Help with ADVC-100 - can't seem to get video input

[jcat]

I just got my ADVC-100 and hooked it up, with the goal of capturing analog output from my SVHS recorder (VHS tape). I've got the VCR composite audio outputs and Svideo outputs hooked up to the corresponding inputs on the front of the ADVC device, and the firewire cable (6 pins both ends) hooked into the 6-pin input at the back of the ADVC.

My computer is recognizing the device - it's showing up on the "my computer" page. And Scenalyzer also appears to recognize that I'm hooked up - it is giving me the option to start capturing. But when I press "play" on the VCR, nothing is showing on the preview screen (even though I have the Scenalyzer options set to preview), and when I hit capture, it looks like I'm capturing - ie, I have the option to "stop capture" in Scenalyzer - but no file is created. I tried DVIO, but it crashes every single time ithout capturing anything.

Another thing: I've tried holding down the button on the top of the ADVC for 5 seconds. I gather I'm supposed to see color bars, but I have no idea where - nothing happens. When I double click on the device name in the "My Computer" folder, I get a big gray screen and nothing else.

Can anyone help?

[rcb]

jcat - cuppla ideas.

try to isolate problem area; hook your vcr to a tv and verify you can play/see/hear the tape there. If OK, hook the very same vcr leads back into your advc100 front ports.
If not OK, re-check your advc100 settings (dip switches on the bottom -see manual - and the front digital/analog selector - set to analog). If Macrovision is involved, press and hold selector button for at least 30 seconds, making sure selector stays set to analog after holding down.
Unit should show up in your "my computer" screen as "AVC compliant DV tape recorder/player" and be listed as "digital camera"
If ScenalyzerLive will not show anything in it's preview when you again press play on your vcr, try hooking your tv composite outputs into the advc 100 and see if you then get a Scenalyzer preview picture/sound from the tv. If it does, the problem is somewhere in your vcr to advc100 hookup. If not, perhaps time to give Canopus support a call.
good luck.

[proxyx99]

I have DAC-100 (similar). Follow previous post and MAKE SURE that you have correctly selected the input mode (digital - analog) or check AUTO detect (if provided). I suggest troubleshooting first in Windows Movie Maker. If it works u know its the application setup, if no, possible hardware setup issue.

[jcat]

hook your vcr to a tv and verify you can play/see/hear the tape there.

Did that already. Works perfectly. And the very same vcr with the very same outputs worked perfectly when I had the outputs connected to a Snazzi III USB2. These are the very same vcr leads that I've hooked into my advc100 front ports.

If not OK, re-check your advc100 settings (dip switches on the bottom -see manual - and the front digital/analog selector - set to analog).

All done. Dip switches are all correct, digital/analog selector is correct - and when I have it set to automatic detect it is properly detecting that it is receiving analog input.

If Macrovision is involved, press and hold selector button for at least 30 seconds, making sure selector stays set to analog after holding down.

No Macrovision involved. These are home-made VHS tapes of tv shows.

Unit should show up in your "my computer" screen as "AVC compliant DV tape recorder/player" and be listed as "digital camera"

Yep. Device is properly recognized on my computer screen and in device manager, as is 1394 firewire card.

If ScenalyzerLive will not show anything in it's preview when you again press play on your vcr, try hooking your tv composite outputs into the advc 100 and see if you then get a Scenalyzer preview picture/sound from the tv.

Tried this. No luck. Still no preview screen, even though Scenalyzer recognizes the device. Similarly no preview screen in Movie Maker - tried that too.

If not, perhaps time to give Canopus support a call.

I guess it's time for this .... what a pain. The whole reason for purchasing this device was because it was supposed to be easy.

Good luck

Thanks. I'll update when (if) I figure out the problem so others can learn from my experience.

[rcb]

jcat -

you're most welcome. Just wished you could have got up and going.
FWIW, my advc100 box has been good from the git-go.

proxyx99 -

good idea on using WMM - takes one more variable out of the puzzle.

[mayday56]

after everything is connected and you have a tape playing unplug and then replug your firewire from the canopus..worked for me

[proxyx99]

Yep. Device is properly recognized on my computer screen and in device manager, as is 1394 firewire card.

Taken literally- if this is true then your unit is not recognised correctly. The device showing up in windows Movie Maker should be either "Microsoft DV device" or a flavour of it (but a DV device in any case). This is a proof that your pc can see sth beyond a 1394 (your ADVC-100). Normal operationis -> be4 connecting - only 1394 visible in Device Manager, when u connect a DV device -> popup saying unknown device followed by MS DV device icon in systray by the clock (or similar). The DV thing has to be in play mode (VCR). If you see only 1394 then ADVC is not recognised.
Btw. don't torture yourself and call Canopus, they employ people to help in situations like yours, wake them up!

[jcat]

The problem definitely was *not* that the device wasn't being recognized. It (and the 1394 card) were being recognized perfectly.

I finally gave up and called Canopus. They told me to try a different vcr - and voila, it worked! I finally figured out that in order for the JVC I was using to work, the channel had to be set to line (L-1) rather than to a channel. Why? I have absolutely no idea. But at least this was one problem solved!

[proxyx99]

Great, that was easy, wasn't it? Remember, part of the price you pay for such product is to finance Tech Support. So use it. You paid for it.

[jcat]

Well, I wouldn't say easy! At least an hour on the phone with tech support not being able to figure out the problem; more experimentation on my own with different vcrs; various forum posts; email to tech support; started to pack up the device and got ready to send it back to them; then this was the *last* thing anyone suggested to me to try.

Not sure if this is a common issue - maybe only with certain VCRs? But it'd have been nice if "set vcr channel to line" was listed somewhere in the instructions or on the faqs or somewhere. Support was great, but it shouldn't have been necessary.

[vhelp]

@ all.. TGIF

@ jcat..

the L1 is for LineInput. Some vcr's have two L1/L2, such as mine.
Usually, L1 will be the RCA connects in the front of the vcr, while L2 will be
in the rear of the vcr.
.
.
Then, when you want to (depending on which OUTPUT connetions you want
to feed out of your VCR, you have to tell the vcr via the remote. I had this
problem too, many years ago. It's a shame you didn't realise this.
.
.
It's not Canopus's fault either. Its actually yours because you should
have ben familiar w/ your vcr capabilities (even if you never planned on
using it, cause you never know.. ) hence..

Still, it's good you finally got it working. Now, for the fun part of it all.

From the Video Workstation of,
-vhelp 2087

[jcat]

Well, it's definitely my fault and not Canopus's - I agree with that. I'm not blaming them at all. Just saying that - since their goal is to help make it easier for users, and they have forums and support staff devoted to this, it would be nice if this was mentioned somewhere on the forums on the list of issues. It would save their support people the hassle of dealing with it, if nothing else. I definitely spent a lot of time in the forums before I called them - if the answer had been there I probably would have found it.

But no harm done! I'm just happy to have it working. If only the solution to all my issues was this simple! :P

[vhelp]

I know how you feel too (or again) as I shared in spending some time
seaching their forum one+ years ago to, w/ my own issues. But, they were
as miniscule as yours :P
.
.
But, the moment I did try their suggestions, ..heaven, pure heavin hehe..

But, you could suggestion that they add that issue into the factoid list :P
Yeah, that'll be one less call for the next advc fan to make

-vhelp 2088

[Stonechatz]

Seeing as this string is considering ScenalyzerLive and the Canopus ADVC 100 - I shall attempt to get some enlightenment here. My Canopus ADVC 100 via WMM makes perfect DV type-1 files, massive but usable. But! Using ScenalyzerLive gives me jerky, stuttering video. Ulead also. Pinnacle Studio 8 as well. Why? I have switched off Device Control, and have no audio nor visual preview whilst recording? Only WMM seems to work ... 2.4GHz P4, 1Gb memory, 149Gb NTFS disc via USB2 (attested as good for video-capture). As a by-the-by - system idle process seems to require 100% of my processor from time to time, even as 100% of the CPU is required for video-capture - wonders if this might be the cause? ScenalyzerLive does capture audio only in a perfect manner ...

[ZAPPER]

I finally figured out that in order for the JVC I was using to work, the channel had to be set to line (L-1) rather than to a channel. Why? I have absolutely no idea. But at least this was one problem solved!

Too funny! I do the the same kind of stuff all the time. For some reason after I make adjustments with check boxes or whatever I just close the window and can't figure out why things ain't working like I want. I forget about half of the time to ckick OK or Apply. It is the simple things that can screw you up, but by posting your solution you may have saved countless machines from the landfill! Thanks