Help capturing VHS tapes

[Werble]

I am trying to capture VHS tape home movies using either virtualdub, virtual vcr, or the mainconcept mpeg2 capture software. Everytime i try to capture from the VHS source I get "failed to capture" on mainconcept or capture "format unsupported" in virtualdub and I can't get anything to show up in virtual vcr. However, everything captures fine when using the s-video source on any program mentioned without so much as a dropped frame. The other weird thing is that I can capture VHS source using powervcr and windvr. I have tried different resolutions, codecs but just can't get going. Does anyone have any suggestions as to any settings that need to be in place for me to capture from VHS?

I want to use picvideo mjpg as my codec as all my captures from my digital box come out flawless even after converting to mpeg2. I want to do the same for my VHS tapes but just can't get going other than to use the crappy mpeg2 encoders that come with powerdvr or windvr. Can anyone help? Thanks.

[fangstar]

Well......

If you want to convert from VHS to DVD the best way to go is with ADS Instant DVD.

ADS has a decoder that allows you to convert any VHS video into a DVD.

Check there website.

The decoder comes with complete software package.

[Werble]

Thanks Fangstar I'll check it out. But I thought I would be able to do it from the other programs I mentioned. Can't understand why I wouldn't be able to do it with what I have.

[disturbed1]

What capture card are you using?

I'm a little confused. You say it won't work using VHS input, You mean Composite input (RCA)?

Don't change compression codecs, but input format and resolution. Such as RGB24, YUY2, YUV9. Sounds like you're choosing an input format that the card doesn't support.

For the Morgan MJPEG codec (similar to Pic Video) and a BT878 capture card, I use 720x480 YUY2 input format, then choose MJPEG for compression.

If your input format is YV12 384x480, or some other oddball number, your card can error out like you stated, because it can't digitize to that format.


In Power VCR (I supose WinDVR also) when select to use the real time mpeg codec, it switches the input format to RGB for you. In Virtual Dub you have to specify the input format your self.

[Werble]

Yes, I am hooking up my VCR via the composite outputs to a Hauppauge wintv tuner card which has composite inputs for video. I am not sure whether I should be using RGB,YUY2, YUV9 etc. How do I know which to use? As a mater of fact, I think I tried changing to all three with the same problem (but can't remember for sure). I'll have to try again. I was going to use PIC video mjpeg but couldn't get past starting the actual capture.

[WuphonsReach]

Capture using MJPEG, Q19 or Q20, YUY2, at any one of these resolutions: 720x480/576, 704x480/576, 352x480/576. Framerate of 29.97 fps for NTSC (25-something for PAL).

VirtualVCR should have no problem with a WinTV card, unless it's the 250 or 350 PVRs... (the 250/350 can only capture into MPEG2 format?)

[handyguy]

If you have a lot of vhs just get a dvd recorder (panasonic e50 or better). Its real simple then & you can use your computer to do other things.