I am a beginer in this video world trying my luck for capturing movies on to my pc.
Hard ware details
Intel 2.4 ghz ( multy threading)
Intel D865 GLC mother Board.
512 Mb RAM
80 Gb HDD
CD R/W drive SONY 52x
Capturing from
SONY DCR TRV 33E (mini DV)
Capturing using USB.
Goal: To capture and convert my home videos to VCD for playing on stand alone VCD player (SAMSUMG)
I have been trying to capture the videos thru SONY image mixer software, supplied with the equipment, capturing the video in AVI format.
The video when played in a media player with 100 % zoom is ok, the picture is clear and sound is also ok, but when viewed in full screen mode the video becomes jerky and blurred.
The AVI file size is almost 4 gb for around 12-13 minutes of video.
Please help me to solve the said problem.
Saurabh
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Just to add
I have been told that the problem disappears by using a firewire card for capturing.
The question now remains how exactly does this happen, cos the file size with USB is also around 4 Gb for around 12-13 minutes of video, this makes me believe that if the file size is same ( using USB or Firewire) than how would it make a diiference ( as there would be no extra information).
Or capturing using USB fills in some stuff bytes so as to make the file size standard, and capturing using firewire actully fills in some more useful information rather than stuff bytes, which enhance the video quality.
The above required information would help me in deciding whether to go in for a firewire card or the problem lies elsewhere.
Saurabh -
Hi saurabh_fzr,
miniDV has a resolution (picture size) of either 720x576 or 720x480. If you're capturing by USB (the original USB, as opposed to the recently introduced USB2.0 - which is much faster) then the speed of transfer from your DV cam to your PC's hard drive, at that resolution, is not fast enough - probably way too low. And so, quite possibly, the cause of your jerky playback.
Firewire (also known as iLink) is much a faster transfer rate and is why it's been recommended. The firewire cards are pretty inexpensive and easy to install. The added bonus is that you could then capture in sufficient quality to make good DVD's rather than inferior quality VCD's. Of course, you'd need a DVD (re)writer but they're pretty cheap nowadays too.
The other thing that is a contributory factor is the spin speed of your hard drive. Basically, the faster the better. I believe that 7200 rpm is the current fastest. Also, make sure it's well defragged before capturing.
Don't be daunted by making DVD's - I started out with VCD's in early 2003 and created a DVD that I was well chuffed with by the end of the year. All from home movies on a DV cam like you.
Hope that helps...There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England: Telstra Stadium, Sydney, 22/11/2003.
Carpe diem.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. -
Thanks Daamon
i think the speed of the USB is not playing important role here ( any way I use USB 2), cos the file size.
As far as I know 60 minutes of video in AVI format occupies around 14 GB in HDD, which is totaly in sync with my file size, I get around 12-14 minutes of video in 4 GB.
I am willing to buy a firewire card but just want to confirm if the problem doesnt go away even with firewire card.
Saurabh -
Hi saurabh_fzr,
I'd say, as you're using USB 2, you're right to discount that as the problem.
Have you defragged the hard drive?
Has the hard drive got a decent spin speed?
Some go as far to recommend a separate hard drive dedicated just to capturing...
Have you tried other capture software? There's loads listed under "Capture" in the "Tools" section (listed on the left). Common ones I've seen mentioned on this site seem to be either VirtualDub or DVIO (both freeware, and seem to be well respected).
Other than that, my knowledge is limited.
Good luck.There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England: Telstra Stadium, Sydney, 22/11/2003.
Carpe diem.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. -
I have the TRV-38 which is pretty much the same camera with the exception of the LCD screen and a few other minor differences. I did some testing on mine with the sony sw capping both with firewire and USB. I suspect the USB port on the camera is only 1.1 as I was not able to cap at the same resolutions with the USB as the firewire and none of the video looked as good.
I tested a 1 min 40 sec clip taken indoors of my 4 month old son. I have not filmed anything out doors yet as it has been pretty cold the last week since I got my camera. All observations were at full screen mode (1280 x 1024)
Using Imagemixer sw included with the camera and USB.
The avi file (MPG is really bad) was 320 x 240 700mb using the USB connection. Video was blurry, noticable blocks and colours around edges of the subject and noise in the background.
Using Imagemixer sw and firewire
able to cap at 720 x 480, 380 mb using the DV setting. Video is much better little bit grainy but no blocks or blury video.
Using videostudio7 and USB
I was able to cap at 640 x 480 using Ulead videostudio 7, file size 700 mb. Video was still blurry and noise not as blocky as the imagemixer sw.
Using videostudio7 and firewire
able to cap at 720 x 480, 380 mb using the DV setting. Video is much better little bit grainy but no blocks or blury video. Very similar to the imagemixer with firewire. Bit of a pain as had to start the video on the camera as the sw would not control the camera.
Windows movie maker and USB
The movie maker sw actually looked remarkably good 9compared to the other USB caps) and was only 10 mb (wmv format) 640 x 480. It was by far the best of the USB caps although still slightly blurry.
Windv and firewire
Again the cap was 720 x 480, 380 mb and capture button started that camera. Video was still a bit grainy but was sharper then either videostuio7 or imagemixer w/firewire. -
Thanks Shmizer,
I think u are r right, I baught a firewire card and now i am able to capture a good quality video.
When I tried with Windows Mov Maker (USB), the video lost the timeline and in the playback it was running through is if it was a fast forward, loss of synchronisation between video and audio was also noticed (for a 15 min minute video, the audio was a lagging by about 30 seconds)
With the Firewire I have tried only Image Mixer, and the results were good, No dropped frames, the frame size was 720 x 560 ( my seting was PAL). I tried to burn it to VCD using Nero 6, but the results were horrible. I shall have to look for some good conversion software, if some one can help.
At the end one question still remains unanswered
How can the AVI file of 13 minutes(video) duration with frame size of 352 x 288(using USB), be of the same size as that with 20 minutes duration and frame size of 720 x 560 ? with the latter being much better.
I am not able to undersatnd or digest it.
If sime body can answer that. -
Hi saurabh_fzr,
I baught a firewire card and now i am able to capture a good quality video.
I tried to burn it to VCD using Nero 6, but the results were horrible. I shall have to look for some good conversion software, if some one can help.
How can the AVI file of 13 minutes(video) duration with frame size of 352 x 288(using USB), be of the same size as that with 20 minutes duration and frame size of 720 x 560 ? with the latter being much better.
Hope that helps. Good luck...There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England: Telstra Stadium, Sydney, 22/11/2003.
Carpe diem.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. -
Thanks Daamon, shmizer
You were indeed very helpful and considerate. Such acts motivate beginers like me to continue despite all odds and not to give up.
How can the AVI file of 13 minutes(video) duration with frame size of 352 x 288(using USB), be of the same size as that with 20 minutes duration and frame size of 720 x 560 ? with the latter being much better.
Saurabh -
Hi saurabh_fzr,
Pleasure. If it's any inspiration for you, I didn't even know about this site until the middle of last year...
Stick with it, you'll get there.
Good luck.There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England: Telstra Stadium, Sydney, 22/11/2003.
Carpe diem.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. -
Hi saurabh_fzr,
Pleasure. If it's any inspiration for you, I didn't even know about this site until the middle of last year...
Stick with it, you'll get there.
Good luck.There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England: Telstra Stadium, Sydney, 22/11/2003.
Carpe diem.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room.
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