Another dropped frames topic

[Twistid]

Hi...I have been capturing video for a while now, added all up around 2 years. I know this is a constant topic in these forums so I apologize aforehand. I have been having problems with dropped frames on my new computer with an ATI AIW 9600 Pro in it, 2 Intel Pentium 4 processors in it running Windows XP Pro, a Soundblaster Audigy 2 soundcard, a hard drive in NTFS format with 194 gigs of disk space free which is also an ATA, and 1.024 gigs of memory. When i try to capture I do all the capture norms: defrag beforehand, disconnect from internet, restart, stop all processes, put monitor resolution on 800x600. I also followed Lordsmurf's guide on his site (I also am capturing in the format .avi), except I like YVU9 better than Huffyuv so I use that. When it drops frames it sometimes simply drops maybe 1, but most of the time it drops 2-10 frames all at one time. When I capture I use the default ATI software. About a year ago I had plugged in the purple cord to the back of the card while the television was on which caused the computer to go in safe mode and said that there was a system error but had fixed itself, maybe this could be the problem? Also, when I have to add silence to the beginning of the audio for the video I usually have to add .530 ms to it. Is this a lot to have to add to get the audio in sync? I also have the latest drivers for the ATI card and have done the macrovision hack to take off the macrovision protection. I am confused as to what the issue could be...please help.

[dbsnwo]

I also shut down for about an hour to cool my P.C. down so its not running too hot.

[Twistid]

Thanks for the help...ill be sure and try that next time I capture. I do probably still need more suggestions or help. I also wanted to know, I plan on getting a JVC SVHS VCR with TBC (Time Base Correction) in it. What I wanted to know is, does the Time Base Correction still apply when your simply running the cable television through the vcr to your computer?

[Soopafresh]

Just the usual checks -

1) DMA set on the drives ?

2) Have you set the capture to run at High Priority ?

3) Check out this util. Might help in your case. Lower the priority of your video card and higher the priority of the capture card.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=951

[gilberto]

If you're willing to spend a little more money, getting an analog->DV converter is the best way to capture. I use it and can capture while downloading, browsing, and checking my email--all at the same time--without dropped frames.

[Twistid]

I have tried all that was suggested and none seemed to help. Still a ridiculous amount of dropped frames at once. I run the test in the ATI configuration utility and it says for "failed" that it is "Not ATI Radeon or more recent". AFter that it says Primary: ATI ATI RADEON 9600 Series, Primary: Graphics board memory is 128 MBytes, Primary: 8.09-041221m-020455C-ATI, Secondary: ATI ATI RADEON 9600 Series Secondary, Secondary: Graphics board memory is 0 MBytes, and Secondary: 8.09-041221m-020455C-ATI. I also followed an in-depth guide which, almost as good as formatting a hard drive (deleting everything), takes away all previous ATI objects left so I could all the way uninstall and then reinstall which is what I did, I have not tried to capture again after the install. But, I doubt that it will help any. So, it does seem I need more help.

[lordsmurf]

If you're willing to spend a little more money, getting an analog->DV converter is the best way to capture. I use it and can capture while downloading, browsing, and checking my email--all at the same time--without dropped frames.

No it's not. It's only DV. DV ONLY.
No options, and you suffer the limitations of the DV format.

++++++++++++++++++


For the ATI question...

What is the CPU spiking to ? 100% all the way?

What MMC version ?

The AUDIGY card is known to cause drops.

It may simply be touchy source.

It could be overheating of the system
When was the last time you opened it and used canned air to blow out dust?

[Twistid]

For the ATI question...

What is the CPU spiking to ? 100% all the way?

What MMC version ?

The AUDIGY card is known to cause drops.

It may simply be touchy source.

It could be overheating of the system
When was the last time you opened it and used canned air to blow out dust?

I have not ever checked the performance of the computer while it was capturing, but when i test it today i will see. As for the MMC version I have the latest, 9.03.0.0. I doubt that it is a "touchy source" because on the last computer I had I captured off of MTV2 with no dropped frames at all usually and i always used S-Video. I also doubt that it would be a "touchy source" multiple times, I am still using S-Video through my cable box. I have never used canned air to get out the dust and never knew you were supposed to. I will do that ASAP. My dad seems to think that a faster system would be able to detect frame loss better than a slower one. I very much doubt this is true but thought I should at least be sure. Your help here is greatly appreciated Lordsmurf, I was hoping you would come into the topic cause I know you are very experienced .

[lordsmurf]

Try ATI MMC 8.7 or ATI MMC 9.02.
Odd bugs reported in 9.03.

[Twistid]

Ok well I have tried some things again and of course there are still the same problems. When I looked at the cpu usage in task manager it never went past the teens while capturing and the highest i saw it ever go was 15%. I also was using 9.02 MMC at that time. I tried capturing without the sound card in the pci slot and it still dropped frames. So, from what I can tell my guess now is either it is the video card due to being messed up earlier or it is the version of MMC, I will try using 8.7 tomorrow. If you have anymore ideas please post.

[Twistid]

Ok well I am unable to get online right now due to my wireless messing up on me, so I cant get the MMC at the moment. The main reason I'm posting a reply is I'm wondering if the JVC HR-S9911U vcr uses the TBC filter in it when you are simply capturing the cable video through the vcr instead of taping it then capturing. Also, if you do have to tape it first, is the quality of the video still as good if it were being captured live? I am mostly asking Lordsmurf about this since it was suggested on his site. But, if you have any response please say it.

[Twistid]

Well...of course the new ATI card isnt fixing a thing which is VERY frustrating. Maybe when I put an electrical surge through the old one it messed everything else up. If anyone has any help please post.

[reboot]

Grab another cheap hard drive. Use it exclusively for capture. That way, if Windows decides to do it's internal messing about, it's not affecting the capture drive.
I know it makes a huge difference on my system, and it's nowhere near as good as yours.

[vhelp]

I don't know your whole 2 year capture story (dropped frame or not)
but I do know this much. You need a new setup. For whatever the
reason, your setup is not 'sweet' to each other.
.
I've ben down this round so many times, until I did my self the
one thing that ended the madness once and for all. ADVC-100 device.

I know. Its a DV format and all that nonsense. But, don't let that
fool ya. I'm sure you've trolled the 'capture cards' area and found
countless testimonials regarding this device. But, I tell this
much (cause i've ben there) once you go ADVC-100 you'll never go
back (unless unusual cercumstances) true words - at least for me.
Yes, I do tend to try other Analog capture cards, but that's my
hobby. But my main rig is the ADVC.

My suggestion is to go for broke, (unless you alread are)
and give the advc-100 a serious consideration.

My other suggestion ...

Look into the DVD Recorders. I took the plunge and got the iLO
and so far, I have no complaints yet. And, if you want to re-encode
(for IVTC purposes) you'll get great (best) results w/ the 1hr setting,
and just split your capture for two hour projects, into two captures.
.
Another great feature with the iLO (as others) is that you can pause
the capture during the commercials, and resume.

If you don't want to spend much time tweaking your capture projects,
leave the commercials in, and just enjoy the programes that your dvd
recorder create for you. I have. For what it does, its not really
worth the effort, unless it's something of interest to me to 'archive'.
.
Once I get a little better at my DVD recorder process, I'll probably
just go with the +R format (vs. the +RW) and rebuild my library, but
based on this new technology. It's a new ERA for me now
So, I'm baby-steppin this one.

Sorry for the OT here, but I just felt that a towel need to be thrown
in there somewheres. (you'll see)

-->

If you can't sort out your ATI card issues, at least consider the above.

Good luck anyways,
-vhelp 3170