it to recognize my card. Under device control I chose MCI because it supposed to recognize the VCR but no such luck.

I read your post and the BTwincap site actually says that you might experience problems with certain functions of cap cards under their driver.

Also still no audio in Vdub. Analog is a real pain in the ass compared to DV cap.

Do you or anyone know what mpeg2 cap device works in dualie systems.
How about USB based devices like ADS instant DVD, Pinnacle Bungee and Dazzle 100?

[Swan]

Thanks for all the info Swan, unfortunately, the BTwincap drivers didn't work for me with either Vdub or AverTV, no video or audio. I think the card is not being recognized.
Darn! :)
It should work, Stl. AverTV Stereo and Studio are basically the same card. I mean, the video part should work for you (getting video from the composite line-in). It works for me, even if I select a different card than what I have in the Btwincap installer! :) It's the TV-tuner that may not work unless one selects the exact right card and brand of tuner, plus the audio part from the tuner, of course.

I have set it up like this:
Audio from the satellite receiver goes straight into line-in on the sound card. That way, it does not matter that the capture card does not turn on the sound. And I simply select Line-in when I want to capture. Some programs, like PowerVCR, lets me select in the preferences where audio comes from, so it turns on Line-in when I start the program and turn it off when I exit the program.
Video from the satellite reveiver goes into Composite Line-In on the Aver card. That's it!

If all else fails, try setting it up like I have, because you really ought to be able to get the video part (the composite line-in) to work *at least*. That's the easy part.:)It's getting the TV-tuner and audio from the tuner that really depends on getting the correct driver.

I read your post and the BTwincap site actually says that you might experience problems with certain functions of cap cards under their driver.
Yes, like the tv-tuning part and fm-radio. But you should be able to get the composite line-in to work and simply hook the audio source to the Line-In on the soundcard and capture that way.

How about USB based devices like ADS instant DVD, Pinnacle Bungee and Dazzle 100?
I can't tell you if they work on a dual processor system, but I have tried a Dazzle device. Hooked up my VCR to it and via Firewire, got the video into the 'puter that way. :) I was not impressed, I must say. It was dead easy, but I was annoyed that, using the Firewire/Dazzle method, there was no way to set the recording volume, or do anything else, on the incoming signal. Also, I felt the video was less clear, the quality was lesser than when I captured the "normal" way. But it was easy, that's for sure.

/Swan

[stl]

Swan, I really do appreciate all the info you've given me and it will come in handy because I'm going to swap this card to my older single proc computer and see if it works. Hopefully a 600 PIII can do MPEG2 even though an 800 is recommended.

I'm just about convinced that the BTwincap drivers aren't the problem, the dualie config is. Strange that so many video apps are designed to take advantage of this and Aver & PowerVCR aren't.

The reason I asked about the Dazzle is because they told me that there aren't any dualie problems and I might try them out.

The only other thing I might try is to use the Mediastudio capture program but I can't seem to make it recognize the card.

[Swan]

Swan, I really do appreciate all the info you've given me and it will come in handy because
Anytime, Stl. I love discussing these things, so if there's anything I can help you with, it's my pleasure. ;)

The reason I asked about the Dazzle is because they told me that there aren't any dualie problems and I might try them out.
Yes, you should try one. Just because it didn't suit me doesn't mean it doesn't suit you. :)

The only other thing I might try is to use the Mediastudio capture program but I can't seem to make it recognize the card.
If you're into capturing Mpeg-2, you should try to get MediaStudio 6.5. After installing it, there's a patch you can download at Ulead's site that replaces the encoding filters from Ligos (which yields poor quality I think) with Ulead's own that are really nice. Also, you could try Ulead's Videostudio or DVD Workshop, as these are newer than Mediastudio 6.5, perhaps they deal better with your dual processor system..? :)

swap this card to my older single proc computer and see if it works. Hopefully a 600 PIII can do MPEG2 even though an 800 is recommended.
Let me know how it works out. I'm eager to hear about it. ;)

/Swan

[stl]

You guys are going to love this,
got rid of the AverTV and got a Dazzle DVC100. The physical device is fine but the software.....

1- you have to use the main setup screen to install the software, you can't just go into the program and hit setup, it tells you that it can only be installed from the main setup. the problem is that it won't let you select the install folder!

2- not user friendly piece of shit program this moviestar 5
wouldn't initialize properly so I uninstalled and downloaded version 5.2 fully functional and free no serial # requested install your way, yet they charge about $100 US in stores.

3- captured once OK but my happiness didn't last. Next day wanted to cap for real and process went OK except that no files were saved to my HD.

4- totally clueless tech support (called twice) I think I knew more than they did about their own shit software. Now I have to wait for some e-mail from the "next level".

What a shitcake this whole thing has been, I'll eat the cost of the DVC100 device since I think it's OK. However, only if there is a way to capture mpeg2 with another program.

Vdub can't recognize the device and it does AVI only anyway.
PowerVCR crashes cause it can't handle dualie systems
Mediastudio and premiere cap progs can't see the DVC either.

Somewhere in my mind I think something went wrong with the uninstall and looking at regedit I'm of a mind to delete the keys after another uninstall if they are still there.

Advice, opinions, sympathy, all will be appreciated.

[Swan]

You get a lot of sympathy from me. ;)
I too have (and still am) struggling to get capturing to work the way I want to. I have also struggled with clueless, intelligence-insulting support. Living in this part of the world also means e-mail support only. If I get an answer at all, it's always a stupid one.


Is this the Dazzle Device you have:

http://www.dazzle.com/products/dvc100.html

It looks exactly as the Dazzle device I tested. But it did not have the DVD capturing function. And it was Firewire, the one you have is USB, right? Is guess this DVD capturing feature is only supposed to work in the bundled software?

The Dazzle I tested could only do one thing: capture in dv format (compressed, almost lossless format, file extension was .avi, I think).
The capturing could not be done in mpeg. It transfered the video data via the Firewire port to the HD. After that was done, I exported the video to MPEG-2, directly from within Premiere. I could also have elected to compress it to any other format I liked (DivX, Xvid, etc). I tested transfering data from the VCR, via the firewire port and the Dazzle device, into "Video Capture" (a part of Ulead MediaStudio) and directly into Adobe Premiere and it was absolutely painless.
I wonder if you're having the problems with software recognizing the Dazzle is caused by it being USB, not Firewire?
Anyway, I feel for you. I wish I could do more to help.

/Swan

[stl]

Swan you've helped me out quite a bit and I am greatfull.

Yes, that is the device I have.
The device you mention is the Dazzle DV Hollywood bridge or something like that and it costs $300 US. The only difference is the firewire in/out. Originally, there was no MPEG2 but at some point they added an encoder chip for both devices and I supposed to be able to cap in MPEG2 which is one of the reasons I bought this thing.

I agree with you that Dazzle may have written drivers that are only recognized by their piece of shit moviestar software which I am 99% sure is the source of my problems.

You mention that you captured with Mediastudio, when I try to, Mediastudio capture starts and under the settings, recognizes the DVC100 but when I select this it tells me that it can't find the drivers. So yes, maybe it's the USB that's making it impossible for me to use other software. How did you do it?

/stl

[Swan]

Swan you've helped me out quite a bit and I am greatfull.
I don't think I've been able to help you, but thanks for saying so. ;)

The device you mention is the Dazzle DV Hollywood bridge or something like that and it costs $300 US
Right, right! That was the one!

both devices and I supposed to be able to cap in MPEG2 which is one of the reasons I bought this thing.
Yeah, it sounds like a great idea. I see on the product page at Dazzle's site that the device has hardware mpeg-2 encoder in it.
This means that the Mpeg-2 encoding does not have to be done by the software. (I'm just speculating and rambling :) )
Then, how could the device be "locked" to one software? Perhaps only Dazzle's sucky Moviestar can "talk" to the card, so that you can set the parameters for Mpeg-encoding? This is stuff only Dazzle can answer.
I am baffled by the difficulties and feel sorry for you.

The Hollywood bridge was child's play. I tested it about a year ago and back then I knew *nada* about video capturing. I just plugged the thing in, started MediaStudio and selected the correct Firewire device. That was it. It was so easy any kid could do it (which I think is the purpose of the Hollywoood bridge; anyone with a dv camera is supposed to be able to transfer their footage to the computer and export to Mpeg or whatever). I also tested Adobe Premiere and it worked like a charm connecting to the device using Premiere too.

I wish I could help! :(
BTW did you ever test putting the Aver Stereo card into the 600 PIII computer you had?

/Swan

PS I just noticed that there is Forum over at Dazzle that you may wanna check out: http://dazzleforum.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x

I found this in the knowledge base:

Does the DVC USB work with 3rd party software? Does the DVC USB work with 3rd party software?

Question
Does the DVC USB work with 3rd party software?

Answer
The Dazzle Digital Video Creator is packaged with Dazzle MovieStar. MovieStar is the only software that is supported with the DVC USB device. Other softwares may or may not work, however we are not able to troubleshoot them with our product. The MovieStar software was specifically designed around the Dazzle device.

The Hollywood DV-Bridge however will work with most 3rd party capture software. Follow this link to find out more about the Hollywood DV-Bridge.

http://www.dazzle.com/products/hw_bridge.html



and

Capturing Video with 3rd party software and the DVC II

Question
Can I use 3rd party Video Editing Software with the DVC II? If so, do I need special drivers?

Answer


The DVC II hardware and drivers were not designed to interact with 3rd party capture software. Unfortunately we can not advise on, nor support the DVC II when being used with any software other than the software which was provided.

Sorry for the inconvenience.



Perhaps this also is the case with the Dazzle device you have?
Dazzle must be able to answer this! GRR! :angry:

A lot of other angry Dazzle customers here:
http://www.vcdhelp.com/capturecards.php?CaptureCardRead=Dazzle%20DVD%20Creation%20Station%20200%20USB&Search=Search
(at least one post is about the DVC 100)

[stl]

You hit the nail right on the head.
The key to compatibility with other software is firewire.
You also answered my question about moviestar and as suspected I'm stuck with it for capture so now I must wait for an e-mail from Dazzles "second level" support.

As for the PIII 600, yea, it captured but at full resolution mpeg2 I got only an interlaced mess I couldn't even see the video, not enough power. At lower settings I saw video dut it was in slow motion, again not enough power. The only settings that worked well were VCD but I refuse to deal with poor quality VCD.

Thanks for the links I haven't been to VCDhelp for a while didn't realize they had a capture cards section.

[Swan]

The key to compatibility with other software is firewire
A-haa. :(
Can you send the Dazzle device back and buy a Firewire one?

As for the PIII 600, yea, it captured but at full resolution mpeg2 I got only an interlaced mess I couldn't
Good to know. But then we can conclude that the problems you had with the Aver card in your monster-double-processor machine was caused by just that: the 2 processor system?

Thanks for the links I haven't been to VCDhelp for a while didn't realize they had a capture cards section.
I stopped visiting a while back since it was so outdated. But now they appear to have redesigned it and started over.

Wishing you all the best and good luck!

/Swan

[stl]

Finally it works!!!

This is the story: By far the worst customer support experience I've ever had never got any reply from the so called "second level" so:

Since this dazzle DVC100 plugs into a USB port it was convenient to install this device & software on another computer just to rule out if it's either the software or the computer.

Guess what worked on the first try BUT: the box says PIII 500 or more and my 600 could'nt deal with MPEG2-DVD I would say 800 to 1G at least for smooth real time MPEG2

anyway, this time on my dualie, I not only reinstalled the software, but the DVC100 too, and unfortunately had to accept the choices the install made for me but everything worked captured 2 50min clips.
hopefully things willwork tomorrow too.

My conclusions: I think this was a driver problem or maybe a corrupt file somewhere. So unless you want to spend $300 US on the 1394 equiped version this is the cheapest ($170 US) way to cap high quality MPEG-2 DVD from an analog source on a dual CPU system. The price you pay is being forced into using 1 program which you can't even custom install, you can however specify the capture drive & folder/filename.

Thank you everyone and special thanks to Swan who helped me resolve this problem.
will post on http://forums.2cpu.com also

Who needs customer support when you have Forums like these!