A capture card to meet these needs?

[Mozgus]

I have used the same capture card for over 8 years; a 3DFX TV card. To get it to work on WinXP, I have always used the driver at the following site:

http://btwincap.sourceforge.net/

The big problem that has annoyed me all this time is this card has always chopped off the bottom 25% of the brightness scale. Any colors which exist in that portion of the spectrum are always just solid black when displayed through this card. This makes it impossible to play any dark console games like Resident Evil through this card and onto the monitor. Adjusting brightness, contrast, or gamma controls only make things worse. It's the card, not the software.

I have tried two other cheapie cards as well. A Leadtek TV2000XP and a KWorld cheapie card. The leadtek had a constant layer of interference static on all the input lines. The picture sucked. The KWorld card, I could never get audio on the tuner, so I couldn't really watch TV channels on it.



What I'm looking for is a card with a clean signal that displays even dark colors, and an s-video input. It also needs to work with D-Scaler, unless you know of a better app which supports real-time advanced de-interlacing methods like this one. This is very important for running game consoles, since games can have a variety of interlacing methods. It must obviously work in Windows XP.

I do not need a card with onboard encoding and such, as my system is fast enough to do the hardwork already. I wont be using the cards audio input, because my Audigy 2 ZS sound card have fantastic quality inputs to use already. Any suggestions?

[mecg]

The Canopus ADVC-100 always rates real high as a capture card. I bought mine several years ago and have never looked back. For me - it is flawless.

[Mozgus]

Well I'm looking for a card that humans can afford. I could just buy an HDTV for that price, jeez.

[Mozgus]

bump

[dadrab]

Well, I'm no expert by any stretch, but, I just looked up a Canopus ADVC110 IEEE 1394 Interface Advanced Digital Video Converter on a popular hardware sales sight. I found the price to be a little over two bills.

I don't know where you can buy an HDTV for that price, but I'm listening. 8)

[Mozgus]

Well, I'm no expert by any stretch, but, I just looked up a Canopus ADVC110 IEEE 1394 Interface Advanced Digital Video Converter on a popular hardware sales sight. I found the price to be a little over two bills.

I don't know where you can buy an HDTV for that price, but I'm listening. 8)

Even at $200, that's still insane for just TV functionality on a PC. Any extra features it may have would just go to waste on me. I don't need any of that. I didn't come here asking what the best possible capture card was. I was asking for one that suits my needs. Plus I don't like IEEE 1394.

[mike909]

didn't come here asking what the best possible capture card was. I was asking for one that suits my needs.

So, that suites your needs but is too expensive? Not sure why you "don't like" IEEE 1394, it's a proven stable interface.

[FulciLives]

Stop playing your console video games on a computer monitor ... a computer monitor is not made for that.

You know you can always buy a small LCD TV for such game play if you feel the need.

Or ... you can try something like this ---> CLICK HERE FOR LINK

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[hrlslcbr]

I use a Sapphire Theatrix and Winamp TV (the video is deinterlaced by the video card I believe) to play with my GameCube. No problems at all.
Oh, and it captures the full range of colours (and brightness...). From 0-255 in digital levels; and the 720 active pixels on each video frame (no need to set different resolutions to keep aspect ratio correct). That's using either the composite, s-video or TV tuner inputs.

[Mozgus]

So, that suites your needs but is too expensive? Not sure why you "don't like" IEEE 1394, it's a proven stable interface.

I have my reasons. I don't care to go into them.

Stop playing your console video games on a computer monitor ... a computer monitor is not made for that.

Your opinion. Not a fact.

You know you can always buy a small LCD TV for such game play if you feel the need.

Hahaha god no.

Or ... you can try something like this ---> CLICK HERE FOR LINK

And how am I supposed to capture the footage using that? You aren't even listening.

I use a Sapphire Theatrix and Winamp TV (the video is deinterlaced by the video card I believe) to play with my GameCube. No problems at all.
Oh, and it captures the full range of colours (and brightness...). From 0-255 in digital levels; and the 720 active pixels on each video frame (no need to set different resolutions to keep aspect ratio correct). That's using either the composite, s-video or TV tuner inputs.

Interesting. Your video card does a good job deinterlacing it? I have a geforce 7600GT. Would it do real time deinterlacing too? Does it have a variety of methods, or just simple bob? Would Dscaler work with it? And you are on Windows XP correct? I am thinking about getting it from here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815117603

[hrlslcbr]

It's just like watching an MPEG-2 encoded movie, and using the hardware acceleration to decode it with some filter like cyberlink's or intervideo's (I get 60 progressive frames per second). Not just simple bob, but motion adaptive deinterlacing (I'm using a 9800 pro, not sure what options you might have with a 7600GT, but since it's newer than my card, I doubt it'll perform worse; actually, I think it'll be even better).
And yes, I'm using Win XP.
One thing though, I use the card to capture video, and my soundcard (with a simple cable) to get sound, because there's a slight delay in the theatrix's audio capture (but not on the video).
Hope this helps you.

[FulciLives]

@Mozgus

I thought from the first post that you were more concerned about getting the video onto a computer monitor than actually trying to capture it.

DScaler is not for capture puposes but usually used for those that use their computer to display video games on a progressive computer monitor or "filter" through the computer to an external front projector.

Anyways you have a ******* bad attitude.

You are on my shit list now.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Mozgus]

It's just like watching an MPEG-2 encoded movie, and using the hardware acceleration to decode it with some filter like cyberlink's or intervideo's (I get 60 progressive frames per second). Not just simple bob, but motion adaptive deinterlacing (I'm using a 9800 pro, not sure what options you might have with a 7600GT, but since it's newer than my card, I doubt it'll perform worse; actually, I think it'll be even better).
And yes, I'm using Win XP.
One thing though, I use the card to capture video, and my soundcard (with a simple cable) to get sound, because there's a slight delay in the theatrix's audio capture (but not on the video).
Hope this helps you.

You've been so helpful. Thanks man. Thanks for actually reading the threads you post in. This sounds like a good buy. I just hope there is no incompatibility with an nvidia graphics card.

I use an Audigy 2 with gold connectors on the back, and I always just run the audio from a console into it because the quality is perfect. I only use a capture card for the s-video input and the tv tuner.

Anyways you have a ******* bad attitude.

You are on my shit list now.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I was already on your shit list, judging from the ammount of worthless shit posts you expelled in my thread. How about taking me off of it? That way we both win.

[hrlslcbr]

I use an Audigy 2 with gold connectors on the back, and I always just run the audio from a console into it because the quality is perfect. I only use a capture card for the s-video input and the tv tuner.

I use a creative X-Fi, so there wouldn't be any problems.
About the nVidia card... well, no; I don't think there would be any incompatibilities between the two cards.
Glad to be helpful.

[dadrab]

I have my reasons. I don't care to go into them.

Your opinion. Not a fact.

Hahaha god no.

And how am I supposed to capture the footage using that? You aren't even listening.

I’m a noob around here. Like many of the readers of this forum, I’m trying to learn something.

I ain’t no child, though. I’ve personally taken the time to learn to write and express myself well (take the hint) and I’ve been around other forums and life in general long enough to know a smartass when one presents him/herself.

You’ve earned yourself the title.

You might also want to note that anonymity does not buy you instant gratitude on a forum of this sort. If you piss off the holders of the knowledge, you get no answers.

Congratulations all around.

[Mozgus]

I ain’t no child, though. I’ve personally taken the time to learn to write and express myself well (take the hint) and I’ve been around other forums and life in general long enough to know a smartass when one presents him/herself.

You’ve earned yourself the title.

You might also want to note that anonymity does not buy you instant gratitude on a forum of this sort. If you piss off the holders of the knowledge, you get no answers.

Congratulations all around.

Forums have nothing to do with real life. You have a lot more to learn.

[scorps]

Mozgus , perhaps if you were more thankful for replies you would get more. In Scotland you would be classed as a real tumshie heid.

[Mozgus]

Mozgus , perhaps if you were more thankful for replies you would get more. In Scotland you would be classed as a real tumshie heid.

I was very thankful to everyone who deserved it, which was hrlslcbr and no one else. I told him how helpful he was. Everyone else just typed irrelevant bullshit, therefor they do not get any thanks. That's how it works. Why are you posting here? To post irrelevant bullshit.

Thread Over. Question answered. May it serve others in similar situations.

[Mozgus]

Just a warning for anyone who finds this thread. Turns out the ATI Theater 550 (Sapphire Theatrix) is the most worthless capture card I have ever experienced. It's worse then the two other cards I mentioned being terrible earlier. This thing has every issue known to man, simultaniously, no matter what application or driver version. I have tried a full dozen apps in the space of 7 hours today. List of issues:

Channels randomly stop changing.
Screen locks up randomly and displays solid grey.
Audio constantly stutters, if it even works at all.
All picture is dim.
No deinterlacing at all, unless you use a third party filter, which then causes more stuttering.
Audio and/or video take turns being delayed by 1-2 seconds, making this worthless for any gaming.
I have countless bloatware processes on my system now.

On top of all that, ATI and Sapphire both have basically zero tech support. You can contact them all you want, but they will never respond to you. Ask anyone at the Sapphire forums.

Back to 3DFX I go; the only company to ever make a freakin usable capture card. I've seriously taken dumps with more functionality then this ATI trash.

[hrlslcbr]

I told you I use the Winamp TV plug-in. If you use anything else that encodes to MPEG-2, you'll get the problems you listed. It's not the card's fault, it's yours.
I use it and it DOES work.

[Mozgus]

I told you I use the Winamp TV plug-in. If you use anything else that encodes to MPEG-2, you'll get the problems you listed. It's not the card's fault, it's yours.
I use it and it DOES work.

I used it. The newest version that was released last month right? It's worthless. The audio is terribly offsync in winamp, and it crashes all the time. They're giving me a refund, thank god. Ati can go to hell.

Edit: Also, the card is 100% broken in virtualdub. How do you suppose I'm going to record footage to huffyuv now? It can't do it.

[FulciLives]

@Mozgus

You are a dumb ass.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[hrlslcbr]

@Mozgus

You are a dumb ass.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I agree completely
I have the same card, and it works on my system. That means the problem is not the card, but you (or your system).
Please stop complaining about EVERY card in existance; you won't find what you want if you keep that attitude...
How long did you try to get it working? Less than a day?....
You've just lost a very good option to do what you want.

[Mozgus]

It's your word against every review this card has ever recieved. They all said to avoid it because of buggy software and drivers. Your standards are so low that you don't even know how a capture card is supposed to perform. I feel sorry for you then. I've got the 3DFX to fall back on. It actually WORKS. I can live with the dark dropoff. I can't live with the issues this piece of crap has. If you can, then that's fine. You're lucky you can't remember the time when companies actually made decent products for this field.

[Mozgus]

@Mozgus

You are a dumb ass.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Aww, e-penis feel bigger now? Gooood.

[hrlslcbr]

I haven't seen anyone review the card with winamp tv. I agree that powercinema is useless, and I never said it worked for me with PowerCinema.

I USE THE CARD WITH WINAMP TV PLUG-IN. Get it????

The capture quality of the card is GREAT, and when you capture to avi, there's no delay in the video. I told you I used my audio card to capture audio because there was a delay when using the theatrix.

The card DOES WORK with winamp tv plug-in (for the thing you want and many other things), but since you won't try to set it up correctly, I can't help you.

I get 60fps when playing gamecube without delay, using the same card you have...

Your standards are so low that you don't even know how a capture card is supposed to perform

Well, actually, I've owned many capture cards, and have captured many videos, and I DO know how a capture card should perform.

I feel sorry for you then

No mate. I feel sorry for you, who can't even listen to someone who's trying to help you, and can't set up a program as simple as winamp.

By the way, there are many people using the card with MCE and have had NO problems (check hexus.net forums).

Enjoy your 3DFX card.

[Mozgus]

I don't use MCE. I told you that days ago. So you do then? Well no ******* wonder it works for you. The reviews all said to avoid this thing if you don't have MCE. I agree; I am indeed the dumbass for taking advice from this forum, instead of listening to the professionals.

Why do you keep assuming I didn't setup winamp? It's not ******* hard. Que the channels to the playlist and play them. The deinterlacing on the winamp plugin is also repulsive; all the modes it offers. The whole screen randomly jitters when you use it. It looks like 320x240 during an earthquake. You think thats good, but I am used to much better. Dscaler destroys all other TV aps in terms of image quality.

You still haven't bothered to even mention any specific settings, or the tool you use to capture to huffyuv, therefor you appear to be full of crap. It's really easy to argue using vague statements to keep your point protected, but I actually bothered to list all the specific issues with the card. All you could do was taunt, and say "it works fine".

[nickmind]

I have to say it. Mozgus has won the a-hole award of the year. This forum is one of the most helpful forum out there regarding video ( . )

I see you are a noob to this forum, so I am not going to say anything else. But, if people are trying to help (and that is what it is HELP), you should try to be thankful, NOT an *******!!!

The one guy you give credit to, you later give him shit.

So my suggestion would be pack up all your shit and give it to a 4 year old (who would know how to get it to work), and you go back to cleaning toilets or humping your dog or whatever.

Videohelp forum = good

Mozgus = BIG LOSER!!!

[Mozgus]

I have to say it. Mozgus has won the a-hole award of the year. This forum is one of the most helpful forum out there regarding video ( . )

I see you are a noob to this forum, so I am not going to say anything else. But, if people are trying to help (and that is what it is HELP), you should try to be thankful, NOT an *******!!!

The one guy you give credit to, you later give him shit.

So my suggestion would be pack up all your shit and give it to a 4 year old (who would know how to get it to work), and you go back to cleaning toilets or humping your dog or whatever.

Videohelp forum = good

Mozgus = BIG LOSER!!!

Noob? All I see are crybaby little brats that can't conjure up a sentence with a point. This is my 4th account on here. I've been around since long before it was called "videohelp". I'm still waiting for someone to show me where I was helped. Show me. Never happened.

Doesn't matter how many times you kids chant it, the 550 is a worthless card due to lack of support, and all the reviews have my back on this one. You all live in your own little fart cloud here, oblivious to the outside realm of logic.

So go on, keep brown nosing the forum. Maybe someone will make you a mod, and then you can make up for those high school beatings by messing with faceless aliases. That should feel great.

The community will forever hold this place behind Doom9. That's something that has remained consistant for the last half-decade. Please keep adding fuel to the fire. You only prove my point more.

[gll99]

Mozgus wrote

I have used the same capture card for over 8 years; a 3DFX TV card. To get it to work on WinXP, I have always used the driver at the following site:

http://btwincap.sourceforge.net/

I have 3 older tv tuner cards all are bt878 based chipsets. an ati wonder ve, generic branded pine and an Avermedia tv98.

My Avermedia card works with xp directshow capture apps because the company provides wdm drivers for my card (the btwincap (wdm) drivers also work with this card.)

The ATI and Pine tv cards came with vfw drivers only and the manufacturer does not supply wdm drivers for these so I couldn't use them with XP. I tried the btwincap and they worked with one flaw. The picture was too dark and I had to manually set the contrast and brightness. It was also different depending on source ie. tuner, composite or svideo. I couldn't trust it to retain my settings depending on which capture program I used. It wasn't always what you see is what you get. When I brought up the brightness the picture sometimes looked washed out on tv even though it looked ok in my preview window.

I would prefer to use my Pine card but I went back to my older Avermedia card because of these issues and used the company supllied wdm drivers even though the Avermedia card has a problem of a hiss in the tuner audio but that's another story unrelated to this topic.

My point is that the issues you describe are not caused by your card itself but by the btwincap drivers. This problem was discussed here a long time ago.

Buy a basic BT878 (mono) or bt879 (stereo) based card if you don't want to spend too much but just make sure that it comes with wdm drivers supplied by the manufacturer of the card. Although I have an audio hiss in the tuner of my old Avermedia I would still recommend them because even many years later I can still go to their site and download discontinued drivers and software.