Capture size using Vision (PCTV Rave)

[Coz]

Is it possible to increase the size from 320 x 240 to capture a video clip using Vision (PCTV Rave)?

[Hong Kong Phooey]

I think you're limited in the vision software, you'd be better served looking at 3rd party options eg:VirtualDub, IUVCR, AVI_IO etc.

[CaptainC]

What version of the software for the rave are you using? I upgraded the rave software to the pro version as you probably know there are 2 versions of the PC TV card, The Rave card which you have and The Pro card these cards are the same in function except the pro card has a remote. The new software for the pro card has options to capture VCD, SVCD and DVD as well as all the usual Avi captures. You can also change the frame size to capture as well. I have tried a few other softwrares like Ulead media studio, PowerVCR and WinDVR to name a few. Ulead will not increase the picture size beyond 352 x 288 but captures VCD and XVCD well, you can capture SVCD but only at the same frame size as VCD but it will work, PowerVCR by Cyberlink will allow frame size changes but capture is poor. Through all my use i have found that the PCTV pro software has the best results. This software can be purchased from Pinnacle for about £20 and is worth it. I upgraded from the rave software to the pro software, i called pinnacle and they sent the software free of charge just depends on luck and how you play it but even if you pay for the upgrade it is worth it this softeare is the only reliable way to capture anything better than VCD with this card. The software version is PCTV Pro 5.01 have a look at the pinacle site.

[Coz]

Thanks Hong Kong Phooey. I tried running the video clip throught VirtualDub, but when I increase the size in that, it goes all pixelated. I need to have it larger to start with.

Thanks CaptainC. I'm just using the basic software, not the Pro. So you can use the Pro software with the basic TV card? You don't have to get the Pro TV card?

[CaptainC]

Yes, the only thing you dont install is the remote software this is done by selecting custom install. SVCD capture is pretty damn good there are a few draw backs like bit rate is selected by presets for instance the min bit rate for SVCD is 2500 you'll fit around 47 mins on a 80min CD-R and its a variable bit rate too i prefer constant bit rates but thats a personal choice.
Do you have access to broadband, high speed internet connection, there are copys of this software on Kazaa and e-donkey.
You could leave your e-mail so i could mail it to you let me know about your connection

[Coz]

Thanks. No, I don't have braodband - just a modem. If I can get VirtualDub to work, I'll be ok, but I'm getting an error when I try to 'capture video.'

[CaptainC]

I use virtual dub myself but have never used it to capture because it would never do it properly lots of droped frames and things i use it only to edit Divx movies now its great for that but you may have better luck than I had. I didnt really have anyluck with capture on this card until i upgraded the capture software which added vital codecs needed to do this
I think that pinnacle have aimed to remove full functionality on the rave to get more sales on the pro both the same cards, what you really pay for is the important software its a pity because the rave gets quite slatted against the pro. I didnt manage to get any results with the card and the software supplied i really would save pain and time and call pinnacle, I did and when they asked what model it was i may have led them to belive that it was possibly a pro card and that the software upgrade on the site was creating error messages when i tried to use it which was true. They sent out the Pro software for free which is sold on pinnacles europe site "the E-store" i think it costs about £20 but well worth it. sorry i cant explain the error message but as i said i had pretty much given up on the card until i got the upgrade its a new device now.

[Coz]

Ok, thanks CaptainC. If I can't get VirtualDub to work, I might do that.