Winfast TV 2000XP Capture Problems

[ndemon]

I'm using Winfast's PVR to capture about a couple of hours of TV once a twice a week, though I seem to get problems with sound after an hour of a single capture. I'm using MPEG-2 for video and Mpeg1 AUdio Layer 3 for audio. MPEG2 uses video quality 666, and a target data rate of 6000 (which is one of the defaults for optimal settings though i decreased the resolution to 6400x480) Its also a constant bitrate.

I tend to have the PVR split the capture into 2GB files just to make it easier to view as my captures tend to reach 10gb or so for a couple of continuous recording. Though after the first 45 min (or first 2GB file), the audio on the remaining footage has audio 'gaps' for lack of a better word. The sync seems to be fine, though every second the sound drops off to either nothing or very soft volume. I've formatted my system a couple of times for other reasons, but it used to work fine at my current settings. If anything, i've reduced the quality at which I capture in an effort to maybe reduce the processor load.

I've found documents relating to solving audio sync problems, but i can't really understand how I can relate it to solve my problem. I'm running a 2.4Ghz system with 512mb pc2700 ram, and the captures are going on a 30gb (20gb free) partition of my first hard drive which is a 40gb seagate 7200rpm PATA drive. I'd appreciate anyway to fix the captures I currently have and maybe avoid future problems. I have another harddrive 80gb, but it is quite full, while the 30gb partition is used for the sole purpose of capturing then deleting after I watch the recorded tv.

thanks,

ndemon

edit: I should point out when playing these mpeg files straight in media player classic there is no sound or has huge audio sync problems (like 10 minutes). I get the audio gaps when i de-multiplex the audio using tmpegenc 2.521.

[BogieV]

Hi,
Is it the Expert series card? I have that and no probs for long captures. Have checked the box for Audio to be the master stream. I also use just the default MPEG2 Optimal template (same settings for video, but audio is MP2, 224kbs).

When I tried to use external MP3 (Lame) codec for capture straight to DivX the Win PVR mixes up and I don't have sound if I try to reply in WM9. It might be related to your problem. Thus I quited trying to use the high quality MP3 sound (Fraunhover 22.5kHz, 56kbs works just fine).

I feel that the Win PVR software needs just a bit more flexibility to be a very good one. Or there is something with the external codecs not done right.

Edit: BTW if I were you, I'd quickly transfer some of the matherial to the 30GB partition to free up that second HD. Capturing video is always better to be done on a different than the system drive!

[ndemon]

Sorry I forgot to mention its a Deluxe card, and also I mistyped its MP2 as yours is. I understand how a different drive can improve performance and avoid some problems, but since its worked before i'd like to try something else before reorganizing my files.

[thecoalman]

That sounds like it's an issue with your soundcard. Anything different you haven't done such as updating the soundcards drivers to the latest version? Possibly a program running in the background?

I just heard a great tip on determining whether it's the capture card. Plug the audio out on the capture card directly into your speakers, or the speakers into the capture card (however you want to look at it). You may need a mini jack adapter to do this. Now you'll be able to determine if the capture card is causing the issue with the sound.

[ndemon]

My sound card is an audigy 2, and I've always just used the drivers off my cd. I never bothered updating off the creative website cause there was never a problem. Only program running in the background is kaspersky personal pro, which is different as I used to run the corporate and older version.

As for your tip about plugging the speakers straight into the capture card, are you saying that the sound problem would be clear when watching normal TV, or only when I start capturing. I ask because I can watch TV using the card all day using DScaler or Winfast and the sound is fine, its just when i capture during the night (when I am asleep) so I can't really monitor the sound.

Edit: I've tried connecting the speakers straight to the tv card and the sound is fine, watched stuff for about 30 minutes and captured about an hour. Everything is fine. But the problem tends to occur on longer captures.