Video Capture Device: Cable length question (affects stalling?)

[iwc101]

I searched this topic here, but didn't find anything addressing this subject. I also did some back and forth with ADS Tech support, but didn't get a satisfactory answer.

I have an ADS Tech Instant TV Deluxe video capture device (has its own encoder, saving the CPU). I have it connected to my VCR with short composite (RCA) cables, but use a 15-foot long USB 2.0 cable to my PC. When doing some video capture with the supplied CapWiz software (either playing a tape or live TV through VCR), sometimes the device will "stall" during the recording process. Meaning that the video stops being received by the PC (just a still frame is displayed) and the capture light on the device will blink very slowly, rather than the rapid blinking during normal capture. This rarely happens when I use the software's preset capture levels of DVD-4 Mbps, DVD-6 Mbps, or DVD-9 Mbps. However, when I use a custom encoding bitrate, it usually happens; and usually within 30 minutes.

I have the most recent update to this software (from the ADS Tech website) and the quality of the MPEG II video file is quite good (given that I use a high enough bitrate for the type of video I'm capturing).

does anyone have any ideas as to why this problems occurs frequently when using a custom bitrate? Would I be better served by relocating the capture device closer to the PC and using long composite cables (15-foot) with a short (3-foot) USB 2.0 cable?

Thanks for any help!

[minidv2dvd]

depending on the device the max cable length can be 3 or 5 meters - around 10 or 16 feet. wouldn't hurt to try a shorter run.

[redwudz]

USB is maxed out at about 15 ft according to the USB specs, AFAIK. As mentioned, I would try a shorter USB cable to see if that makes a difference. A longer composite cable may be a better choice than a longer USB cable. Or you can try a USB extender and see it that helps.

Or it may just be your OS decided to use the USB port for other reasons and interrupted the transfer. If you have any other devices on the USB ports, I would also unplug them and see if that makes any difference.

[edDV]

If a shorter USB Cable doesn't help, it may be the nature of the beast.

The ADS Tech Instant TV Deluxe is a hardware MPeg2 encoder. It may have less efficiency in other than the pre-set bit rate modes.

I'd Google for other user comment or you could complain to ADS support.
http://www.adstech.com/media/mediafiles/CeBIT_305_MC_Cert.htm