capturing analog video

[writa]

I bought a capture card with my computer so I could transfer old video. When I play the video on the computer screen, it comes out perfect. But when I try to capture it, there's no audio. The software manufacturer refers me to the hardware manufacturer and vice versa. Can anyone help me?

[Bronx]

I don't know much about caputure cards, but you should give more information about the card.

[steveryan]

This website is full of experts but they can't read minds , which capture card is it?

[writa]

The capture card was supplied by Dell. Does that help at all? The software is Roxio.

[FulciLives]

How do you have it hooked up?

Most capture cards have audio inputs but also an audio output that has to go to the "in" on the soundcard.

In most cases you are better off going straight from the playback device to the soundcard and skip the intermediate step of passing he audio through the captre cad.

So Number 1 ... make sure everything is hooked up properly.

Number 2 ... make sure you have the audio selected and that it is not muted. Look in the volume mixer and in the capture software.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[jman98]

I will try to help, but I would like you to consider something. Would you take a car to a mechanic and say "I have a problem I need you to fix, but I'm not going to tell you what the problem is"? It would have helped to have know what card you had.

Years ago, I bought an ATI All-in-Wonder card and I had the same problem. My problem was that I had to go into my Creative Soundblaster settings and turn up the volume on some secondary input that I thought wasn't even in use. If you are using an ATI card, it has to be connected to your soundcard and there could be a setting on the soundcard that is hosing you up.

[redwudz]

Have you dropped the captured video into Gspot or AVIcodec? The sound may be there, but you may not have a codec to hear it. Those programs will also tell you more about the format of the captured video.

[writa]

Thank you for your assistance, but I don't believe that is the problem. The volume works perfectly when I upload digital media from my camcorder. But then I use wires that came with the computer--one that goes into the camcorder and three --white, orange and yellow--the devicethat connects to the card.

The wiring that came with my old analog camcorder has only two prongs, a yellow and a white at either end.

Again, when I play the analog tapes my computer there is audio. It's only when I try to upload that my audio disappears. Does that help--or am I helpless?

[TheFamilyMan]

Let's see if I'm getting your message straight:

When you plug your camcorder into your capture card, you can display video and hear the audio on the computer while running the camcorder in playback mode. This implies that you are using some sort of video display program that can see your capture card's video and audio. I assume then that you also use this program to capture the video/audio to a file. And when you play back a captured video file, there is no audio. Here is a list of things to check:

1. Is your computer's audio recording source set to the device to which your camcorder's audio output (white connector) is connected?

2. If the above is set appropriately, it the recording volume loud enough?

3. If the recording volume seems loud enough, is there some audio settings in your capture program that is set incorrectly?

4. If all of the above fails, check your audio codecs or spend some quality time reading the "HOW TO" guides listed on the left.

Good Luck!

[writa]

In answer to one and two: yes. That was the first thing I checked. And the factthat the audio comes through on th ecomputer when it isn't capturing would indicate that everything is connected correctly and that the (question three) recording is loud enough/

Re: # 4 What How-to Guides listed on the left?

I should point out that the hardware and software came without a manual.

Finally, does anyone know what RFU DC is?

[redwudz]

RFU=Radio Frequency Unit, I belive. It's probably for a RF modulator to connect with your antenna input on a TV. Probably a separate unit you would have to purchase.

[writa]

So that has no impact on my (in)ability to upload. It appears I'm going to bring back th egood old days of silent film.

[SLK001]

I bought a capture card with my computer so I could transfer old video. When I play the video on the computer screen, it comes out perfect. But when I try to capture it, there's no audio. The software manufacturer refers me to the hardware manufacturer and vice versa. Can anyone help me?

When you say that is comes out perfect on the computer screen when you are monitoring the video, does this mean that sound comes thru okay? If so, then you need to set up your audio SOURCE INPUT correctly for recording. If not, then there may be a short cable for audio pass-thru that needs to be connected to your soundcard inputs.

[TheFamilyMan]

And the fact that the audio comes through on th ecomputer when it isn't capturing would indicate that everything is connected correctly and that the (question three) recording is loud enough

You seem to be missing something that may be subtle here. The playback volume that you hear has nothing to do with the recording volume; on the other hand you definate know that your computer is getting the audio. There are two separate audio volume control panels in XP, one for volume (also known as playback) and one for recording. You toggle between the panels by selecting options->properties on the panel and then select either the playback or recording volume adjustment panel. If you've already know/done this, then please excuse me...

[writa]

Family man: I will try this. Let us pray. And thanks a lot.