Converting from MiniDV to computer......HELP....

[Logan69]

I'm trying to make use of a freeware by the name of Exsate DV Capture Live.......my existing camera is a mini dv JVC GR-D370U....it does not normally output the time/date stamp with the output feed....I've tried a whole bunch of capture programs and this freeware one is one of the few that seems to work.....however, the problem is, although it does capture the video with the time/date stamp......the video it is capturing is losing frames and is jerky....I'm looking to see if anyone can suggest the optimal settings so as to prevent this from happening.......I have a bunch of family tapes that I need to get transfered.....any and all help is GREATLY appreciated......there seem to be a good number of configuration options with the application, but I haven't been able to get it to work optimally......thanks!

[thecoalman]

it does not normally output the time/date stamp with the output feed....

It does, it just not embedded visually in the video. Even after transfer it should still exist.

the video it is capturing is losing frames and is jerky....

Well the first question is can you transfer without any issues noramlly, assuming you can transfer normally processing real time with a slower computer like yours is probably not going to happen. If the program you listed allows embedding the timecode after you transfer do that instead.

Here's another tool for the same purpose and few others, the author frequents this forum so if you have any problems he'll be able to help.

https://www.videohelp.com/tools/Enosoft_DV_Processor

[edDV]

You want time date in the picture?

Are you trying to encode real time to another format?
(not advised)

Are you using IEEE-1394 for capture? It so use WinDV.
Date/Time in picture is possible is possible with
http://www.enosoft.net/products/products.htm

oops, was talking on the phone and didn't see thecoalman's post.

[Baldrick]

Didn't you solve it in https://forum.videohelp.com/topic328213.html ?


ANd please post dv questions in our dv forum. Moving you.

[Logan69]

The ensoft solution did seem to work, however, I believe the issue was that it was only alowing for 5 min captures at a time unless I spent $130 on the product. I was trying to find a solution that wouldn't be so expensive. The Exsate software is apparently freeware, and works, kind of...lol.....the dropped frames and jerkiness of the picture are the problem. I'm thinking there has to be an optimal setting (there are a lot of options within the software) that will eliminate the problem. Again, I do appreciate all of the assistance!

And, oh yes, to answer the previous questions; yes, I can transfer the video with other applications and capture it without the dropped frames and jerkiness and I am using IEEE-1394 for the transfer.

Thanks!

[JohnnyMalaria]

Hello Logan69,

There is no time limit with the non-commercial version of our software. If you are having problems with the capturing being limited to 5 mins, please let me know.

One thing that can cause this is if you have a screen saver set to come on after 5 minutes. Due to a quirk of Windows, the capture process will start over if the screen mode changes (e.g., screen saver, pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del etc).

There is a way to get around this that is described in the Help file. You just need to go to "Configure..." and check the "Don't use VMR for small monitor windows". Do this before you select your Input and Output.

Alternatively, turn off your screen saver.

BTW, the only differences between the free and commercial versions are that the commercial one makes use of multiple processors and that the free one "spoils" the output when running in "Device-to-Device" mode. For capturing, this isn't an issue.

Do let me know if you still have problems as it may indicate you have found a bug that I am not aware of.

John.

[Logan69]

John,

Thanks for the suggestions. I had left this project alone for a while and now that I've revisited it, the problem that I'm having with using Enosoft is that the video seems to have lines through it, more so when there is motion, i.e. poeple moving, etc.. The capture itself and the ability to capture the time/date seem to work well. I still haven't tried to capture for more than 5 mins (just got home), but will try that soon. However, for it to be useful, first need to get a clear/clean picture. Are there any settings that I should be applying towards this end? Thanks!

Logan

[JohnnyMalaria]

Hi Logan,

What you are seeing is the interlacing. Some video players "hide" it, others show it for what it really is! Rest assured that the software captures the DV exactly as it is. If you take the captured AVI file and play them in different players/editors, you will send different results even though the content is the same.

John.

[thecoalman]

Just to add to what Johnny said, if you open this in a software player that deintelaces these lines will autonmagiacally disappear. They deinterlace on the fly. Do not deinterlace with an editor if you intend to use this video for playback on TV, you will not see them there either.

[Logan69]

Thanks guys....I'll test it out this evening and see what I can find.....

[Logan69]

It seems as though the Enosoft solution is working for me. I appreciate everyone's assistance. Johnny - thanks!

[Logan69]

I think I may have spoken too soon........a new issue has arisen. I have applied the settings that you have suggested, Johnny. However, it is now, two different times, I'm noticing, only capturing 19 minutes and 50 seconds worth of video. So, it seems I've gotten past the five minute issue, however now, for a 60 minute tape, which I am watching as it is capturing, it only captures 19 minutes and 50 seconds. What seems to be happening is that the preview display freezes, as does the capture display. However, the counter at the bottom continues to count the frames and state that 0 frames have been lost and the fully 3600 plus seconds have counted away. Once again, Help!

[Logan69]

P.S.....the file size on three efforts of capturing seems to be the same. 4,194,267 KB

[thecoalman]

Right click your hard drive icon in My Computer and select properties. On the general tab next to file syatem does it say FAT32 or NTFS .

If it's FAT32 you're hitting the 4GB limit for FAT32. You need to convert it to NTFS. Back up any important files you have to another drive or other medium, right click the drive again and select format. From the drop down list selct NTFS.

Micosoft states this conversion is usually painless but the possibility for corruption does exist. If it fails you will most likely have to reinstall windows.

[Logan69]

I'll check it out this evening....thanks.

[Logan69]

Converted the file system from FAT32 to NTFS and that seems to have done the trick. THANKS!.....one last question (hopefully...lol)....is there a way to set a timer within the Enosoft application to only capture x amount of minutes? this would allow me to start the cam and the capture process within enosoft, set it for 60 mins (the time of an average tape) and then walk away without having to worry about being there to stop the capturing once the tape is finished?

Thanks!

[Logan69]

Everything seems to be working for me except this last piece of trying to be able to set a timer for how long the Enosoft capture will work for. Does anyone have an answer to this?

Additionally, while I'm asking, are there optimal settings for the Enosoft DV Processor, so as to obtain the best capture from a MiniDV cassette as possible? I'm presently saving in DV-1 format. Things like, should I use the Aspect Ratio Conversion or any other settings to get the best picture?

THANKS!

[JohnnyMalaria]

Please refer to the Smart Device Control section in the Help file. It describes how to use the built-in timer.

RE quality, generally you want to do as little to the incoming video as possible. Saving directly to Type-1 or Type-2 DV AVI will give you a bit-for-bit copy of what the camcorder sends to the PC. Whether you choose to perform any processing with the DV Processor or not depends on what your goals are. Some of the software's functions are done in such a way as to cause no loss of quality (e.g., brightness, saturation and white balancing). Others are designed to do the same as other software but much faster and with the same, if not less, effect on quality. In the case of Aspect Ratio Conversion, if you have widescreen footage that you want to watch on a regular TV, this feature lets you play the widescreen AVI and send it live out via FireWire to your camcorder which you can hook up to the TV. The widescreen DV AVI is converted on the fly to letterboxed DV. (This feature was the whole reason the software came about and with the licensed version it can do it between two camcorders live).

For most purposes, you probably wouldn't want to letterbox your widescreen footage. Typically, it is destined for DVD and you should author the DVD with the native widescreen material. The DVD player will take care of letterboxing if needed.

[Logan69]

Thanks Johnny!