Audio Disappears during Video Capture

[sdculp]

I am using DVD Xpress DX2 and CapWiz to capture VHS video. I then trim the ends with Ulead Video Studio 11 and use ShowBiz DVD 2 to create a video show.

After many hours of successful work, a problem has come up. When recording, the video and audio are visible OK in CapWiz. However when I view the file with Nero, WinDVD or other viewer the sound disappears after 5 or 10 minutes into an hour long show. I have tried this over and over, and the problem is consistent. However, if I go to ShowBiz from the CapWiz screen and do the recording in ShowBiz I do not have the problem. Although technically an audio problem, I have put this thread in the capture forum since it happens during capturing. ADS does not answer their e-mail, monitor the chat line or answer the phone, so I can’t get tech support. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what causes the problem and what to do about it?

Thank you.
Stu

[Bjs]

Test:

A: Use another tape and see if the same results can be reproduced.

B: Next is to pass the audio directly to line-in on pc rather than being passed to the dvd express dx2 unit (recommended setup)

C: Please fill in some details on system specs

SIW (system information for windows) > http://www.gtopala.com/

[TeBr]

Did you get any solution? When I am recording too, the video and audio are visible OK in CapWiz. However when I watch the sound disappears between 6 and 7 minutes. I have new Ulead videostudio version called COREL videostudio X2 installed on windows vista. I tested: uninstalled videostudio program and my problem is solved. I don't think that is a good solution because I would like to use my video editing program again ... Anyone have another solution?

[sdculp]

I learned from Tiger Direct, from whom I ordered the item, that ADS has moved. Their new phone number is 1-800-580-5180 and their tech support e-mail address is support@adstech.com. Tech support at their web site is still unresponsive.

They have been very supportive in trying to find out what the problem is. So far I have reloaded the program, upgraded to the Vista version and installed new codecs. I also uploaded two of the “bad” files to their ftp site and they are going to see if there is anything there that is helpful.

Considering that the software operated successfully for several hours before it started losing the audio and that it only occurs with mpeg (not avi) I have been thinking that the problem lies with some kind of hardware/firmware failure on their rather extensive circuit board. I posed this possibility to them when I uploaded the files. That was a week or so ago and I haven’t heard form them so I think I will give them a call.

Then you came along with the same issue, so now I don’t know what to think. Do I understand correctly that when you uninstalled Video Studio that the problem with missing audio in CapWiz went away? I have Ulead Video Studio 11. If so, then it sounds like a conflict between the two software packages. If I understand you correctly that is the case with your system, let me know and I will try it. If that works I will pass the information along to ADS tech.

I think it would be helpful and would appreciate it if you would get in touch with ADS also, so they won’t think it is just my problem they are trying to solve.

Stu

[TeBr]

Hi.

1. "Do I understand correctly that when you uninstalled Video Studio that the problem with missing audio in CapWiz went away? "
Yes, That is correct. I did many videos capture and no audio problem.

But I found another problem but I fixed it - I checked OPTIONS / RECORDING OPTION / DURATION / LIMIT DURATION OF RECORDING TO TIME SPECIFID (I put for example many hours - 4 hours) because: for example, if I am capturing a movie with duration 2 hours, after 1 hour e 20 minutes, CApwiz saves the last minutes in the beginning of the same video file, do you believe?

I have ADs dvdxpress a very long time and I think that it just works well in windows XP. I used it in Xp and programs to capture Capwiz and to edit videostudio 9.

Corel answered me:
"Capture device may not be compatible with this version of VideoStudio X2, since the device is for older driver version. A work around is that you may need to capture using its bundled software and save the video clip into a video file. Then open the video file with VideoStudio X2 and then perform the editing". I think that they didn't understand so well.

ADs Tech support at their web site is still unresponsive too.

You wrote - "Considering that the software operated successfully for several hours before it started losing the audio and that it only occurs with mpeg (not avi)".
I did not try to capture in AVI because I don't like capture AVI quality.

If you have another information please tell me.

[fjrnut]

Hi guys,

Is there a solution to this issue?

My experience was fine for the first weeks of using it, ie not the best quality but I didn't expect too much on that score but then started to lose the audio everytime after 8-10 minutes. I thought I had cracked it when I sat there monitoring the capture and the screensaver cut in. Disabled that but I still lose the audio every time. I only use/have Capwiz so never tried Showbiz. Anyone know if connecting the sound directly to the Linein on the motherboard works. If so I'll just get some converter connectors and just capture video via the box.

[snit3]

I have the same problem with a DVDXpressDX2 capture device. I've used this unit for nearly 3 years without a problem, then suddenly the audio track was missing after about 6-7 minutes. Well, I did some experimenting and found the following:

Regardless of the bit rate, freq, or video quality settings, the audio drops out after one of two audio file sizes is reached; 84Mb or 168Mb. (interesting how one is exactly 2x the other in size) I arrived at this number using 192, 224, 256, 320, and 384 Kbt/sec setting and accurately timing the drop out of the audio.

I've tried everything I can think of to correct this problem, including an uninstall/reinstall of the CapWiz software that came with the DVDXpressDX2 hardware and a download of the latest version of the software.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[fjrnut]

Hi Snit3
I've used this device on XP for a few years with no issues but now I'm on Vista and getting this audio drop out. I can't go back and test on XP but could this be a vista driver issue?

What OS are you running??

[snit3]

Hi,

I've been using XP (SP2) for 3 years on a HP Media Center PC. I started using the DVDXpressDX2 right away and its worked perfectly till about 2 months ago.

After reading your original post, I considered downloading ShoBiz till I saw the $99 price. I checked my Corel Video Studio 12 (which I use for editing) and discovered it recognized the DVDXpressDX2. Unfortunately, it couldn't be accessed. To my amazement, it also discovered I have a Falcon TV card in my computer as well! I split the RF signal coming from my Cable system DVD tuner/recorder and fed channel 3 to the Falcon card.

I just finished recording a half hour show (using the Corel Video Studio software, which is only $29) without a problem! Do you want to buy a slightly used DVDXpressDX2?

[fjrnut]

I have been thinking that that is the only solution...bypass the DVDXpress audio input and use an alternative input. I will try that when I have the time. It just pi$$es me off that these products are on the market and there is no support.

Buyer beware and all that

Regards,

[ghoofie]

Anyone ever solve this ? It just started happending to me. Between 6-7 min. as stated above, the audio drops out on my captured files. I recently isntalled VS PRO X2. I got the ADSTECH with bundled CapWiz and VS9. It has worked perfectly since 2006. I have tried several reinstalls, even removed Video Studio, both versions, but can't get it to work anymore.

[ghoofie]

Sorry, I should mention I just installed CapWiz on a laptop that has never had it on before and it works perfect. I compared drivers, DirectX , etc and everything matches my desktop, but it only happens on the desktop. At least I can capture with my laptop for now.

[fjrnut]

Hi Ghoofie,

Welcome to the mysterious CapWiz lost audio club

What OS and versions are on your desktop and laptop?

[ghoofie]

Hi Ghoofie,

Welcome to the mysterious CapWiz lost audio club

What OS and versions are on your desktop and laptop?

Both my desktop and laptop are XP SP3. I have registered and submitted
the problem to adstech.com, but from what I see, they aren't gonna be helpful.

[ghoofie]

I got it !! Maybe...

So I followed the idea above and uninstalled Video Studio 9 and Video Studio PRO X2. At that point though, it still was cutting off audio at the famous 6:23 point. In previous attempts of uninstalling I deleted any remaining folders left from the uninstalls of ULEAD (Video Studio)... THIS TIME, as I was looking through file folders I found that there was a ULEAD folder under my DESKTOP listings. I deleted that folder and voila...I just successfully capture two recordings over 6:30. One is twenty minutes, no loss in audio. BUT...I haven't installed VS PRO X2 back onto my desktop yet....so next we'll see if that does anything. I'll keep you all posted.

[ghoofie]

Here's an update. I installed VS PRO X2, and the problem came back. It definitely has something to do with Video Studio and the fact that the ADSTECH device came bundled with VS. Once again I completely uninstalled PRO X2 AND CapWiz...then reinstalled CapWiz and it works properly again. For now, I guess I'll capture on one computer and edit on another. I doubt ADSTECH or VideoStudio will offer any help or updates.

[fjrnut]

Thanks for that. It certainly looks promising. I have ended up with loads of video capture freeware on my PC so when I get a chance I will delete everything and try an instal of only CapWiz. Don't when that will happen though.

I have another PC dedicated to a couple of webcams with video capture stuff on it but don't want to mess with that as one of them is a weathercam and is used too often by the public to be messed with.

Let us know if you think this is the long term solution and thanks for your input,

[GSP_87]

I would try turning off the anti-virus before launching the capture software, even if you set the anti-virus program to exclude certain programs.

[ghoofie]

I would try turning off the anti-virus before launching the capture software, even if you set the anti-virus program to exclude certain programs.

Not sure why ? Hasn't been a problem for the three years I have been using the capture software.

[GSP_87]

I would try turning off the anti-virus before launching the capture software, even if you set the anti-virus program to exclude certain programs.

Not sure why ? Hasn't been a problem for the three years I have been using the capture software.

I could be totally wrong, but I think anti-virus software can block scripts or certain files or certain services from running that the capture program depends on. If the problem didn't exist before, it's possible a recent anti-virus program update now blocks certain things it didn't use to. I think anti-virus software can also mess with the proper installation of programs.

I had problems with capping large mpeg files where Ulead DVD MF 6 could not make use of. It would act like it's processing, but would just stay at 3% for a very long time. I stopped having this problem after I'd exit Kaspersky before launching the capture software and before I'd launch Ulead. Note I didn't say pause the auto-protect or adjust the exclusions settings. I said exit.

[ghoofie]

I would try turning off the anti-virus before launching the capture software, even if you set the anti-virus program to exclude certain programs.

Not sure why ? Hasn't been a problem for the three years I have been using the capture software.

I could be totally wrong, but I think anti-virus software can block scripts or certain files or certain services from running that the capture program depends on. If the problem didn't exist before, it's possible a recent anti-virus program update now blocks certain things it didn't use to. I think anti-virus software can also mess with the proper installation of programs.

I had problems with capping large mpeg files where Ulead DVD MF 6 could not make use of. It would act like it's processing, but would just stay at 3% for a very long time. I stopped having this problem after I'd exit Kaspersky before launching the capture software and before I'd launch Ulead. Note I didn't say pause the auto-protect or adjust the exclusions settings. I said exit.

The thing about that though is that it captures properly for awhile, 6 min 30 sec, approximately, as other posters have also experienced. I did try a capture with my antivirus auto-protect off but didn't try exiting. I'm not even sure how to exit my McAfee virus suite.

[ghoofie]

Oh...also, I have been emailing back/forth with Corel techs...and finally had a phone conversation today. Guess what the tech finally said...Well in order for you to capture properly, you will have to use two computers. One to capture with old version, one to edit with new software. Great !!

[Daxchicago]

Also encountered the "Audio drops out at 6:13". ADS support did respond to my email, but were less than useless as they "Deemed the issue closed" while suggesting I record into a format other than MPEG2. Thanks guys (Why bother?).

Came to the conclusion that there was a software conflict between the CapWiz operating software and the Ulead VideoStudio software that also came with the device. Unistalling everything and reinstalling just the basic CapWiz software didn't help. I ended up running a USB extention cord to a different computer, loading just the CapWiz drivers, the basic CapWiz software, and the necessary DivX software, and I was immediately back in business.

Note: I have since loaded Ulead DVD MovieFactory onto the original computer in order to edit captured recordings and burn them to DVD. An absolutely oustanding piece of software. Transferring the unedited recording file from one PC to the other for editing/burning via my wireless network is time-consuming, but it's a workable solution. A second solution is to pump your VCR signal into a Hauppauge tuner card and use that as a capture device. Using the S video hook up into the Hauppauge tuner card will give a very good quality capture end result. Using a co-ax cable connection won't.

If you're not already stuck with an ADS box, just go with a Hauppauge tuner card instead.

[sdculp]

I finally gave up on the lost audio problem and do all my capturing in ShowBiz which you can get directly to from the CapWiz software. The only problem I have had with ShowBiz is that it will sometimes detect a copyright from a home VHS and stop recording. In that case you have to back up, start short of the stop point (which never seems to stop at that point, again) and then splice the segments.

ShowBiz does not like MOV files. Although it will “take” them, you run into trouble when trying to make the thumbnail—it comes out blank. Also, the MOV tapes will only play for a few seconds. Best to change them into mpg files in Video Studio 11.

When rotating a video, if you use Windows Movie Maker, I find that WMM is fussy about formats. But WMM changes the aspect ratio of the picture and it may be too fat. There is a fix for that, but a better program to use is the new one, “Video Flip and Rotate”. VFR leaves the format in AVI, so it may have to be changed. In general, I have had nothing but trouble with MM, even after adding the “fix” .