Capturing with AVerMedia DVD EZMaker PCI

[brookelh]

Is anyone capturing avi files with this card?

I am capturing using iuVCR using HuffyUV, but my results have been less than ideal. After much troubleshooting and help on the newbie conversion forum, I (we?) think the trouble might be with my capture resolution. I have been capturing at 720 x 480. I have read through much discussion about the pros and cons of various capture resolutions; we don't need to repeat that here! I just wondered if anyone is using this card successfully, and if so, what resolution are you using?

[lordsmurf]

Find FULCILIVES posts.

[FulciLives]

If you look at your capture card (you will have to pull it out of the computer) you should be able to tell what chipset it has.

As I stated in your other thread ... if it is the Philips chipset then a width of 720 should be fine (assuming you are doing a capture with an eye towards putting it on DVD).

However I have read that this card sometimes has an NEC chipset ... and I know nothing about that.

You might want to take a look at the capture guide on the doom9 website as there is an advanced section on what resolution to use based on what type of capture card chipset you have.

The problems you are having though (based on that other thread of yours) is not related to resolution because if I understand correctly you are using 720x480 so ... that seems to be fine. At worst it might be an A/R error (if you have the NEC chipset that is a possibility) but an A/R error wouldn't cause the problems you are having.

It would be nice if someone with this actual capture card speaks up though ... and if so please identify what chipset your version of the card has ... again it should say on the card itself but you will have to pull it from the computer to take a look see.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

*** EDIT ***
It's time for sleep ... I keep making mistakes and keep editing and re-editing all my posts tonight hehehe

[BrainStorm69]

Actually, I think this card has either the BT878 chipset (older version of the card) or the Philips 7130 (newer version of the card). The Philips version (which I have) using the Avermedia drivers has a capture window of 704, so the best resolution is 704x480, then pad to 720x480 (keeps the aspect ratio correct).

If you have the BT878, I would guess that using the Avermedia drivers, you would need to use a resolution of 688x480 to keep the aspect ratio correct (then pad to 720). If you are using the BTwincap drivers, the capture window should be around 712, so 712x480 would be best (then pad to 720).

[housepig]

I capture using the Aver card / iuVCR / Huffyuv or MJPEG codec (depending on source) / 29.97fps, 720x480, and get good results.

Lordsmurf's site has the guide I wrote for him with all my settings.

[Anonymous65]

The current AVER Phillips SAA driver adds black (oversample) on each side so when capturing at 720 it does give the correct aspect ratio. If you get no black on each side when capturing at 720, your aspect ratio will be a little bit off when making a DVD (not that you would actually see it on a TV).

[brookelh]

Thanks for the advice. Housepig, I followed your guide, so I have been surprised that my captures aren't as good as I would like.

Dell has to come replace the fan on my computer, so when I have it open for that (or possibly to put in my new 250G hard drive for all these captures!) I will look at the card and see what chipset it is.

Then we can go from there.

When my husband suggested that I undertake this project of converting home videos to DVDs, I never DREAMED that I would be having a conversation about what chipset is on my capture card! But I have to admit, most of the time it is fun to be learning something new and puzzling it out. (Except between 12 am and 5 am!)

[BrainStorm69]

The current AVER Phillips SAA driver adds black (oversample) on each side so when capturing at 720 it does give the correct aspect ratio.

Interesting...I never realized that as I have been capturing at 704 the whole time. I'll have to test it out tonight.

[FulciLives]

Well the most current driver I have for my AverTV Stereo (a BT based card) still only captures 688 and does not add any black to the sides.

It does make sense to make the driver do that though because for those that like to capture direct to MPEG-2 DVD spec ... well they will not have an aspect ratio error now.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[brookelh]

Well, I don't know if anyone cares anymore, but I have the Philips chipset on my AVermedia card. (at least I assume I do since it has SAA7130HL on it an that is the number someone gave for the Philips chipset.)

Rereading the above posts, it doesn't seem like it matters if a capture at 704x480 or 720x480, as the driver "fixes" it for me. Is that correct?

Sadly, replacing the fan on the computer didn't help; on Wednesday they are going to replace the motherboard!

[BrainStorm69]

Well, I don't know if anyone cares anymore, but I have the Philips chipset on my AVermedia card. (at least I assume I do since it has SAA7130HL on it an that is the number someone gave for the Philips chipset.)

Rereading the above posts, it doesn't seem like it matters if a capture at 704x480 or 720x480, as the driver "fixes" it for me. Is that correct?

Sadly, replacing the fan on the computer didn't help; on Wednesday they are going to replace the motherboard!

I didn't notice the drivers padding the sides when I tried capturing at 720x480 this weekend, so I'd still cap at 704 and then pad the sides.

BTW, you are correct, that is the Philips chip.