Dropped frames ADVC 100

[bode]

I haven't done any transfers using the ADVC 100 for at least 8 months or so and I've never had any problems.

Since then, I've added a few programs to the computer for internet use and updated XP.

I am having severe problems with dropped frames. During the capture with WinDV, The picture can go static, then speeds up to "catch itself up" and returns to normal speed.

I did a defrag, there is plenty of space on the hardrive, plenty of RAM and the processor is fast enough.

Anyone have any suggestions? I have an urgent job..it's always the case!

Win XP SP1 with updates NO SP2 installed.
WinDV for link
Canopus ADVC 100

[jimmalenko]

maybe try DVIO, or the trial version of scenalyzerlive ?

It may well be a problem with your firewire card / drivers.

What source are you feeding into the ADVC-100 ?

[bode]

It doesn't use any drivers. The AVI file is coming from a SKY+ box. (Satellite TV recorder)

Plugged in with a DV cable.

I don't think DVIO will warn me of any dropped frames so I' was a bit reluctant to use it. Will try it once I have some more options, It's a big job moving the computer!

[jimmalenko]

The port that the DV cable plugs into on your PC is your firewire port, which may or may not be on your motherboard, or a seperate card. Let me assure you it does have drivers. XP has probably taken care of them for you though - unless you truly are running a commodore 64 still .....

[Robert Simandl]

My WinDV does the same thing occasionally, picture freezes then catches up. Hoewever, the dropped frame count at the bottom of the program still says zero and the recorded avi file is flawless upon playback.

Does WinDV actually show frames dropping in that little counter at the bottom?

[nelson133]

The only time I have gotten dropped frames with my canopus box is when I was trying to do too much in the way of multitasking. Check to see what else you have running. You may be running too many programs on startup or you may have software that doesn't let go of system resources when you exit from it. Nyah Levi

[FulciLives]

Over the years I have read countless posts from those who have had drop frame and/or A/V sync issues when using anything other than ScenalyzerLive as a capture application.

You might want to give it a try ... after the trail period you do have to buy it but I seem to recall it is fairly reasonable. Something like $35 or $40 USD as I recall.

I know it sounds silly ... one doesn't expect to have such issues with FIREWIRE but it can and does happen.

As I recall ScenalyzerLive is just about the only DV capture/transfer application that does everything itself whereas other DV capture/transfer applications use something within the Windows OS to get the job done. This is explained as the reason why ScenalyzerLive will work when other applications fail. Is that really the reason? Who knows I just know it works for those that have problems with other applications

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[vhelp]

I have worked with DV for many years now, since 2001/2002 I think.
And, I can say, I have never experienced dropped frames in my DV
captures. The only time when you do, is when you think you can
do more than you think you can get away with, just because you
sys is beafy or super-dupper-fast. That does not mean anything
if you mix things up during capturing.. weather its Analog Capturing
or DV Transfering, you *may* drop frames if you start activating
other applications or mouse clicking certain windows, etc. etc.
depending on your given driver setup and how well you feel that
your system is finely-tuned. It will still happen, IF.

In my given setup, (now back to my old K7S5A motherboard again)
and WIN98x, in addition to being able to capture w/ WDM (dv specific)
applications, I can also capture w/ avi_io and virtualDUB, from my
DV firewire.. it transfer (not captures) but you know what I mean
And, even under this odd setup (which no one else seems to be able
to do to date) I still do not drop frames in my captures (or transfers)
of DV video from any device, be it from my TRV22 cam, or ADVC-100
dv device.

Its all a matter of how far you push things. The problem here, is
that people seem to believe that just because it is now *DV* it should
*NOT* drop frames. The short answer, IT DOES. But only if one pushes,
as I indicated above

-vhelp 3573

[bode]

@Robert Simandl
Does WinDV actually show frames dropping in that little counter at the bottom?

A. Yes 1000's of reported dropped frames.

To answer the other points, all programs are shut down in the system tray, although I could do a closer check on this to see if anything is still running.

I used Scenalyser before, nice program, shame about the cost so I don't think I can download another trial on this computer.

Does anyone know where to find DVCapture by Canopus? I'm led to believe this is free "transfer" program.

[wwaag]

bode

What do you expect from a Commodore 64 anyway????? Not a bad machine 20+ years ago--probably many forum users have no idea what a C64 is.

I use an ADVC-100 with ScenzlyzerLive (which IMHO is a great app with uses well beyond capturing) as the capture software. For the most part, it has worked flawlessly (i.e. no dropped frames). On occasion, however, it has dropped a few--I suspect, for the some of the reasons mentioned by Vhelp. I recall on one specific occasion that a few dropped frames occurred at the start of an incoming fax message.

Since video work is so demanding of your system resources, I have resorted to a "dual-boot" system in which a "clone" operating system is dedicated strictly to video work--nothing else. It takes a bit of time to set up, but IMHO it's been well worth the effort--no dropped frames during DV captures and quicker encoding. An added advantage of ScenalyzerLive is that you have an option to "stop" capture if you drop a frame.

wwaag

[Dr_Layne]

A few things:

1) You may be losing the sync signal in the video stream. I'd use a Time Base Corrector to keep the singal consistant.

2) Hard Drive may not be in DMA mode. XP will revert to PIO mode if it detects read errors. Deleting the IDE controller from the Device Manager and letting windows reinstall the drivers will fix this if all is well.

3) Antivirus software running in the background

4) Failing ADVC100

Steve Bennett

[bode]

I'll probably play around with a few more capture programs to see if that fixes anything.

Hard Drive reports DMA Mode
Antivirus is shut down.
Failing ADVC? I don't want to go there!

Also I noticed that the capture would fail in the same place each time. The footage is from a recordable TV Satellite set top box.

Maybe the hard drive is damaged on the set top box or else the fast moving footage is too much for the computer's buffer?

This is as frustrating as trying to load a game on the Commodore 64!

[Dr_Layne]

Does the footage play fine on a TV set at that point? It could very well be the set top box captured the show with a flaw. If that's the case, using a TBC will allow you to capture the stream but it cannot reconstuct missing data.

Steve

[bode]

No playback via the TV is perfect.

[FulciLives]

This is as frustrating as trying to load a game on the Commodore 64!

The bitch of that thing was opening up the huge floppy drive and adjusting it since the heads ALWAYS wanted to BANG against ... god knows what ... constantly throwing it out of alignment.

But oh what a fun machine. My favorite memory is playing and actually finishing ULTIMA 4 - QUEST OF THE AVATAR.

Course this doesn't help with your DV issue at hand but it makes me feel all warm and cozy inside.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[bode]

Ok, here's another warm and cosy feeling...

http://www.gamebase64.com/game.php?id=6186&d=18&h=0

[nelson133]

The canopus box already locks audio/video sync automatically, you don't need a tbc for this. Nyah Levi

[FulciLives]

The canopus box already locks audio/video sync automatically, you don't need a tbc for this. Nyah Levi

If the source is bad enough then yes even the Canopus ADVC-100 will need a TBC so as not to drop frames or lose sync.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[bode]

I downloaded Scenalyzer which sure enough resolves the dropped frame problem.

However, since the installation of Scenalyzer, DVIO no longer works!

I can't undestand why WinDV is no longer working smoothly??

[holdar]

@bode
Use Scenalyzer: File > Hardisk Write-Speed Test.

It should report 80-190 frames per second. (WinXP, 7200 rpm 80GB Maxtor, 1.8Ghz AMD, 512MB ram). On my Intel system (same specs) I had to download and install the “Intel Application Accelerator”. Of course DMA, etc. If you are not getting a speed test of 80 frames or more something is really wrong. Go back and check everything: BIOS, reinstall drivers, 80 pin cables, you know the drill. Good Luck.

WinDV and DVIO work fine with Scenalyzer on my systems. (Sony DV codec)

[nelson133]

FuciLives, have you ever seen this personally? i understood from earlier posts that you don't use the advc100. I've done hundreds of conversions using it and have never seen a source bad enough to cause dropped frames.
Nyah Levi

[bode]

nelson133 this link has an argument regarding the advc-100 and old tapes.
http://forum.canopus.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=202746&page=9&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

you need to register on the canopus forums to view.

@holdar
The hard drive passed the speed test, so it's fine. 131.5 fps

I get the feeling the problem may be related to updates of XP. I've been away from the forums for quite a few months, so have I missed any topics regarding conflicts?

I have XP SP1 installed and all the related hotfixes. Upgraded to SP2 but removed it after conflicts with my Epson printer.

[holdar]

@nelson133
I have to stick up for Fulcilives, not that he needs it. I have been using the ADVC-100 for four years, under certain conditions it will drop frames. Some capture apps will tell you others will not. You will get duplicate frames, and a very rare scrambled frame. The most common symptom I have found is the loss of A/V synch. Because of the synch problems (with the locked audio DIP set) I set max capture at 4GB/15min. The last synch problem I had I corrected with Avisynth: DelayAudio(-0.25). So far this has only happened to me with old tapes (Lili, Leslie Caron) I do not have problems with tapes less than ten years old or off air captures.

Off topic
Audio synch problems are really annoying. For a long time I couldn’t tell if the audio was a little slow or a little fast. Once I finally got it fixed now every time I look at a commercial the audio seems out of synch.

[SatStorm]

Occassionally, there are drop frames. Rare but it happens. A full frame TBC help on those cases

[cactusjack310]

I once had the same problem. My ADVC-100 worked flawlessly and I never had any problems for over two years. I never defragmented my hard drives and I never dropped a single frame with my ADVC-100, until one day when I reformatted and reinstalled everything on my computer. I noticed I kept getting thousands of dropped frames every twenty minutes or so. It turns my hard drives were set to shut down every twenty to save power! So now everytime I capture any video I turn everything so it never shuts down. Just right click on the desktop and select properties, choose the screen saver tab and click on the "Power..." button at the bottom. Make sure you change the monitor, hard disks, and system standby all to "never." I haven't had any problems since ...

(You can also get there by going to the control panel, click on performance and maintenance, and then power options)

Hope that helps!