I have just gotten an HP m370n media center PC which includes the ShowBiz 2 software. I've been having some problems capturing our Hi-8 videos (which was the sole purpose of getting the PC) and hope someone here can help because neither ArcSoft or HP tech support have been able to yet. My troubles right now are:

-Our Sony camcorder (purchased in 99) cable has a yellow (video) and black (audio) plug only, where the PC has yellow, red, and white outlets. I've been plugging yellow into yellow and black into red and have been able to capture some video, but it is hit-or-miss. It will capture for a few minutes but then the video being captured starts jumping and getting a lot of static (the camcorder viewfinder shows good video), and the bad video ends up being what I ultimately burn on a DVD. I'm wondering if I need different cables to connect camc. to PC (if they're even available?).

-The first captured video I did came out great for the first 20 minutes (then the static began), but suddenly the next day the other videos I succeeded in capturing are very dark and unseeable (the video on the camc. viewfinder is fine). I didn't change any settings that I'm aware of so I'm not sure why the video is so dark.

-I'm very disappointed in the software, mainly because I can't get ArcSoft "tech support" to respond to any questions, and the help index offers absolutely nothing that is not purely basic, and a "duh" answer. I wondered if anyone else is familiar enough with the software, who can offer any tips - or if there could be another software that I could use that would be better (keeping in mind that I'm new to all this!).

-Also, would it be better to just get a digital camcorder? Maybe our Hi8 is too old for this technology?

I have 9 more days before my 14-day return allowance is over and I'm considering returning the whole daggone thing and forgetting about it. But this is something I really wanted to learn to do, and I'm hoping I can get all the bugs worked out. Any tips/help would be greatly appreciated!!Thank you!