VirtualDub shows H.264 as black screen

[banksters]

Hi there, recently I picked up a new camcorder which records videos with the H.264 codec. After finding out I couldn't open them in VirtualDub, I looked up the stuff I needed in order to do that, and got the essential plugins for VirtualDub. Now, whenever I open up the files, they just come up as black screens in vdub. The files play fine in WMP and other media players.

BTW, read this thread https://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/virtualdub-and-h264-no-error-t364681.html
and tried to do exactly what the guy in that thread did, but it didn't work for me. Deleted MP4 plugins that conflicted with the quicktime plugin, and instead I got a green screen with sound on vdub, which crashes right after I preview the clip.

[jagabo]

When you open the file in VirtualDub enable the "Ask for extended options after this dialog" option. Then try the different Video Decoder Mode options.

[banksters]

When you open the file in VirtualDub enable the "Ask for extended options after this dialog" option. Then try the different Video Decoder Mode options.

Where can I find this option?

[poisondeathray]

At the bottom of the open dialog box

do you have a vfw h.264 decoder installed?

you can install ffdshow and enable h.264 in the configuration (gold icon, not red icon)

[Placio74]

Use ICM Decomp mode.

If VfW codec is installed, VFW mode is used by default - however... H.264/AVC wideo (from MOV/MP4) is not correctly decoded (green or black screen).

[jagabo]

I set the quicktime import plugin's default to "Mode=2" in QUICKTIME.INI. That seems to work for most MP4 files.

[Placio74]

Decomp Sequence (Mode=2) is default mode, but only sometimes decodes correctly.
Rather use ICM Decomp for H.264/AVC and MoviesTask for other.
VFW mode may be useful with M4V, 3ivX, Xvid or DV video.


BTW
In QTSource plugin/filter for Avisynth, default mode is MoviesTask. Unfortunately QTSource does not support ICM Decomp. I do not know why in Quicktime Import plugin for VD Decomp Sequence is default mode (may mistakenly...). Unfortunately project is not developed since 2007.

[banksters]

I set the quicktime import plugin's default to "Mode=2" in QUICKTIME.INI. That seems to work for most MP4 files.

This solved the problem. Thanks for your help, guys. =]

[jagabo]

If mode 2 doesn't work for a particular source you can still use the "ask for extended options..." option to select another.

[dvdfever]

Hi, I'm not loading in a file first before seeing a black screen, but using Veedub64 in Win7, I go to 'capture AVI' and just get a black screen there instead of the PC desktop.

I've tried various Video Compression options from the main menu but really can't figure this one out. Can someone help, please.

Cheers, Dom

[jagabo]

I don't think VirtualDub's built in screen capture device works in Win7. Use UScreenCapture instead.

[dvdfever]

I don't think VirtualDub's built in screen capture device works in Win7. Use UScreenCapture instead.

Hi, thanks for that. I've just downloaded it but didn't realise it needed to work within another program rather than just run by itself. Can you recommend one to go with it, please?

[jagabo]

It's a screen capture driver. You can use it in VirtualDub the same way you use the built in capture driver. After switching to capture mode select Device -> UScreenCapture.

[dvdfever]

Thanks for that. I tried recording some test stuff and got some odd results. The Stella Atari VCS emulator was in quarter-screen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph47OCYLzRA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-GZ-ODFgDk

And when I tried to record from MAME it bypassed it completely. Do you know of a way to record those, please? Ta.

[jagabo]

Those programs are switching the screen resolution to 640x480 or 800x600. Tell UScreenCapture to capture a smaller area. Use Video -> Capture Filter... to set the size and position.

[dvdfever]

Those programs are switching the screen resolution to 640x480 or 800x600. Tell UScreenCapture to capture a smaller area. Use Video -> Capture Filter... to set the size and position.

Thanks. I've sorted out the screen res, but after trying several things I can't get it to capture any audio. The only option for anything under Audio is Decklink Audio Capture, but it's not running through my Blackmagic Intensity Pro card and I can't get it to find anything else, and there's nothing under Audio source or Audio input.

Also, I still can't record anything from the MAME emulator. It captures what I'm doing on the PC right up until starting a game (which then changes res to 640x480) and then to Veedub64, it's like there's nothing worth capturing at all.

Do you know a way round these two, please?

[jagabo]

Under Audio -> Audio Input I have Master Volume. That's whatever sound is going to the speakers. It should work for you.

Don't know about MAME. Try Windowed?

[El Heggunte]

Also, I still can't record anything from the MAME emulator. It captures what I'm doing on the PC right up until starting a game (which then changes res to 640x480) and then to Veedub64, it's like there's nothing worth capturing at all.

Do you know a way round these two, please?

Games are "best" recorded with FRAPS.

[dvdfever]

Under Audio -> Audio Input I have Master Volume. That's whatever sound is going to the speakers. It should work for you.

Don't know about MAME. Try Windowed?

I've not got that option. Don't know why

Haven't tried Windowed before, but I'll look that up.

Thanks to El Heggunte re: FRAPS. Unfortunately, that doesn't record MAME either and I don't know why.

[jagabo]

I did a quick test with and old version of MAME and was able to capture from it in Windowed mode. MAME itself didn't work right in full screen mode -- I have a dual monitor setup so that may have been confusing it. What exactly happens when you try to record MAME? Are you getting the same black video? Is VirtualDub not recording at all?