legacy of sh*t continues...

[drewson99]

for those of you just tuning in...

I have posted about this but (and I don't believe nobody else has had this problem) nobody EVER responds.

When I xfer my D8 tapes via firewire/1394 to my HD, the audio gradually loses synch (off by a few seconds by the end of a 1 hour tape). A month ago this was not the case, then I started a new project and now I have the issue.

I have tried:

--DVIO (my old favorite which has now stabbed me in the back)
--Ulead Video Studio (only caps type 1 no matter what I change the settings to)
--Scenalyser Live (worked once then had the same synch issues everything else did)

then, a friend told me about Windows Movie Maker, and I was so desperate I actually upgraded one of my computers to XP so I could use it, thinking that 1st party stuff might not have this problem:

--Windows Movie Maker (caps in Type 1)

I even tried to use the AVI 1 to AVI 2 converter, but it gives me blocks of white noise in the middle randomly (plus I would rather not have the extra step)

I need type 2 because I need to edit in VirtualDub.

This problem is as simple as any consumer trying to put his home movies onto his computer/DVD, so I KNOW SOMEBODY ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.

Please any info is appreciated. I answer newbie questions (and some more advanced) almost daily here, I have put in my time, someone do me a favor please.

so after trying everything that was suggested, and getting Premiere 6.1 to cap in sync, Premiere freezes every 13 minutes or so.

I am using 2 different computers, Win2000 and XP, different HDs 7200/8MB buffer etc.

FINALLY GOT FED UP AND BOUGHT A Canpous ADVC-100.

I plugged it in, made sure the audio sync button was set to audio lock, and capped my tape with DVIO.

...and of course, it is still out of sync.

Anybody?

[TBoneit]

Never seen that, I use the ADVC-100 & Scenalyzer Live too. I can only assume it's happening when you edit/convert.

Have you tried a straight capture and burn without editing?
I use CCE Basic to convert. Burn with Ulead MF2, My fanciness needs are minmal with regards to things like motion menus etc.

Good Luck
Roger

[drewson99]

this is before anything. I go to look at the resultant AVI and it is like that before editing or burning or anything.

[TBoneit]

WIsh I could help, but at this point you are beyond me.

Good Luck
RT

[vandakeg]

could it possibly be the program you're using to playback the DV files? Just thinkin out loud here.

[Rich927]

A suggestion... When you capture using Videostudio, check the scene detection box. This will divide your capture into seperate files for each scene. If there is 15 scenes, there will be 15 seperate files. Had synch problem too and this seemed to help. do you have a built in audio card? Or do you have a slot video card? Videostudio captures type 1 avi but you can convert into type 2 avi. Pinnacle Studio 7/8 captures in type 2 avi. It captures as one file. When you go to edit in Studio, it will divide into scenes but uses an index (.stu) file to do so.

[disturbed1]

Hate to jump in at this point but.....

Let's rule out the camera and tape.

Dub your DV tape to VHS. Make sure it's a brand new VHS tape, and your tape heads are clean. Watch it on TV to see if it's out of sync.

If it isn't, plug your VCR into your ADVC. Capture as usual, if it's out of sync, you could have a heat problem. Hard drives can get real hot after extended data transfers. Take the side pannel off the PC and set a 20" box fan in front of it. Still out of sync? Call Canopus for a RMA number.

[Bondiablo]

it shouldn't be possible for the captured file to be out of sync when using the advc. have you got your source connected correctly? you didn't connect the video to the advc and the audio to your sound card did you? are you capturing to DV (file should be about 12-13GB per hour) or are you converting to another format as you capture?

[drewson99]

i'm just using a standard 1394 cable and using DVIO. no sound card being used, just DV AVI, about 13GB/hour like you say.

[StudeBarc]

Yo Drewson,

Sorry to hear of your continuing issues with DV via firewire. Here's a snippet for you from some docs on the capturing of type2 DV-AVI problem.

" In Type 2, the audio data is duplicated in the interleave, which means it must be extracted first, then rewritten in the interleave. This can lead to audio sync problems"

Referrence source: http://thetechnozone.com/videobuyersguide/Codecs/Type1-Type2-DV.html

Having said that for type2, is it possible to capture type1 and further use/edit? For me I am able to capture in type2 without sync issues. Memory latency issues possible due to mobo design can be the cause of type2 sync failures. My Giga GA7 seemingly doesn't have them.

Hope this is some assistance, otherwise keep on plugging away?

Regards
Studebarc.

[rhegedus]

I've got an ADVC-100 and use Scenalyser to capture. I've noticed occasionally that when capturing for about an hour or more the sync gradually gets skewed by about a second (from what I remember, the sound is in front of the film). This is only apparent during capture - when I play the avi capture file back, it's all 100% in sync with no loss of frames or anything to suggest there was anything amiss with the capture.

I don't know if this is a characteristic of DV, but if you've ever plugged in a DV camcorder then pointed it at the screen whena capture program is on, there appears to be a lag between what you do and what is portrayed on the monitor. Who knows, maybe it's all linked in somewhere....... anyone else notice this?

[drewson99]

Having said that for type2, is it possible to capture type1 and further use/edit? For me I am able to capture in type2 without sync issues. Memory latency issues possible due to mobo design can be the cause of type2 sync failures. My Giga GA7 seemingly doesn't have them.

Hope this is some assistance, otherwise keep on plugging away?

yeah, I have used type 1 and it is always in perfect sync. unfortunately, VirtualDud won't edit them, and I have tried to use the type1->type2 converter and not only do I end up with the same sync problem, but the resultant type2 AVI has blasting white noise from time to time.

can't wait till tomorrow when I can call Canopus. I almost feel like I paid $300 for a 800 number - basically, this is the first time I have been entitled to tech support for my problem since evrything I have been using before the ADVC was freeware or OEM firewire.

thanks all, and if you have anything to contribute, please do.

I am going to do what "disturbed" suggested this afternoon.

Andy

[Bondiablo]

anyone else notice this?

I have noticed that the conversion/transfer isn't instantaneous, there is a slight lag between what I see on my TV and what is being shown in the preview window of Scenalyzer but I've done captures of over 2 hours in both Type 1 and 2 and never had the audio get out of sync.

Odd that even a Type 1 file that was in sync would become out of sync when converted to Type 2. Which converter did you use? Do you drop any frames during capture? What version of DirectX do you have installed? Which other DV codecs do you have installed? I noticed all you hard drives are 7200rpm but you also have an external firewire hard drive. Do you capture to this drive? I remember reading about a rare instance with the Miglia Director's Cut 2 (a similar device to the Canopus) where audio could get out of sync when capturing to an external drive like that.

[txpharoah]

Three things...

1. The Canopus external devices are not all that great. Canopus makes great items, but these cards were a disappointment. I expected more from that company.

2. Garbage in makes garbage out.

3. Out of sync, loss of frames, etc, can be from numerous errors... usually software errors or users overtaxing the system during capture. Shut off other programs. You'll also have issues if you installed too many codecs, especially a codec pack. Heat is also a good suggestion: be sure to stay in a cooled room with a ventilated computer.

[yg1968]

I have noticed that interlaced video will appear to be out of sync on Windows Media Player. However, it will not be out of sync if you play it back with PowerDVD. Therefore, I suggest that you play your DV file with PowerDVD. PowerDVD de-interlaces the video, so that the sound does not appear out of sync upon playback. Windows Media player does not de-interlace. The DV file is probably not out of sync, if you convert it to mpeg and play the DVD or VCD on your TV, the sound will likely be fine.