Audio static-like pop when capturing (frequent)

[sctig]

I'm trying to capture video using VCR connected to composite inputs (video and analog) on capture card on HP Media Center PC. Video is fine, but audio pops/crackles frequently (every 5 to 10 seconds) during capture and playback.

If I connect the VCR directly to a TV, audio is fine. If I capture TV signal (via coax to capture card), audio is fine. If I connect VCR to line in on audio card, audio is fine. It's only when I connect to the composite inputs (which I need to do when using the programs below) do I get crackle.

I've tried Intervideo Windvd creator and Power Producer Gold and both give the crackle/pop. Sound is on-board Realtek AC97. Capture card is Conexant 23880 Blackbird NTSC dual input.

I'm at a loss as to what could be happening. I called HP, and they recommended updating drivers and then rolling back drivers which I tried, with no success. I've googled this and can't find anyone with the same problem. I've also downloaded ulead on trial, and I can select realtek as my audio device (which I'm not able to do WINDVD or Power Producer). While previewing on the monitor, video and audio (with audio connected to line-in on the audio card) is excellent, i.e. no snapping and popping sounds. HOWEVER, when I go to record, it gives me an error "Error in capturing audio [13011:5:2]".

I would really like to get this working, preferably with WINDVD or Power Producer. What could be causing this? Hopefully, there is someone out there that can help me.

[sctig]

One more thing, I just connected the VCR via coax and set the tuner to channel 3. This time, there was no audio clicks and pops during capture. This makes no sense. I wonder what the problem is related to the composites. Hopefully someone here can help.

[redwudz]

When you hooked up the coax, it supplies a ground to the VCR. So maybe you have a grounding problem? Make sure your VCR and computer is plugged into the same outlet. Also check that your outlets are properly grounded. This is just a guess, though.

[mikiem]

Another guess would be to google on your model PC checking for similar audio prob.

Or try a different set of cables, or try wiggling cables close to where they connect to PC.

Normally all audio goes straight through to your sound card -- the video capture stuff usually just passes it on, sometimes adjusting speed or rate depending on hardware.

I'd imagine the prob would have to be between the vcr & soundcard, so eliminating cables as a prob. is an easy 1st step. Suggest try another set in case the video cable is causing prob. Wiggling the cables close to where they plug in might help to show a bad connection at the input plugs. Googling on your PC might show a known problem with the circuitry or drivers for the capture device screwing up the audio before it passes it on to the sound chip. If it's a grounding prob as redwudz posted, solved by co-ax, imagine you could have both connected at the same time -- most devices allow that anyway.

[sctig]

Some really good ideas... I've tried connecting to the same outlet, connecting co-ax at the same time as connnecting composites, remvoing capture card, installing in a different PCI slot, wiggling cables, changing cables, using shielded cables, non-shielded cables, just about everything with no discernable effect.

I'm beginning to think it's how the capture card passes the audio to the realtek (as was mentioned) which is odd since the coax solution works. You'd think it would pass audio the same way.

Any other ideas/suggestions.

[mikiem]

Try another source? Possible prob with vcr's rca outputs?

Try some/any device between audio from vcr & PC? maybe line level is too high for something in capture card?

Again, just guessing...

[sctig]

I already tried my DVD player with same results.

Putting something between? What do you recommend?

[sctig]

The saga continues. I spoke with HP again today and they want me to a complete system recovery (i.e. back to what it was when I got it). I foresee this taking many hours, with backing up all the files, and freeware and then reloading, and setting up, etc.

For what? I already rolled back and updated both capture card and sound card drivers.

Anyway, I also tried a Soundblaster Live! card today and disabled on-board sound in bios with the same results.

I think it almost has to be the capture card.

Is there any way you can foresee it being software, i.e. do you think a complete system recovery is worth it?

[redwudz]

Well, I'm just guessing, but I can't figure out where the OS would cause your problem. You tried your DVD player, same results. Should rule out the input VCR as the problem. You changed your sound card. Should rule out the sound card as the problem.

Could be something internal to the computer, but why would hooking the coax up cure it?

I hate to say it, but it looks like you may have narrowed it down to the capture card, (Though I'm not sure how it would do that.) or the computer itself.

Since the capture card is easier to change, that would be my next move. But there is still a chance that the computer itself is to blame. But it would be something in the hardware like the power supply or some internal bad connection. I fail to see where reformatting and reinstalling the OS would help. But I would try that before I would for sure point to the computer as the cause.

As I said, just guessing. Don't go crazy just yet. Sorry not to be able to come up with something more positive.

[mikiem]

Cust service folks sometimes have to fill in the blanks, going from step one to two etc. before they can authorize warranty replacement -- though of course I've come across a few who didn't know any other routine.

Once or twice I've (shudder) lied but it got to the next step.

[sctig]

Thanks for all your help mikiem and redwudz. I will keep plugging away and let you know how things turn out. Any other suggestions/comments would be appreciated.

[sctig]

Update: I got a new capture card... same problem.
This is unbelievably frustrating. Maybe bad connection somewhere or a power supply problem, but how am I going to find that?

[sctig]

Grasping at straws.....

I have ASUS PVR-416 video capture card, which has Conexant 23880 capture and Conexant 23416 hardware based encoder. I'm also using Intervideo WinDVD creator where I select the Conexant 23880.

However... when I'm capturing, and Ctrl-Alt-Del to Windows Task Manager, it indicates WCreator.exe is using nearly 30% of CPU.

What is going on here? Could this be causing the problem, i.e is Intervideo software decoding? Do you have any other ideas/suggestions.

Other relevevant info is on board sound Realtek AC97, AMD 64 3400+ CPU, 512MB RAM, 200GB IDE Ultra DMA hard drive, NVIDIA GEForce 5200 graphics.

Look forward to your response as I have been pulling my hair out for a few days now.

[Nelson37]

So if the audio goes direct to soundcard, OK, if coax is used and NO seperate audio connection, OK? I am a little confused by your second post with the VCR connected by Coax, unless you thought the problem was the VCR itself?

The problem would seem to be the RCA-type audio connector on the card, though it would be unlikely to be defective on the replacement card as well, though certainly not impossible..

Most sound cards do not have RCA inputs, what cable are you using for the VCR to Line-in connection, which works, as oppossed to the cable for the VCR to capture card RCA audio, which does not work. This seems to be the only difference here. The external RCA connector on the card, while using the same basic circuitry to pass the audio on, has the additional factor of the connector itself and the cable as the only difference from the Coax connection.

Have you tried another source of audio, to the capture card, for test?

Are these pops very regular, meaning not quite like a metronome but with a definite pattern or frequency? Have you tried various system tasks and/or nearby electrical devices to see if you can have any effect at all? Elimination is not necessary, if you can change it then you can identify the source.

[sctig]

Nelson37, you're not alone. I'm confused by this whole thing too.

To clarify, the ASUS PVR-416 capture card/tuner has RCA (composite) type inputs. It has composite (audio and video) and S-video. It also has "co-ax" input which I normally use to connect Roger's cable up to, so that I can record TV shows on my PC.

It is my understanding that the capture card should do all video and audio capture and I don't know if the sound card is even involved in the process. Regardless, I only mentioned that the capture works fine on co-ax so that you have as much information as possible. To me, that kind of points the finger at either the capture card or something external like grounding.

The capture card has external front (brought by cable inside computer to front of computer) and back inputs both of which are electrically separate (not sure how) but I've done a continuity check with my multimeter and there is no continuity between corresponding front and back. I've tried capture on both sets (front and back) yielding the same results. I've also tried another identical capture card (the inputs are actually connected direct to capture card), so I can rule out the external RCA connector on the card. I've also installed latest driver's and rolled back drivers per HP's advice.

I've also tried my DVD player and connected it to my capture card's composites with the same results, so I've ruled out a problem with the VCR.

I've also tried different outlets in the house thinking it could be a grounding issue, with the same results.

All which leads me to think it is either:
1. a grounding issue (not sure how to check this further)
2. a software issue, IRQ conflict (which I think I've tested by moving the capture card to different PCI slots), device conflict, PCI bus issue, none of which I'm sure to check for further
3. as mentioned above, not sure why Intervideo is being a CPU hog, when the mpeg's are supposed to be hardware encoded, so maybe there's something funny going on there.

Anyway, I could just do everything by coax, but I have a large number of old videos to burn (from family as well), and I want the best quality possible (S-video).

Please help.