total noob transfering VHS tapes to DVD

[dutchg]

Thanks, Puzzler. I can't think of what to do differently to get VD working. I'll take a look at the other two you mentioned.

[Brad]

I've done some searches again, and again I can't seem to find any Hauppauge WDM drivers without them imbedded within WinTV.

They have a "Drivers" tab on their page, but the current filename is a bit worrying (wintv-hvr-850_950q_driver_all.exe) -- particularly given that the instructions don't even match up anymore. They tell you to unzip the download...

Here is the hotlink to the old file with only drivers: http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/drivers/10drv_31085_whql.zip

dutchg: So are you sure you're using the 32-bit VirtualDub now? You should be.

[dutchg]

Thanks, vaporeon. I tried with the driver link you sent, but no dice. Yes, I'm using 32-bit VD...or, rather, that's the one I have installed; I'm not using it yet, as it's not working. I'm experimenting with the quality I'm getting from Debut, which is working. I didn't reckon on the amount of voodoo involved in vid capture.

[Brad]

You might try AmaRecTV. I've had issues where it failed to report dropped frames, though.

[PuzZLeR]

Thanks, vaporeon. I tried with the driver link you sent, but no dice. Yes, I'm using 32-bit VD...or, rather, that's the one I have installed; I'm not using it yet, as it's not working. I'm experimenting with the quality I'm getting from Debut, which is working. I didn't reckon on the amount of voodoo involved in vid capture.

Yes, video capture is not an easy thing to set up and do. It took me years before I got a system going, and even so, it still will always have its issues, and despite my (mostly) smooth operation currently, even I developed newer issues when migrating this system to Windows 7 and/or 64 bit. I got some stuff going, yes, but in the end found peace just sticking with XP/32 bit for VHS capture.

I don't like to recommend an obsolete* system, but only if one does have an XP system around. Do you have an old box somewhere? You won't need anything later than a 2006-2007 machine. Just back up and reformat the drive and set it up only for video capture - you may be surprised at how it will be flawless, and will relieve your modern machines for other tasks.

*I mean "obsolete" in a theoretical sense. I'm very annoyed at XP's end of support, and annoyed at the Windows 8 direction...

I've had issues where it failed to report dropped frames, though.

A good way to test if the app drops frames when you don't have the benefit of reporting is to capture the same sequence, about 30-60 minutes at least, like 5 times, sync them at the beginning, then run them through with stackhorizontal(clip1,clip2,clip3,clip4,clip5). Look particularly for scene changes throughout and if all captures change on the same frame. If you find they don't line up properly, and the tape was in good shape, you have dropped frames.

[dutchg]

Vaporeon, thanks for the recommendation. I'll give it a look.

Puzzler, I don't have an extra box around. I share your attitude about Windows 8. I'm happy enough with 7, but yes, XP was finally humming along when it, of course, had to be kicked to the curb.

Lemme see how this AmaRecTV might work...

[PuzZLeR]

In my early tests of AmaRecTV all's well. Seems like a good substitute if you can't get VirtualDub to work. It's DirectShow compatible and does not seem like a "Consumer Joe" tool, which Debut appeared to be to me.

Dutchg - if you get this tool working for you, I can help along with some tests for tweaks, compatibility with other capture devices, and test it for dropped frames.

As well, if you don't have a DirectShow decoder, like ffdshow, installed, you may have problems with this app, or could be your problem with VirtualDub originally.

[dutchg]

Like VirtualDub, AmaRedTV seemed to work the first time I started it (I wasn't capturing, but I could see the video running in its GUI). Since that first time, it's not been able to connect to the incoming vid. My NCH Debut software, too, is picky about when it wants to capture. Seems if I do a fresh reboot of everything, it'll run right. But if anything happens in the interim, or if I shut down the app and do other things with the computer then re-open the app and try again, it doesn't connect (though the Hauppage always shows up in all of the apps' option page).

[PuzZLeR]

Did you ever install a DirectShow decoder, such as ffdshow? Maybe that's why your system is having problems with VFW or decoding the streams.

I hate to make you keep installing stuff, but ffdshow is not only free and great software in the video world, it's also a very useful tool apart from just making capture software run, and it's worth trying.

[dutchg]

Yup, I installed ffdshow. It shows up as a codec now in VirtualDub. (HuffYOV does not.) Still not working--I see no preview and when I try to start capture, I get "unable to start video capture" error popup.

[PuzZLeR]

OK.

Did you go through the manual installation properly for HuffYUV?

Did you try and capture with other formats, just to see if it's only HuffYUV that's the problem? Try DivX, Xvid, Cedocida DV codec, or whatever else you may have on your system.

Also, now that you've installed ffdshow, configure it to HuffYUV and try a capture.

Did you try compatibility modes?

[dutchg]

I did the HuffYUV install back when I was trying to run 64-bit--those manual instrux were for 64 bit. I've tried other formats--i.e., just now tried the ffdshow, because the Huffy's not there anymore. I don't know what compatibility modes are or how to try them.

[PuzZLeR]

I did the HuffYUV install back when I was trying to run 64-bit--those manual instrux were for 64 bit. I've tried other formats--i.e., just now tried the ffdshow, because the Huffy's not there anymore. I don't know what compatibility modes are or how to try them.

Try this first with VirtualDub: Video -> Compression -> ffdshow Video Codec -> Configure (button) -> HuffYUV (as Encoder) -> OK -> OK. (Or similar options depending on versions, etc.)

Then run a tape and a capture. (F5 or F6 to capture. Esc to stop.) Did you get your "Hello World"?

If that doesn't work, try Compatiblity Mode. Right click on VirtualDub or a shortcut of it. You will see options like "Troubleshoot compatiblity" and more in Properties in a tab. Play around with these a bit, try XP settings and see what happens after with a capture attempt.

[newpball]

I did the HuffYUV install back when I was trying to run 64-bit--those manual instrux were for 64 bit. I've tried other formats--i.e., just now tried the ffdshow, because the Huffy's not there anymore. I don't know what compatibility modes are or how to try them.

Make sure all this video stuff is in the same bitdepth. Or use 32 bit or use 64 bit, either is okay but you can't mix.