Noise at top of video capture?

[Jaw3000]

Hi! I'm a newbie to capturing and have captured some NTSC TV shows using my new Leadtek TV2000 Expert card (10 bit) and it's accompanying Winfast PVR software. The card is connected via S-Video to a digital DirecTV satellite receiver.

My question concerns the fuzzy, jaggy blocks (for lack of a better term to describe it) that appear at the top of the captured footage (captured in Uncompressed AVI, YUV packed 4:2:2). Is this normal for any captured video? What causes it? Can video be captured in another way (with another software for example) to avoid this? And is there anything I can do to get rid (or reduce) it when I encode to Xvid with GK?

Also, what does the noise filter do and would it help in this situation? And do you have to do anything else with captured footage (like De-interlace) it when encoding to make it look better? Is there a better app. or codec to capture into than YUV and WinFast PVR?

Thanks!
-Jaws

System Specs: P4 2.53, 512MB, 100GB HD, ATI 9700 Pro, Leadtek TV2000 Expert

[jggimi]

"Sounds" like something is misconfigured. If you can post a link to an image it might help understand what's going on.

As to your questions regarding capture applications and processes, I recommend the Capture FAQ (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32575) and the Capture Guide (http://www.doom9.org/capture/start.html). Since you're going to MPEG-4, you would probably prefer progressive encoding. Unless you're capturing at __x288 (PAL) or __x240 (NTSC) or smaller, I would deinterlace any interlaced content. Also, if you're in NTSC-land I recommend Inverse Telecining any Telecined content.

[Jaw3000]

Ok, jaggy blocks are the wrong term. It's more like noise, a lot of noise (or static) at the top of the capture when played back. Watching TV (or while recording) there is no noise. But upon playback, it's there. Maybe it's inherent with all captures, and as a newbie, I'm unaware of it? Does anyone know what this could be or what could be causing it? Could a filter of some sort help get rid of it?

Again, I captured NTSC at 320x240 in uncompressed AVI with a Leadtek TV2000 XP Expert (Conexant CX2388X chipset) and WinFast PVR software. GSpot lists the codec as YUY2 or YUV packed 4:2:2. I also captured some at 720x480 and it also had the same noise or static. I'm using the latest WDM drivers provided by Leadtek. Also, does anyone know of any other WDM drivers I could try that work with the CX2388X chipset besides the ones by Leadtek? I would take a screen shot, but it's hard to see it in a stopped frame, but really apparent in moving frames.

BTW, WinFast PVR lists the codec I used as "Uncompressed AVI" and codec "none." Gspot lists it as YUY2. Is YUY2 (or YUV) the same thing as Huffyuv? Also, there is another codec choice called Intel Indeo iYUV 2.0. Is this the same as Huffyuv or the uncompressed AVI I used? Also, what YUV coded should I use for capturing. Should I use one I appear to already have installed (listed above) or download another? And where can I find another codec (like Huffyuv) since it's not listed on Doom 9 downloads page? I'm so confused with these codecs, and then others like YV12. What's the difference for a newbie? Are any of these better for capturing than others? BTW, I've read the capture FAQ and guide, and am still trying to absorb it all! :)

Thanks!
-Jaws

[jggimi]

Ok, jaggy blocks are the wrong term. It's more like noise, a lot of noise (or static) at the top of the capture when played back. Watching TV (or while recording) there is no noise. But upon playback, it's there. Maybe it's inherent with all captures, and as a newbie, I'm unaware of it? Does anyone know what this could be or what could be causing it? Could a filter of some sort help get rid of it?I have not changed my opinion that there may be something misconfigured. But without seeing an image, I doubt you'll get additional help, since your description isn't enough information. Open your .avi with a tool that can extract frame images (such as VirtualDub) and post one here. To post an image, place the image file on your ISP's web server and use the IMG button when you reply to point to it. If you don't have access to a public web server for that purpose, PM me and I'll provide an e-mail address for you to send an image to as an attachment.Again, I captured NTSC at 320x240 in uncompressed AVI ... GSpot lists the codec as YUY2 or YUV packed 4:2:2.That's not a codec, that's the colorspace. A colorspace is a way of describing the color of a pixel.BTW, WinFast PVR lists the codec I used as "Uncompressed AVI" and codec "none." Gspot lists it as YUY2. Is YUY2 (or YUV) the same thing as Huffyuv? HuffYUV is a codec, not a colorspace. Codec is an acronym, and stands for "compressor / decompressor." HuffYUV will compress the uncompressed video. It is lossless (unlike MPEG-1, MPEG-2, or any of the MPEG-4 codecs), and therefore no video information is removed by its compression technology. It is also easy to edit, since unlike MPEG, each frame's information is self contained.Also, there is another codec choice called Intel Indeo iYUV 2.0. Is this the same as Huffyuv or the uncompressed AVI I used?No, it is not. It is an older codec that just happens to be installed on your computer.Also, what YUV coded should I use for capturing. Under HuffYUV, you can capture in RGB (which is typically the colorspace used by the capture hardware), or have it convert to YUY2. I recall reading a thread on this subject recently, where the recommendation was to use RGB, since the color would be more accurate. I've been capturing in in YUY2, since it consumes less bits per pixel to describe the color than RGB32....And where can I find another codec (like Huffyuv) since it's not listed on Doom 9 downloads page? HuffYUV is available on the full download page, rather than the main download page. Here's the link to the software: http://www.doom9.org/Soft21/Codecs/huffyuv_220.zipI'm so confused with these codecs, and then others like YV12.RGB, YUV, YV12, YUY2 ... are all colorspaces, not codecs. What's the difference for a newbie? Are any of these better for capturing than others? BTW, I've read the capture FAQ and guide, and am still trying to absorb it all! :)I understand your frustration. This stuff is both complex and confusing. But you'll understand more and more over time. Trust me, we've all gone through this learning curve.

[kisk]

I have that exact card and I get that noise (about 2-3 horizontal pixel lines at the top) when capturing at 320x240 with either HuffYUV or uncompressed. No clue why it does it either... if you bump up to 640x480 it disappears.. This doesn't really help you, just voicing that you're not the only one. ;)

[Video Dude]

@Jaw3000

The noise you see at the top of the DirecTV capture is normal. I have it on every channel. Best thing to do is just crop it out rather than filter it. It appears in the overscan area so it is not seen on a regular TV, but is very annoying if you capture it. It looks like DirecTV is giving more bits to the center, and less bits to the edges.

[WildCelt]

Originally posted by Video Dude
@Jaw3000

The noise you see at the top of the DirecTV capture is normal. I have it on every channel. Best thing to do is just crop it out rather than filter it. It appears in the overscan area so it is not seen on a regular TV, but is very annoying if you capture it. It looks like DirecTV is giving more bits to the center, and less bits to the edges.

I can definitely confirm this. All of my caps from my Directivo have it.

[stickboy]

Sounds like normal closed captioning data.