VIDEO CARD FAULT

[ChrisX]

I just noticed this imaging fault with the video card for capturing. The last couple days the interferences appeared on the top and at the bottom of the video screen. Sometimes it appears both at the top and bottom of the screen and at other times only the top or only the bottom of the video screen.

The video card is Cougar as NVIDIA RIVA TNT2, 32MB-video memory capture. The video program is Guillemot DVR. I didn't have a problem since the card was installed 3 months ago. The capturing was wonderful and I am worried this might effect my capturing of videos into the hard drive.

The video size is usually at 352 x 288 and the fault only affects the full screen monitor viewing of the source. The video resolution seems to be effected as well on full screen. Not as sharp as it was! I don't know what it is. Is it the fault of the video card or the DVR program? I tried another computer's TV card using the same video source and found OK. No interferences at all.

I am using a video-capturing program not really for Windows XP and this may have some bearing on the fault. The DVR program never starts with a picture and I have the set the image manually every time to PAL or NTSC.

What should I do, buy another video capturing program compatible with WinXP or check with my technician on the video card? I can't decide and the video card works fine as a small picture to view the TV, video and the DVD. See what happens with it.

[ChrisX]

I have tried PowerVCR 2 to see if any difference in the full screen viewing of the source. I downloaded the free trail version of the program and there was no image from the source at all when using it.

The problem was due to the video card and driver as not digitally signed for WinXP. It does not comply with Microsoft's strict VfW standard for WinXP. The WDM does not work for the image automatically and therefore no image and no recording from TV. It is no good and I had to uninstall PowerVCR 2 and re-installed the original DVR program and now back to normal.

The normal DVR displays no image at start up for the same reason as above and I have to select the TV system settings manually to PAL or NTSC first. When this is done, everything is fine except for the interferences at the top and bottom of the screen at full monitor viewing of the source.

I tried the video capturing as 352x288 AND since then nothing have changed in the capturing, everything is fine and normal for a ten minute clip of TV. No problem with the capturing despite the full screen fault.

I just wait and see what happens to the video card in the future. Might get another one compatible with WinXP with the CD-ROM.

[ChrisX]

The defective Cougar video card is now gone. I am now using Leadtek's WinFast A250 TD MyVIVO.

The capturing and the display adapter device is so much better now.