VHS to DVD conversion- capture is way too dark

[kzip]

So, I am a complete and utter novice when it comes to this. I have looked through the forums and I've read a couple other posts regarding this issue, but the replies are like Greek to me. Here's my issue specifically:

Everything *was* going great. I captured VHS, converted from .AVI to MPEG-2 using DVDFlick, and burned four DVDs. They all look as good as the VHS. Then all of a sudden, the preview window, capture replay, and burned DVD are all too dark. I am using a Canopus ADVC 110. I was using Windows Movie Maker as the capture software, but when this happened I thought maybe I should try something different and switched to WinDV (per a recommendation on this site). No matter what I try, it is still too dark. Also, when I first open the program and begin to capture something, for a split second it looks normal and bright like it should then it immediately shifts to dark again.

So, not the software...so I thought maybe the hardware was messed up. Tried the VCR independently and it works fine. Could it be that my Canopus is blown? Or......? It's gotta be that or something stored on my computer during this whole process 'cause it was working fine at first... right?

I read something about maybe the codecs are wrong...I have no idea what a codec is, where to find it, how to adjust it, etc... I know, I know, quit rolling your eyes people. I told ya, I don't know computers...I just wanted to convert my multitude of VHS to DVD instead of having to replace all of them. I am a cheap b@st@rd, and this headache is what I get for my miserly ways.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[themaster1]

there is a button on the advc to set the black level if im not mistaken
0 ire or 7.5 ire ; digital or analog source respectively

[kzip]

Yeah, I saw that. I assume it has to be on analog, because the digital option stalls the capture. Here's another little tidbit I just noticed. I don't know if this helps or confuses the issue even more... If I have the VCR fastforwarding, the capture picture is perfect, but once I allow it to play normally, it goes back to being super dark. ???

[jagabo]

Does the ADVC 110 have the same pattern generator as the other ADVC devices? Capture a bit of that. How does it look?

[kzip]

Pattern generator??

[jagabo]

Some of the ADVC devices have built in pattern generators that will put out a test pattern like this:



How does this file look on your computer?

macbethdv.zip

[kzip]

The file looks fine on my computer... But how is that testing my ADVC device? I imported it into my capture software programs and it looks good there too.

[jagabo]

It isn't testing your ADVC. It's testing how your computer is displaying the video. Many things can effect how video looks on a computer. It sounds like video display on your computer is fine.

Capturing with WinDV isn't much more than a file transfer from the ADVC to the computer. So not much can go wrong with that.

I guess you've already tried connecting the VCR to a TV and it looks ok. Have you tried capturing another source? It does sound like the ADVC is having problems. But I don't know enough about it to say for sure.

[kzip]

Oh, oh, I gotcha. Sorry, I misunderstood. I did try hooking the VCR up to the tv and it plays fine. Yeah, I agree...it's gotta be the ADVC...darn.

I haven't tried capturing another source. Can I hook the ADVC up to a dvd player the same as the VCR? I could give that a try...

Got any suggestions about good DV devices? Is a Canopus a good one, or should I purchase something else?

[jagabo]

Canopus DV devices are among the favorites around here. Maybe someone else who knows the 110 will step in with some other suggestions.

[luigimar]

Hi,

I have a question.

Is your VHS a protected one (e.g. Macrovision)?

Sometimes when I try to watch a protected movie through another piece of equipment (DVD to VHS to TV) , something like that happens to me (that's why I don't do it anymore). The middle piece activates the protection and the screen looks black or if there is an image it looks awful, and when I fast forward I can see an image and many times it is in color too!

Another thing, how about NTSC vs PAL? Are you trying to play your VHS using the wrong format?

just some suggestions to think about, from my experience.

Good luck!

luigimar

[lordsmurf]

This isn't a PAL/NTSC issue, but the anti-copy is likely.

Canopus DV devices are among the favorites around here. .

I think they fell out of favor years ago, as more and more DV limitations became apparent, and as often devices that pre-filtered the signal quality started to appear (and for cheaper!). Not to mention other options, like Hauppauge card and DVD recorders, would look just as good with less time.