Green Dots/Lines in DAC-100 Captures

[brightlight]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone might have an idea why my DAC-100 captured video contains vertical green dots/lines like morse code (running from top to bottom), spaced at varying distances from left to right. This is particularly more noticable on darker backgrounds. Although the lines may come an go, they always seem to appear in the same relative position and "shimmer" when video is running.

This green dots/lines appear when viewed immediately after capture or on output DVDs (viewed on PC or Onkyo DV-CP701).

http://s9.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2XR65AFE07MQG2KDB42YE1AZ6O

Has anyone seen similar behavior?

This DAC-100 was recently purchased and has always exhibited this problem.

I have sent a support request to Datavideo, but have not heard back. In
addition, I have searched various resources including google and this
website.

This is reproducible using:

1) DataVideo DAC-100 DV Converter
Brand new - H530
Default DIP switches - D D D U U D (although I different combinations)
AVC Compliant DV Camcorder Windows XP Driver
2) Using either S-Video or composite inputs
3) With or without sound
4) Attached to different IEEE 1394 firewire inputs (TI and ALI base chipsets)

Desktop
a) Toshiba M500D Dual PIII 700 mhz 1GB ram, WD 80GB 7200RPM 8mb cache
Nvidia GeForce2 GTS (6.14.10.6693)
b) Dell Precision Dual PIII 600 mhz 410 Dual, 1GB ram, Seagate 200GB
7200RPM 8mb cache
Nvidia RIVA TNT (6.14.10.6693)

Laptop
a) Toshiba 3000-S304, 1GB PIII-M 1GB ram, 40GB 5400 rpm
Nvidia 16MB GeForce2Go (6.14.10.6693)

5) Using Microsoft Movie Maker (2.0.3312.0), Pinnacle Studio 9 (9.3.5), Virtual VCR (2.6.9 Build 6252), NeroVision Express 3 (3.0.1.14) and Virtual Dub (1.6.2 - build 22651/release).
6) Different S-Video and composite cables
7) Windows XP SP1 and SP2
8) Norton Antivirus disabled
9) Zone Alarm Firewall disabled

Each of the systems have the following in common:
1) Analog output source
2) Dac 100
3) Windows XP
4) Nvidia based video cards all using the same 6.14.10.6693 driver
5) Intel P-III based processors

Thanks for the help,
BL

[Dr_Layne]

My DAC-100 has never done this. Some trouble shooting is needed. Try a different firewire cable. Different cables from the VCR to the DAC-100. If that doesn't solve the issue I would think the DAC-100 is defective.

Steve

[brightlight]

Hi Steve,

After talking with Datavideo and trying numerous different video sources (Tivo, DVD, VHS), cables (both analog and firewire) and PC hardware/software, it looks like my unit is indeed defective and an RMA will be issued.

After hearing all the great things about the unit, I wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing anything obvious

Thanks for the feedback,
BL

[brightlight]

Hi,

As a follow up, my DAC-100 was indeed defective but was fixed in a timely fashion (< 1week) by the DataVideo folks under warranty and all is now well

They were very helpful and professional.

-BL

[FulciLives]

If you look at the comments about the DataVideo DAC-100 here on this website (under the CAPTURE CARDS listing off on the left hand side) you will see that you were not the first person to report these random green dots etc.

I am glad it got fixed and went away though. Some feel that the DataVideo DAC-100 is better than the Canopus ADVC-100 in that the DAC-100 seems to reproduce color more naturally whereas the ADVC-100 tends to oversaturate colors.

I have never used either one myself ... my comments are based on reading about the devices here.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman