Newbie Dv-Playback-Capture Problems

[bleachn]

Hi Guys,

I have a number of techie newbie questions. I had more when I first started this but slowly and surely I’ve been able to narrow them down, fix the some of them and realize that I was completely unable to do some of the others. I’m posting in the newbie thread because 1, I’m a newbie, but also because I have a couple of different questions move from Dv to Pc Capturing.

Dv-Cam: Specs JVC GR-D250 http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-GR-D250-Camcorder-Review.htm


Problem 1:
I can transfer Dv in/out back and forth from the PC with no problem. I can also dub video down to my VHS, so no problems there. I am wondering if it is possible to transfer VHS through to the Mini DV tape, and then possibly then onto the PC with this camera. I have a feeling it isn’t possible. I have a scart adapter with Av Out, but on the cam there is no AV in, is there a wire or something that can convert AV signal into Dv In?

Problem 2:
I have a number of other mini Dv tapes that I’ve had around from college that have some short films, snippets, etc. However when I play them back on this camera the footage seems to jerk, and run slowly, with large distortion.

There are photo images available here:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/Distortion1.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/Distortion2.jpg

This happens on 2 of the tapes, which makes me belive that they were recorded at possibly 30fps, and I’m only able to run them on 24fps, so I’m not sure at all. Is there a way to fix this as I would like to bring these tapes onto my PC.

Problem 3:
I think I have a capture card on my computer, that has an S-Video port, and I was wondering if I can use that to capture my VHS footage, or even TV . I can supposedly capture from the TV onto my computer and visa versa, but I've never been able to get it up and running. I don't even know if the correct wires are connected inside the comptuer. What I have learnt is that by using Nvidia I can only run 2 devices off the card at one time. Currently I’m running 2 moniters, so I would have to substitute a moniter for my T.V.

When trying to figure this out I used the TV settings for Nvidia Display, and with the Tv OUT from the S-Video I was defiantly receiving a signal but it was garbled. There were parallel lines running across, but no clear image. So I know it was doing something but how to fix it I’m currently unsure of.

Well the applications that I have with the capture care are WinFast PVP

Computer Specs:
AMD Athelon 2400+
Nvidia GeForce 4 Ti 4200 with AGP8x
WinXP Promise MBUltra 133 (PDC20276) IDE Controller
nVideo WMD A/V Crossbar
nVideo WMD TV/Audio Crossbar
nVideo WMD TVTuner
nVideo WMD Video Capture

Image of the back of the computer: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/Computer.jpg

All the devices say they are working properly but I've never ventured with them. Any techies out there can lend a guy a hand... cheers...

[thecoalman]

I have a feeling it isn’t possible. I have a scart adapter with Av Out, but on the cam there is no AV in, is there a wire or something that can convert AV signal into Dv In?

If the cam has DV-Pass thru you can (look in the manual, the settings for this will be in the menu if available), there's no wire to convert to digital, you wouldn't need the cam if there was . If it has DV pass thru you should just be able to hook the VCR up to the cam and hook the cam up to the computer via firewire. You can record to tape and send it to the computer over firewire simultaneously.


Edit: I just looked at the manual, doesn't look as if it can do DV pass thru.
http://books.jvcservice.com/download/194013545/35514.pdf

Problem 2:
I have a number of other mini Dv tapes that I’ve had around from college that have some short films, snippets, etc. However when I play them back on this camera the footage seems to jerk, and run slowly, with large distortion.

That is similar to what you see when you have dirty heads. Cleaning the cam with a dry cleaning cassette prior to attempting to playback the tapes may help. Different tapes use different chemicals/lubricants, mixing them can cause problems. Use only a single brand of tape for recording in the future, use the cleaning tape sparingly.

If that doesn't work my second suggestion is just a guess........ Could be that it was recorded at slightly different speed than the original cam and /or if it was recorded in LP mode. Try the original cam if you still have it. The reason I say this is because because tapes that were recoded in LP mode can become unplayable becuase the toloerance level for corruption is low. The material is still there, the cam just can't read it.

When trying to figure this out I used the TV settings for Nvidia Display, and with the Tv OUT from the S-Video I was defiantly receiving a signal but it was garbled. There were parallel lines running across, but no clear image. So I know it was doing something but how to fix it I’m currently unsure of.

Is it a VIVO card? Some only have video out. If it is make sure you have set the card up in the the configuration panel, you have to select PAL/NTSC and select your source, either S-Video or Composite. The dongle for my Nvidia has 4 labled plugs. 2 for S-video, one in one out, the same for composite. If you can post a screenshot of what your receiving that may help as well.

[bleachn]

Thanks for the reply... there are just a couple of thigns I want to run by you...


Topic 1:
In the manual it doesn't look like it has passthrough, but on page 35, when dubbing to a VCR it says this:

*If your VCR has a SART connector, use the provided cable adapter (The provided cable adapter accepts only output signals from this camcorder. To use this camcorder as a recorder, use a commercially availiable cable adapter.)

From my understanding this would me to change the scart to accept AV in/out, which I bought an extra one. However I can't seem to playback my image, because I belive the camcorder can only give Av out, but I'm not entirely sure.

Topic 2:
According to the manual the distortion does look like something you recieve from a dirty head, however, I've re-recorded over some of the footage that has the distortion and the new recording playback seems fine. Then when it gets to the older 1st footage the distortion comes back.

When I fast forward the tape as it starts the image seems fine, but then it goes faster and begins to fastforward and then just shuffels through. This is what makes me think that it could be recorded at a different speed. I'm not entirly sure how the tapes were exported, but we shot some of the footage on a PD-170. Definatly shouldn't have been recorded in LP though. Then it should have been exported using AVID, but I'm not a techie on that side. Do DV cams record at different speeds, or when the footage is put onto tape does it change? This is where I'm lost.

Topic 3:
Is the dongle the wire that comes out of the back. I have a blue wire for the s-video that splits into IN/OUT. At the moment I have it plugged into OUT, just trying to get my 'second' moniter output to become the TV. When I know that that's possible then I can work more pluggin the cable into the IN and trying to capture. I'm really unsure where I'm going with this though...

I'll take a couple more pictures of the setup and see if that helps... will get them up in a bit.

Cheers for the reply...

[thecoalman]

*If your VCR has a SART connector, use the provided cable adapter (The provided cable adapter accepts only output signals from this camcorder. To use this camcorder as a recorder, use a commercially availiable cable adapter.)

From what I see in the manual (BTW that link above is for the US version), it doesn't accept input. That last sentence makes it sound like it does. I'd explore it a little more, usually if a cam accepts input from you have to set it up in the menu. Sorry I can't be of any more help there.

Topic 2:
According to the manual the distortion does look like something you recieve from a dirty head, however, I've re-recorded over some of the footage that has the distortion and the new recording playback seems fine. Then when it gets to the older 1st footage the distortion comes back.

This goes back to what I said about different cams, they don't record at different speeds except maybe minutely. If the previously recorded material is outside of the tolerance level then it's going to get corrupted. As I suggested use the original cam if you can or try a different one if you can. For example recordings in LP mode work by slowing the speed at which the tape runs lowering the tolerance level. These tapes can be completely unplayable in another cam and can become unplayable in the original due to mechanics of the cam changing slightly over time.

Topic 3:
Is the dongle the wire that comes out of the back. I have a blue wire for the s-video that splits into IN/OUT. At the moment I have it plugged into OUT, just trying to get my 'second' moniter output to become the TV. When I know that that's possible then I can work more pluggin the cable into the IN and trying to capture. I'm really unsure where I'm going with this though...

I haven't done much with video out from mine, I do know that you have to make sure that it's configured to output PAL or NTSC, whichever is your area.

[bleachn]

Computer Back Explained:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/backexplained.jpg

Wire:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/wire.jpg

Head:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/head.jpg

Side:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/side.jpg

[bleachn]

This is what I see when I try and set up my T.V as my second moniter...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/bleachn/DSC00001.jpg

[thecoalman]

See my post above, that's about as much info as I can offer. I'm sure someone else familair with your card can be of more help. BTW you can post pics here, see the bottom of the posting menu or this thread.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=271697