Need Help On Why Degraded Video Capture

[MickB]

I have used a number of programs including Studio 8 with the same poor capture results. I don’t believe it’s a software problem. No matter what program I use, changing settings, etc., my captured ATI file is degraded considerably. I have also tried different codec’s to no avail. I’m now thinking hardware but not really sure how to check.

I took a screen capture of a paused video image. The video is a little better than this when in motion.

Background: I have a P4 2.8 ghz, 1 gig memory and capturing with a ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 card. I have had some problems when running a data bit test on the drives but after defragging the other day, the rate is okay now but same problem exists. A friend captured the same video from my 8mm tape and it came out great. He suggested a possible data rate problem and suggested I hook up my new hard drives to a Promise AT 133 card or to the Raid controller. Or.. possibly switch out the capture cables. I did not do either of these yet.

Any suggestions? I’m about to give up. Thank you.

Mick

[FulciLives]

No picture is visible.

[Thorn]

I have also tried different codec’s to no avail.

Capturing raw (no compression) or using Huffyuv (lossless compression) gives you the best chance of not loosing any video quality on the way in. Capture at a high enough resolution (like 740x480) to get enough crispness.

People will argue to the ends of the Earth about what the best way to do this is, but just try using VirtualDub with the Huffyuv codec at 720x480. I captured with that on a regular ATA100 IDE hard drive, and didn't have any problems. If virtualdub tells you about dropped frames, your HD might be a bottleneck. Your CPU shouldn't be. If you can capture this with no dropped frames, this should help show the max quality you can get.

Of course, huffyuv playback is sometimes choppy (unless 2.8GHz is enough for it, I don't know) so I convert it so something else for viewing. Lots of information to the left about capturing and converting. I'm just suggesting this test so you can track down the problem. It could also be a crappy cable or encoder chip.

[spectroelectro]

I beg to differ. The picture is quite visible.
Looks like an interlacing problem to me. Field order?
Capping with PC video cards never gives very impressive results, unless you use very high-end (Pinaccle DV500, etc.) cards. If you're looking for higher quality you might want to try a Canopus ADVC-100 or a Datavideo DAC-100.

[Tommyknocker]

Here is the image, and it looks like interlacing to me as well:

[MickB]

I have tried Virtual Dub and installed the Huffy2v codec but it will not show up in Studio 8 or Virtual Dub.