Capturing via USB (wmv to avi, mpg)

[mozzer72]

hello there

Since I made the biggest mistake of my life and upgraded from Windows XP SP1 to SP2 I can't get my PC to recognise my Panasonic NVGS11 Mini DV camcorder via firewire. There's some sort of compatibility problem with the drivers apparently..

The only way to capture MINI Dv footage onto my hard drive is through USB 2.0 and the only software that lets me do that without dropping frames is Windows Movie maker. The captured files are in wmv format (can't capture in AVI cos, as I said, my firewire doesn't work).

Now, what I want to do is edit the footage, add titles, menus etc and render to DVD format (mpeg) for burning purposes. The thing is, I don't want to use the editing 'facilities' of the Windows Movie maker software because they are crap. I'd prefer to use programmes such as Pinnacle or Ulead for editing. The problem is that these do not accept files in wmf format so I need to convert wmv to avi, edit the avi files and render the output to mpeg. My questions are: (a) what is the best software for converting wmv to avi (by 'best' I mean producing the lowest possible quality loss during conversion), (b) would this loss in quality during conversion from wmv to avi to mpg be acceptable ? and (c) does anyone know of a software that can capture MINI DV directly to AVI via USB 2.0 only without too many frames dropped in the process ? I know USB is not an acceptable method for capturing video but at the moment and until I find a fix for my firewire/xpsp1 problem I'm stuck with it..

Many thanks

[donsmith]

i can't think of a program to do what you want. i generally stay away from microsoft codecs because usually there are very few free utilites to work with.

have you thought of dual booting a sp1 xp just for this? then you wouldn't have to remove all your files you already have.

[snafu099]

I know USB is not an acceptable method for capturing video but at the moment and until I find a fix for my firewire/xpsp1 problem I'm stuck with it..

I use two usb capture devices with excellent results so I would disagree with your statement above. Granted both are hardware mpg encoders so I don't do avi. IMHO, current mpg editors provide all the functionality needed for all but the pros

[mozzer72]

I know USB is not an acceptable method for capturing video but at the moment and until I find a fix for my firewire/xpsp1 problem I'm stuck with it..

I use two usb capture devices with excellent results so I would disagree with your statement above. Granted both are hardware mpg encoders so I don't do avi. IMHO, current mpg editors provide all the functionality needed for all but the pros

Thanks both for the replies.

snafu099 - Could you pls let me know what usb capture devices you are using ?

donsmith - in theory, dual booting sp1 and sp2 seems a good idea. In practice however, it may screw my machine even more. SP2 on its on is bad enough..

Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my post

[jolphil]

Hi,
I seem to remember a Microsoft patch for IEEE1394 after installing the SP2
Give it a try
jolphil

[redwudz]

There's a Firewire patch from MS, but AFAIK, it's to correct an issue with the speed of transfer, not recognition. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885222

I haven't had any problems with XP SP2 recognizing Firewire devices, but some apparently have.

[mozzer72]

There's a Firewire patch from MS, but AFAIK, it's to correct an issue with the speed of transfer, not recognition. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885222

I haven't had any problems with XP SP2 recognizing Firewire devices, but some apparently have.

Correct, this patch resolves the problem of transfer speed, not connection.. As far as I know, MS have not released yet any patches to deal with the connectivity issue

Cheers

[snafu099]

snafu099 - Could you pls let me know what usb capture devices you are using ?

1. ADS Instant Dvd 2.
This is a true mpg hardware encoder that encodes both audio and video in the box using an audio lock for sync. Will encode up to 15 mb/s. Removes macrovision and also has a decoder and I/O to send mpg back to vcr/tv/?
Quality of capture is excellent. I bought mine direct from ADS when it was released as an upgrade from the original version that only handled video in the box. There is reported to be a third generation version ready to be released soon (???) The IDVD-2 lacks a tv tuner which is why I bought the device below.

2. Compro VideoMate Live. Also a true hardware mpg encoder that includes a tv tuner and pvr capability. While I have had it for some time I have only captured from cable-tv (basic cable, not digital) with excellent results.

Note that I am not a high end user. Most of my captures are at 3 or 4 mb/s using 352x480 res. Primarily used to backup/achieve live tv, dvd's that give dvd shrink a problem or my 800+ collection of vhs tapes.

Using the Compro device I scheduled/captured the full 2004 Olympic broadcasts (52 dvd's) with excellent results.