Patch for Pinnacle PCTV to get higher capturing resolution?

[Mirko]

Hi everybody,

I like to capture video with Vdub via Pinnacle PCTV. With my software and driver version (4.0) the Pinnacle captures only in VCD (352x288)-resolution. If I try to change to an higher res, I get the error message "Video input device can't be opened".

I tried to install the newer (WDM-) drivers, but Vdub seems to have major problems with it (dropped frames...).

Now I heard, for the older Pinnacle drivers exists a patch to make capturing with higher resolutions possible. Does anybody where I can get it?

Greetings from Germany, Mirko.

[Redd]

What's your capture card? Pinnacle AV/DV?

[Heavensent]

in virtualdub
select - video and select preview, and than select the resolution that you want.
after that you will have no problem.

right now you are using "overlay" mode and thats why you cant do it.
i dont know why, but it workes for me.

another solution is to download the pctv rave wdm drivers.
but you will have to use something ealse for capturing (iuvcr)
virtualdub will not work with wdm drivers (you have seen it yourself)

post if you need more help.

[Mirko]

Hi again,

@Redd: I'm using the Pinnacle PCTV rave, driver ver. 4.0

@Heavensent: Thx for your help, but it doesn't really helped me. iuvcr is for Win NT /XP (or so), and I'm still at Win98. Changing to Preview in Vdub brings no success.

Why I capture via Vdub? I want to burn my own DVD with captured material from a Digital-TV-set-top-box. With WDM drivers I tried to use realtime-MPEG2-capturing tools like PowerVCRII; but my system seems to be a little bit too old for (AMD Athlon 750, 256 MB RAM, ATI Rage 128).

However, I still hope to find the patch for Pinnacle PCTV.

Thx (and hope to get further replies),

Mirko.

[Redd]

Here's a link to their support with drivers, FAQ's and user forum.
Good luck.

http://pinnaclesys.com/support/products/info/default.asp?ProductID=306

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Although I own a PCTV pro,as the PCTV & rave series used the same driver,I think this should work.

Firstly, you should make sure the the version 5.x WDM drivers are uninstalled. After uninstalling them you should run a utility called Regcleaner (do a Google for it),& delete anything anything listed as Pinnacle Systems,(this will delete the WDM drivers from Windows 98 registary).

Second,reinstall your V4 VFW drivers CD, or you can try this link for an updated VFW drivers V4.02a
http://www.pinnaclesys.com/docsupport1.asp?division_id=1&langue_id=2&product_id=6&prod...CTV&page_id=62

Although I'm a PCTV pro owner, I'm fairly sure pinnacle releases the same driver for all three,(PCTV Rave,PCTV & PCTV pro cards). I've run this driver for my PCTV pro under Win 98 1st Edition & it works fine.

As to the capture sizes,you need to make sure your video source has Video Overlay switched off. On your Video Settings in Virtual Dub go to Source & the Video Source properties box should come up.
In the Overlay box make sure "Use Primary" is selected. & anywhere else you must make sure you do not have Overlay switched on.

Now you should be able to capture in resolutions higher than 352x288. When I did a few VHS to VCD captures, I was able to do multisegmented captures in 640x480 PAL using the Huffy AVI no problems. I also suggest you may want to turn the preview window off whilst capturing too to avoid dropped frames etc.

Hope this helps.

[donsmith]

http://btwincap.sourceforge.net/

Check out that place for the generic "universal" drivers for your pci card. I have used it for a long time and it works much better than the pinnacle drivers and offers many things not offered by them either.

The drivers are for all bt878 capture chips so they work with more than one card.

Perhaps we could make this a sticky somehow because i know tons of people recommend this chipset for capture (because i believe it is pretty good) and i always see people frustrated with their drivers.

hope this helps.

[Mirko]

Hi again,

thank you very much for all your help. Unfortunately nothing helped me really... so I think I'll get a new computer and solve my problem this way...

What ever, thanx a lot to all of you,

greetinx, Mirko.