Firewire Capture, Codec Problems ??

[pmcollins]

Hi,

Im new to the site and have been trying to find an answer in the forums to my problem but cant seem to find anything so thought I would post to see if anyone has any ideas.

I am running Windows XP SP2 on a Celeron 1.7ghz machine with 768MB RAM. I connect my DV camcorder via a Firewire connection.

I am having the following problems in XP:

- heaps of dropped frames.
- pixels seem to appear randomly in the transferred file.
- audio out of synch.
- wavy lines appear randomly.
- general picture quality is poor.

I use ULEAD Videostudio for my video editing and have been using this for my capturing as well and have never had any problems like this until recently. I have transferred and edited lots of home movies successfully in the past on this machine.
Is this anything to do with upgrading to XP SP2 ?

I have been speaking to a friend of mine who is also a member of this site and have therefore tried the following:

- downloaded and installed the Panasonic DV CODEC.
- checked for upgrades to DirectX (already installed).
- tried to capture with WinDV (still same problems as above).
- tried to capture through Nero software that came with my DVD burner (again, still the same issues as above).
- downloaded and ran Codec Sniper (cam back with 4 files as broken, ir50_32.dll, iac25_32.ax, mpeg2data.ax & ivfsrc.ax).

This is definately not a hardware problem as I have managed to capture through Windows Movie Maker 2 to .wmv file with no problems. However, I understand that .wmv is not a great file type for editing so want to be able to capture to .avi. I changed the settings in Movie Maker to capture to .avi and got the same problems as reported above.

It just seems strange to me that I am only having problems when trying to capture to AVI.

My friend has suggested that it sounds like maybe the MS-DV Codec has been corrupted.

Does anyone have any ideas on this ??
OR does anyone know where to get the MS-DV Codec to try and fix this problem ??

Should also add that my video is playing on my PC through any of these tools with no problems, but as soon as I try to capture is when the problems appear.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this has been driving me crazy for weeks and would like to get it sorted before it turns me grey or bald !!!!

Cheers,
Paul Collins.

[edDV]

see the sticky files under the capture forum first, also this similar thread
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=252845&highlight=


Windows Movie Maker 2 serves as an excellent test to separate XP issues from application-codec issues.

Did you try capturing to DV-AVI in Windoes Movie Maker 2? That will test that XP is working properly. If you can't get that to work, your problems are in XP's management of IEEE-1394 or a camcorder, hardware or driver problem.

[pmcollins]

Thanks for that.

Will check this when I get home tonight:

"I doubt a different app is going to help you if your dropping that many frames, if it doesn't. Go to start>control panel>system>hardware> device manager>... Find the device labled IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller, clicl the plus sign and right click on primary IDE and select prpoerties then slect the advaced tab from the top. Next current mode it should list it as DMA mode (or some DMA mode). Do the same for the secondary IDE Channel."

Just wasnt sure that any of this was related as I have been capturing until recently with no problems.

[BJ_M]

since all you are doing is TRANSFERING files- nOT capturing , when you use DV .. are you sure the files are the problem or is it the camera or is it after some proccess ..

the codec is in the camera - not on your machine for the compression .. the dv codec on your machine is only used for re-compression of what ever you changed ..

post a 1 or 2 sec clip of the bad files so we can check it out ..

[BJ_M]

the dropping frames thing sounds as if what you suggested is the problem

[pmcollins]

Maybe im getting confused !

I did use Windows Movie Maker 2 to capture to DV-AVI and got all of the problems reported in my previous post.

Thats why I cant understand that capturing to WMV is fine but capturing to DV-AVI within the same program is not.
I thought that maybe it would use a different codec or something ?

I have to apologise but im nowhere near an expert on this and am just going on what I have been told by other people.

[daamon]

Hi all,

I should reveal that I'm the friend referred to above. Here's a summary of all the things we've gone through...

1. All fine before SP2 - "Capture" to DV AVI and playback of file OK.
2. Install SP2...
3. Viewing footage on tape with WinDV or Ulead is OK. As soon as "capture" is attempted, described problems occur.
4. Play back "captured" DV AVI - described problems occur.
5. Uninstall / re-install firewire card - No difference.
6. "Capture" using WMM to WMV - "capture" and play back of WMV file OK. Both before and after uninstall / re-install firewire card.
7. "Capture" using WMM to DV AVI - described problems occur.
8. "Capture" using Ulead to DV AVI - described problems occur.

It is the above that suggests that the firewire card and cable are OK - because capturing to WMV is OK, and playing tape through WinDV oand Ulead is OK. It would appear that SP2 is OK with the cam too.

As soon as anything to do with DV AVI is involved - capture or playback - the problems manifest. Now, I can't explain why there's display problems during "capture", but I suspected corrupted DV codec due to file playback issues...

Hope this sheds some light on it...

[BJ_M]

ah ok -- now that info helps and i saw the exact same problem after a sp2 intall -- in fact its mentioend on ms web site and been reported by many ..

i will find you the ms patch ... and link ..

[BJ_M]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5c076e4c-aec8-434d-9849-e668a...en&Hash=XKC4S9

[BJ_M]

note - MUST have valid XP copy , it will check

[pmcollins]

Thanks BJ_M !!

Will download this and give it a try when I get home !

[pmcollins]

OK.

Just got home and downloaded the MS patch and installed it.

Still have exactly the same problems. I transferred a 5 second video clip with Win DV and it stated over 250 dropped frames !!

I have a copy of the video but cant attach it as it os over 18MB.

Any other ideas anyone ??

[BJ_M]

you can chop a piece off -- dont need the whole 18meg , just a couple 100 frames

[daamon]

Gutted!!!

Use VirtualDub (freeware) to do the chopping:

1. Load AVI File.
2. Set slider at start of dodgy looking frames.
3. Click on a button with a left pointing black arrow - at bottom of window. This sets the "in point".
4. User right cursor arrow button (on keyboard) to move along a frame at a time to end point. Frame numbers are shown at bottom.
5. Click other arrow button (pointing right) to set "out point". Selection turns blue.
6. Click "Video" -> "Direct Stream Copy"
7. File -> Save As AVI... - give new filename.
8. Post file as per instructions below text box when posting in this thread...

Good luck mate...

[pmcollins]

Got it down to 2 seconds of video but is still showing as over 7MB.
I cant post anything over 2MB can I ??

[BJ_M]

compress it with rar or even winzip -- with winrar at best compression , it will bring it down to under a meg or so

[pmcollins]

Have tried both Winrar and Winzip, both only compress to 6.5MB file

[daamon]

@ BJ_M - Would appropriate screen prints suffice? Or does the motion need to be there?

[thecoalman]

Hi all,

I should reveal that I'm the friend referred to above. Here's a summary of all the things we've gone through...

1. All fine before SP2 - "Capture" to DV AVI and playback of file OK.
2. Install SP2...
3. Viewing footage on tape with WinDV or Ulead is OK. As soon as "capture" is attempted, described problems occur.
4. Play back "captured" DV AVI - described problems occur.
5. Uninstall / re-install firewire card - No difference.
6. "Capture" using WMM to WMV - "capture" and play back of WMV file OK. Both before and after uninstall / re-install firewire card.
7. "Capture" using WMM to DV AVI - described problems occur.
8. "Capture" using Ulead to DV AVI - described problems occur.

It is the above that suggests that the firewire card and cable are OK - because capturing to WMV is OK, and playing tape through WinDV oand Ulead is OK. It would appear that SP2 is OK with the cam too.

As soon as anything to do with DV AVI is involved - capture or playback - the problems manifest. Now, I can't explain why there's display problems during "capture", but I suspected corrupted DV codec due to file playback issues...

Hope this sheds some light on it...

Daamon,

This doesn't pertain directly to this problem but perhaps it won't hurt it is a 1394 connectivity issue, just back up the original files so you can copy them back if it doesn't...

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=252426

[daamon]

Hi thecoalman,

A useful thread, and it has promise - I'm sure Mr pmcollins will appreciate it... Won't you Paul?

[pmcollins]

OF course, im very grateful for any help with this !!

Unfortunately, I have tried this and it is still have no effect......

Anyone else have any ideas ??

[thecoalman]

Perhaps you computer has finally hit it's limit after the SP2 install www.blackviper.com That's a bitch of problem, you could always reinstall XP but that's a pain in the ass.

Simple question but have you defragged latley? Have you tried smashing it with an axe?

< pulls out gif animator> Good Luck!

[pmcollins]

hehehehehe
Just performed a defrag last weekend so no probs there !
The axe is the next thing on the list.........

I suppose that, seeming as I have upgraded to SP2, running the SP1 disc through to perform any fixes will be no good ?

[thecoalman]

Never know but that won't replace any newer files that you updated since you have installed.

[daamon]

All - How's this for a plan...

1. Roll back (i.e. uninstall) SP2.
2. Hopefully problems go away. There's a chance they won't I suppose...
3. Uninstall firewire card.
4. Re-install SP2.
4a. Maybe install the update that BJ_M linked to on MS site.
5. Then re-install firewire card.

Or, if that's not a good idea, is there any way of re-installing firewire drivers - could that be the problem?

[pmcollins]

OK, have been playing around again this morning !

I have managed to use the Nerovision Express software that came with my DVD burner to capture the video.
Still have the same problems when trying to capture to AVI, but have managed to capture with heaps better quality to MPEG-2 (using the DVD capture setting within Nerovision).

So definately only a problem capturing to AVI.

I guess that MPEG-2 is not the best to use for video editing ?? ie, DV-AVI is the best ??

[Skith]

Here are a few thoughts:

Since you have tried capturing with different programs, have you tried playback with different programs?


In addition, Codecs are not only used to encode, but also to play back files, right? If the windows codec files for playing back DV AVI are corrupted, you could try the following:

1) Log onto windows as/with administrator rights. Locate the files (probably c:\windows\system32\ or a subfolder). Copy the location and file names down.

2) Kill windows explorer in taskmanager (Ctrl-alt-del -> Task Manager -> Process tab -> click explorer.exe -> end task). This will cause the task bar to disapear, don't worry, you can get it back later.

3) Click the "Applications" tab -> New Task button -> type in "cmd" (without quotes) and press [enter]. This will open a command prompt window.

The window should say something like:
C:\documents and settings\user name>

Type "cd \windows\system32" (without quotes) and press [enter]. C:\windows\system32> should now be displayed.

4) Use the rename command to rename the possibly corrupted files. The command uses the following syntax:

REN old_file_name new_file_name

example: REN QuickTime.ax QuickTime.old

Once you have renamed the questioned files, do Ctrl-Alt-Del -> task manager -> new task -> type "explorer" (without quotes) and press [enter]. This brings back the task bar. Then shutdown and reboot your computer. When the computer reboots, it should replace the now "missing" files. You might need your XP CD. This is one way of "forcing" windows to replace files.

The reason we renamed the old files in stead of deleting them, is so they can easily be restored, if needed.


As for what files to rename, mabey the others here can help you. Keep in mind this is only a suggestion, and I would not attempt it unless others here think it may help. Creating a restore point before hand would also be a good idea.

If windows does not "automatically" restore the files, you may have to copy them off of your windows CD manually. This is a bit more work, as the files have to be "extracted" first.

[daamon]

I guess that MPEG-2 is not the best to use for video editing ?? ie, DV-AVI is the best ??

For what you want to do - Yes.

[pmcollins]

Ok, uninstalled SP2 and then uninstalled and reinstalled the firewire card.
Still no luck !!

I guess I can see a clean install on XP coming on........

[MOVIEGEEK]

Read this thread:
www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=252426&highlight=