8mm camcorder capture problems

[mixxerr]

I am trying to capture a 2 hour video file. I am capturing from an 8 mm camcorder. Every program I have used crashes leaving me with an unusable video file. I have used virtualdub-mpeg 2, avi_io, and a few others to capture with. i have even tried different codec. I used 3ivx, divx 5, and xvid. I even tried capturing uncompressed. All programs basically give me the same results.

Here’s an example of an attempt. Last night I started a capture using virtualdub-mpeg2. I used the Huffy codec for video compression and set the audio to radio quality.22.05khz, 8bit mono, 21 kb/sec .then, in capture/stop conditions/capture time exceeds i typed in 7200 seconds. So that it would stop after 2 hours.

I watched it for a bit, then went to bed. I noted there were no dropped frames. Well, there was 1 when I started the capture. This morning, I noticed that virtualdub-mpeg 2 crashed. I opened the file I captured. I used Media Player Classic to open it. Got the following message:

media player classic could not render some of the pins in the graph ,you may not have the needed codec or filters installed on the system.

the following pin(s) failed to find a connectable filter.

d:\movie.avi

Stream 0

Media Type 0:
--------------------------
AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Stream {E436EB83-524F-11CE-9F53-0020AF0BA770}
subtype: MEDIASUBTYPE_Avi {E436EB88-524F-11CE-9F53-0020AF0BA770}
formattype: TIME_FORMAT_NONE {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1
cbFormat: 0


Media Type 1:
--------------------------
AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Stream {E436EB83-524F-11CE-9F53-0020AF0BA770}
subtype: TIME_FORMAT_NONE {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
formattype: TIME_FORMAT_NONE {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1
cbFormat: 0


The file is 25.2 gigs.

I then tried to open it with virtualdub The avi import filter started running.
"reconstructing missing index block (aggressive mode)"

Then I got the following message:
avi:index not found or damaged -- reconstructing via file scan.
I clicked ok
I could play the video in vdub-mpeg2.however,its only about 34 minutes long.

I then saved it. The save file is 8.98 gigs.

A few months back, I captured a 1 hour video from the same camcorder .No problems at all.


Can somebody tell me what I am doing wrong or how to fix the problem???

[maretedkatie]

You have classic conflicts with hardware and poorly written software codes and routines. virtualdub is likely getting confused in its use of windows resources when the file gets large. Two things to try - move to windows XP Home or Pro or 2000 Pro, leave AT LEAST 2X more empty space than you will use in the capture when capture, uninstall other related video software that may be on your machine, then reinstall them. Don;t install cheap ones if you can avoid it. If this does not correct it, it is your management files in windows. You may have had 3rd party software that did something to windows. Windows does not have bugs, but there is a lot of crappy software written for windows with uninstall routines insome cases that will delete shared files. If it still does not work, try 1st better video software, then if not, re-format hard drive with zeros and re-instal a clean install of windows. Do all updates, then install hard ware drivers. Then install just the video software. If it still does not work it is 100% your software. Get better video software.

[reboot]

I hope that's an april fools joke...sure, do a low level format, then reinstall everything....sheesh, talk about overkill.
I have no idea why he suggests you "move to windows XP home or Pro", you're already using that.
Although I can't offer much advice about your problem, I would attempt a DV-AVI capture in windows Movie Maker. This could help narrow down the possiblity of it being your capture software, vs a codec, vs a windows problem.

[mixxerr]

Thanx Reboot for replying to my problem.I have decided to buy a dvd recorder instead of trying to capture from the camcorder to the computer.At this point,it seems the easiest way to do it.

After doing research,I think I might buy the Ilo dvdr04 recorder.It seems there were problems with some,but,I think they got the problems sorted out.

[ranrobertcanada]

I had few 8mm tapes which I converterd to DVD. I borrow sony Digitial 8 camcoder (with 8mm/Hi8 playback compatibiltiy) DCRTRV460. I used a cheap capture card in my celeron 1Ghz with 256 ram machine and the picture quality turn out to be amazing. I think if u can rent or borrow a Digital 8 comcoder from someone, U won't be dissapointed. My old 8mm camcoder didn't even play the quality of the video as the sonyDCRTRV460. I am very pleased with this and I think you should try instead of buying DVD recoder